[m3atyg80x]

Hey guys,

I must be the unluckiest guy in the world but I noticed today that my front camera lens was cracked most likely from a rock that flung into my car from one of the trucks carrying dirt (damn Florida).

I asked BMW how much it would cost to replace the camera and they said nearly $1k with parts + labor.

I'm looking on ebay and found a generic icam front camera for $199.

Do you guys know if there is a difference between this -
https://www.ebay.com/itm/35329086268...&segname=11051

and the OEM version-
https://parts.bmwnorthwest.com/a/BMW...6_0518.html#01

What do you guys suggest?

[kgelfen360]

You for sure want to get OEM camera. And if you comfortable doing it it’s not hard to replace. Have to pull bumper but people do it all the time to replace front grill. Easy to YouTube

[Berzerker]

Don't these need to be calibrated as well? Or is that just the parking sensors.

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by Berzerker

Don't these need to be calibrated as well? Or is that just the parking sensors.

Yes, they do, and that’s why the price from BMW is high.

OP, I feel you, but you gotta do this right or you’re not going to have the surround view working right. I had this happen in my Cayenne less than 2 months into ownership. We tried to simply replace the camera, but while it worked and showed an image, the overhead cam view was all kinds of out of alignment. You can live with it like that but I shudder to think what the virtual 360 cam image will be like.

[DO444]

Originally Posted by m3atyg80x

Hey guys,

I must be the unluckiest guy in the world but I noticed today that my front camera lens was cracked most likely from a rock that flung into my car from one of the trucks carrying dirt (damn Florida).

I asked BMW how much it would cost to replace the camera and they said nearly $1k with parts + labor.

I'm looking on ebay and found a generic icam front camera for $199.

Do you guys know if there is a difference between this -
https://www.ebay.com/itm/35329086268...&segname=11051

and the OEM version-
https://parts.bmwnorthwest.com/a/BMW...6_0518.html#01

What do you guys suggest?

I would suggest ya nuts for even asking.
Get BMW to do it.

The end.
$1k is peanuts bro.
Just do it.

I spend $100 easy every time I leave my house. Just stay home weekends for 1 month and there, you’re even.

Always OEM.

But hey, that’s me.
Idk.

If you do go eBay let us know how it works out please.

[m3atyg80x]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

Yes, they do, and that’s why the price from BMW is high.

OP, I feel you, but you gotta do this right or you’re not going to have the surround view working right. I had this happen in my Cayenne less than 2 months into ownership. We tried to simply replace the camera, but while it worked and showed an image, the overhead cam view was all kinds of out of alignment. You can live with it like that but I shudder to think what the virtual 360 cam image will be like.

I haven't had any errors show up but I can clearly see the crack whenever I'm backing up or moving close to objects. Thank god it didn't crack all the way but it's still annoying to have.

It's similar to this fellow but his is much worse.
https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1932405

[m3atyg80x]

Originally Posted by kgelfen360

You for sure want to get OEM camera. And if you comfortable doing it it’s not hard to replace. Have to pull bumper but people do it all the time to replace front grill. Easy to YouTube

I have looked into it and it seems pretty simple to do with a jack and stands. I used to pull my bumper off all the time with my 15' Subi back in the day so I don't think it's that much more difficult. I can't believe that small little part is > $500. I am wondering if there is any kind of calibration that I'd have to do

[kgelfen360]

Originally Posted by m3atyg80x

I have looked into it and it seems pretty simple to do with a jack and stands. I used to pull my bumper off all the time with my 15' Subi back in the day so I don't think it's that much more difficult. I can't believe that small little part is > $500. I am wondering if there is any kind of calibration that I'd have to do

I am not 100% but I don’t think so. There was similar discussion on X5 G05 forum.
This happens. Just sucks but I think u might be able to DYI

[m3atyg80x]

This is the crack.

[m3atyg80x]

Originally Posted by kgelfen360

I am not 100% but I don’t think so. There was similar discussion on X5 G05 forum.
This happens. Just sucks but I think u might be able to DYI

Yeah I was reading a post about it just recently but I'll have replace it one of these days but this time with a PPF clear film over it. It's kind of funny because my car is wrapped in PPF but a rock hit the only place that wasn't covered.

[kgelfen360]

Originally Posted by m3atyg80x

Yeah I was reading a post about it just recently but I'll have replace it one of these days but this time with a PPF clear film over it. It's kind of funny because my car is wrapped in PPF but a rock hit the only place that wasn't covered.

Yea the odds of that is like winning Powerball this week. Lol.

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by m3atyg80x

I haven't had any errors show up but I can clearly see the crack whenever I'm backing up or moving close to objects. Thank god it didn't crack all the way but it's still annoying to have.

It's similar to this fellow but his is much worse.
https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1932405

Same issue I had on my Cayenne. My crack was worse. I thought three was a bug on the lens and got out to clean it only to see this carnage. The red circle is the nick you can see where the rock hit the grille.

There is no error. Even when you replace the camera, it will work but, as I said above….

Originally Posted by m3atyg80x

I have looked into it and it seems pretty simple to do with a jack and stands. I used to pull my bumper off all the time with my 15' Subi back in the day so I don't think it's that much more difficult. I can't believe that small little part is > $500. I am wondering if there is any kind of calibration that I'd have to do

You almost CERTAINLY need to calibrate the system. My Porsche service advisor tried to just install the new camera. It worked but the stitched together image was horribly misaligned. A recalibration was needed to re stitch the images together correctly. BMW’s system is even more sophisticated, I have to believe it needs the same.

If the part lists for almost $600, I’d say $1000 is a fair deal including install and calibration. You could DIY, and see if you get away with it, but I doubt it. You’ll have to find someone to calibrate.

[m3atyg80x]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

Same issue I had on my Cayenne. My crack was worse. I thought three was a bug on the lens and got out to clean it only to see this carnage. The red circle is the nick you can see where the rock hit the grille.

There is no error. Even when you replace the camera, it will work but, as I said above….





You almost CERTAINLY need to calibrate the system. My Porsche service advisor tried to just install the new camera. It worked but the stitched together image was horribly misaligned. A recalibration was needed to re stitch the images together correctly. BMW’s system is even more sophisticated, I have to believe it needs the same.

If the part lists for almost $600, I’d say $1000 is a fair deal including install and calibration. You could DIY, and see if you get away with it, but I doubt it. You’ll have to find someone to calibrate.

Thanks for the heads up. I was hoping I'd get away with it and not have to recalibrate if I just bought the same OEM part but as you experienced I'm sure I would encounter the same misalignment. I'd hate to have that happen on a Porsche though lol. I guess me and you are just one of the few unlucky folks with rocks hitting $$$ camera lenses.

[Forzanerazzurri]

Originally Posted by kgelfen360

Yea the odds of that is like winning Powerball this week. Lol.

This has happened to a couple members at least.

[m3atyg80x]

After a little digging, I found that there is a program called ISTA D that you can download with all the diagnostic and calibration tools and I'm leaning toward learning how to do this myself in case I run into another broken camera. It seems for newer vehicles the functionality is automatic.

Maybe I can put my software engineering skills to use and do something useful for once lol. https://www.bimmerfest.com/threads/r...h-ista.976552/

[OC-M3CX]

If you could find a local ADAS calibration shop they might be cheaper than the dealer.

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by m3atyg80x

After a little digging, I found that there is a program called ISTA D that you can download with all the diagnostic and calibration tools and I'm leaning toward learning how to do this myself in case I run into another broken camera. It seems for newer vehicles the functionality is automatic.

Maybe I can put my software engineering skills to use and do something useful for once lol. https://www.bimmerfest.com/threads/r...h-ista.976552/

Nice!

Originally Posted by OC-M3CX

If you could find a local ADAS calibration shop they might be cheaper than the dealer.

Agree. Reach out to local collision shops, they always have ADAS calibration training and probably would be cheaper than the dealer.

[chris3g]

according to TIS calibration is not required if you remove/re-install, but is required if you replace it. I would probably get the part and install myself and then bring it to an indy shop to get the calibration done.

[ano0oj]

woof, that's expensive. But as others have said, definitely go with OEM -- you will beat yourself up later when a generic cam eventually gives you so many other issues that won't be covered under warranty b/c you didn't go OEM.

[kgelfen360]

How about filling an insurance claim. Maybe cheaper to pay deductible

[m3atyg80x]

Update, I found a used OEM front surround camera from a crashed g80 from another member and so once it comes I'll be installing it myself and using ISTA+ D to run the calibration diagnostics test. The diagnostics software is compatible with my e-sys cable and upon further research it seems that it's a one click function within the KFAS section.

[GregM4]

Originally Posted by DO444

I would suggest ya nuts for even asking.
Get BMW to do it.

The end.
$1k is peanuts bro.
Just do it.

I spend $100 easy every time I leave my house. Just stay home weekends for 1 month and there, you’re even.

Always OEM.

But hey, that’s me.
Idk.

If you do go eBay let us know how it works out please.

Completely agree. If you own one of these cars then a $1k hickup is small.

A few bottles of great wine. Get it done at BMW and you will forget this ever happened.