Front dash camera stolen - where can I get a new BMW Advanced Car Eye?

[yober]

Hi guys
Does anyone here sells used BMW Advanced Car Eye front camera?

[CeEl]

Try ebay … there seem to be lots of sellers (on the US ebay anyway)

[yober]

Of course I did see these cameras on ebay.
There they sell full sets : front camera +back camera +wiring harness
In my car the front camera was stolen.
All I need is the front camera only.

[W37V]

How the heck someone steals a front camera? Did they remove the bumper?

[The Libertine]

Originally Posted by W37V

How the heck someone steals a front camera? Did they remove the bumper?

Wonder the same as well?

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by yober

Hi guys
Does anyone here sells used BMW Advanced Car Eye front camera?

My suggestion would be to pull up this camera in one of the online part databases...then get the actual (and correct) 11 digit BMW part nbr for this camera based on your VIN.

Once you have the correct 11 digit BMW part nbr...you can then call your local BMW dealership's parts department to get a price quote...as well as do a google/internet search using the 11 digit BMW part nbr. Just type BMW xx xx x xxx xxx (where x = the BMW part nbr) and you should get results of vendors selling the camera. You can also get more specific and add eBay or other auction sites...as well as amazon.com

For example, I just pulled up the diagram using a 2015 F15 X5...and I assume you are referring to #1 in the diagram and link to the part nbr database below:

http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/F1...view#9352788_1

[alphaod]

I don’t see how they can steal this. I had to remove the top of my bumper with the hood open to get replace my camera.

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by W37V

How the heck someone steals a front camera? Did they remove the bumper?

I'm not sure if OP is referring to bumper front camera. He wrote "BMW Advanced Car Eye front camera" - which is this:

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=03_4151

https://www.ebay.com/itm/GENUINE-BMW...kAAOSwQGZaqDcy

It's hard to find in USA as it's prohibited in USA.

OP has a damaged vehicle that was in a major collision. So I guess broken windows as well and probably someone took advantage and stole the camera.



P.S. And yes, I know it's not relevant to what OP asked, but yes, I can steal your front camera that is in the bumper in 5min without removing front bumper, but with removing 1 front grill. I can do it in 2 min if I'm not going to care about your grills and just yank them out. Just did a front bumper swap and camera can be unplugged in 5sec, add 10 more seconds to grab the front bumper and create a gap big enough to unplug camera: https://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1551820 The problem is I won't be able to make living on that, so have to stick to good old medschool

[yober]

Originally Posted by DuSh

I'm not sure if OP is referring to bumper front camera. He wrote "BMW Advanced Car Eye front camera" ...

It's hard to find in USA as it's prohibited in USA.
...

Correct, this is the recording camera as in that YouTube video. The front camera was stollen while the car was towed after the accident. The part # is 66-21-2-359-954. One seller on eBay sells the whole set, which is more then what I need.
I did check with one US dealership and they said that this camera not allowed in USA. Then I checked with another US dealership and they said that 8 cameras are on back order and will arrive in one month or so.
Meanwhile I am trying to see if anyone here sells used front recording camera.

[TheUltimateDrivingManiac]

It’s crappy camera anyway, why not to replace it with a decent one?

[P1]

Good point. Might as well just get a decent one.

[DuSh]

Yeah, I agree with a better aftermarket dashcam. It makes no sense nowadays to even consider anything less than dual dashcam. You need 360 coverage, not just front. My wifes car was hit and run in the back quarter panel on parking lot. I ordered a dual dashcam with parking mode that has sensors for both cameras facing front and rear and will turn on if it detects motion. It has to have a external battery pack for that or be wired to car battery, but this is the only way to protect your car and have 24/7 coverage 360 degrees. Basically you'll have video evidence that it's not your fault and you are 100% not at fault (whether it's for insurance or police)- this is the main reason to have dashcam (and not because you will use it in court to blame someone). Just saying.

[yober]

Any pointers to the best camera would be appreciated.

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by yober

Any pointers to the best camera would be appreciated.

This is what I ordered 3 days ago for my wife's car. Not too expensive, but all options I need. It has a good Sony sensor and Parking mode motion detection. Plan is to either hardwire it to car battery for 24/7 parking mode motion detection or purchase an external battery pack that I can connect camera and battery pack itself will be recharged via 12v socket during driving. I'm still not sure what's the best way to do it yet.

https://www.amazon.com/N2-Pro-1920x1...e+n2+pro&psc=1

[TheUltimateDrivingManiac]

Originally Posted by DuSh

It makes no sense nowadays to even consider anything less than dual dashcam.

As far as I remember BMW AE is dual.

[yober]

Originally Posted by TheUltimateDrivingManiac

As far as I remember BMW AE is dual.

Correct it is dual, there is rear camera as well in BMW AE set. Seems like I don’t need any aftermarket replacement.
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F191987949975

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by yober

Correct it is dual, there is rear camera as well in BMW AE set. Seems like I don’t need any aftermarket replacement.
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F191987949975

Does it have Parking mode motion activated from both cameras (front and rear)? It could be just me, but that option was main reason why I bought dashcam. Otherwise imagine you came out of work or grocery store and see your x5 has a nasty dent on rear quarter panel. Someone was backing up and hit your car. No note on windshield, no one saw anything. Very expensive repair (on the verge of totaling car). Yes, you will call insurance and start the blaming game - who's at fault and by how much. As well as the fact that many insurance companies will one way or another make up that amount from your premiums later. However, by having a clear video of another car hitting your car and driving away - you'll clear up your side of story and be 100% not at fault. The rest is not important (doesn't matter if they will catch another car or not).

[yober]

Of course it has the Parking mode motion activation.

[yober]

Originally Posted by DuSh

This is what I ordered 3 days ago for my wife's car. Not too expensive, but all options I need. It has a good Sony sensor and Parking mode motion detection. Plan is to either hardwire it to car battery for 24/7 parking mode motion detection or purchase an external battery pack that I can connect camera and battery pack itself will be recharged via 12v socket during driving. I'm still not sure what's the best way to do it yet.

https://www.amazon.com/N2-Pro-1920x1...e+n2+pro&psc=1

did you install your new dashcam? do you like it?

[ajob]

I wonder why the BMW Advanced Eye dashcam has such a bad reputation.

The one I have was installed three years ago by BMW - under their BMW Accessory warranty - and it works fine.

Its PC software is easy to use, shows both front & rear camera & position concurrently.

It has all the main features I need. Main reason I chose it is that the installation is BMW's responsibility.

Two things to note:

- I painted the front camera's front with black matte paint, it makes it much less visible from outside;

- I spent five minutes deciding exactly where to place the front camera (just left of the rear view mirror, as high as possibile) so that I can easily actuate the "protected recording" button that will put one video minute in a special folder, starting 30 seconds before pushing the button.

[9mmkungfu]

Originally Posted by ajob

I wonder why the BMW Advanced Eye dashcam has such a bad reputation.

The one I have was installed three years ago by BMW - under their BMW Accessory warranty - and it works fine.

Its PC software is easy to use, shows both front & rear camera & position concurrently.

It has all the main features I need. Main reason I chose it is that the installation is BMW's responsibility.

Two things to note:

- I painted the front camera's front with black matte paint, it makes it much less visible from outside;

- I spent five minutes deciding exactly where to place the front camera (just left of the rear view mirror, as high as possibile) so that I can easily actuate the "protected recording" button that will put one video minute in a special folder, starting 30 seconds before pushing the button.

No idea. I have had v1 of this camera and it works great. Agree with all of your points. My only gripe is I don't think I can view the video using "standard" video player software, only the included software.

[SCA]

A newer version (2.0) was launched in the U.S. this past spring.