Hi all I decided to upgrade my idrive to Linux with CarPlay as we need it these days with the mobile phones becoming part of our lives. It comes with a reverse camera as well, but the challenge i am seeing is how to route the cables through the tail gate?? @GoNz0 did you do yours? Thx.
Having seen someone do this on an E61 (back when I still had one) yonks ago whilst overseas, from memory I think you realistically have two options. Option one: route the cabling behind the dash, up the A pillar, along the roof and through one of the tailgate hinge cable runs into the tailgate innards, to mount the camera over/in place of one of the plate lamps. Option two: behind dash down to floor, under carpet into trunk side space, along to centreline and flush mount camera centrally in bumper. Obviously the mounts are different and options will depend on camera you have + location you want, but I remember the picture the guy had from the bumper mounted one was surprisingly good.
Well, my camera is the type that is integrated into the door handle to open the tailgate. So I think the best possible route is as you mentioned in option 1, but ideally I will pass it on top of the roof, meaning I need to drop it off, which technically I still need to do, as in the past heatwaves here 42-45 degrees Celsius in the shade (of course in the sun it was much more), the headliner sagged badly . I looked a bit at the hinges, and the 4 of them are being used by some kind of wiring from the factory. It will be very difficult not to make it look OEM.
Before you start pulling stuff apart, one thing I noticed when I got a similar item as part of an Android screen replacement package, was the switch mounting on the OE handle was not present on the camera integrated handle. This meant although the camera handle would fit, trunk opening would then be limited to the driver's button or the fob. Hopefully you have one that is a direct swap, but please check carefully first.
I would advise the purchase of cable rod access kit. I would go for the shorter rods 33cm rather the the 1m versions. Very fexible and make it so much easier for pulling cable through roof liner/A pillar/Dash etc. Its amazing how much use you'll find for them once you have them.
That is really interesting- i never saw them before. I was going to use the one for house wiring…this is better. my concern is that all the four passages for the wires in the tailgate are occupied by the factory wiring. I hope i can fit these new wires somehow. I found out that the roof speakers will give you access to go through these holes.
I did a how to dash cam install on my G21. Viofo A329S & Rear Dashcam Install in a G21 320D | BMWLand Might be helpful. I also have a PDF on headliner removal for a G20, which might be useful to some degree. I have attached it via "Upload A File".
Used to use them for network cable installs in hotels etc, amazingly handy for pretty much everything. They are a bit like if you have your own car diagnostic tool, you suddenly find you have many "friends" wanting to borrow them.
Yes behind the speakers are the loom grommets it passes through into the roof panels then to the channels to the tailgate. 2 of the channels are the rear glass and 2 are the lid so you want the ones to the lid, is the camera wires or coax? The channels clip apart once unscrewed on the tailgate but the wires can be quite tight in them so space is restricted, maybe open both and see if one is better than the other. Also the wires are notorious for snapping where they bend at either end of the channels so I wouldn’t fancy the chances of the new ones. I think if someone has done a write up on repairing the broken wires that will show how they come apart etc
thanks for this; similar to e61. Plan is dash - glove box - a pillar - ontop of roof - to the roof speaker - exit to tail gate - side of tailgate there are covers for wires to enter the tail lights / plate number lights. Still waiting for the camera / linux to come from amazon.de. ; taking ages!
actually that’s my concern about passing through the channels… i think mine were redone already at some point as i bought it when it was 11 years already. I think it is coax and I don’t think it likes to bend but there is not much options to hide them and not bending them…otherwise maybe i will not pass them through the channels but leave them underneath with tie bands
Well, an update on this: I did manage to install the Linux unit - that was not so difficult. The challenge was, since mine has the big doulbe-din unit / I-drive, adding another harness with a big plug was very tight to put in your hands from the ashtray slot and to find the space where to fit everything.... but it eventually went through...all assembled ...and then i released i forgot to plug the Audio Out to AUX cable ... so back all apart and i managed to pass the AUX cable into the centre consule, drill a very small hole in the AUX switch housing sourround, so that all wires are hidden and neath . I hate wires running around - OCD. Overall i am impressed by the LINUX; all controls work. CarPlay is a dream - I can navigate everything through the iDrive controller... You hold it for 3 secs, and it switches to the factory iDrive with perfect resolution, and all works very well. It is also a touchscreen, but that is not comfortable as it is too far away to reach. The camera was a pain. i routed the wires to the glovebox into the A-Pillar, on top of all the packing of both side doors, into the rear pillar, then i had to exit under the tailgate space, into the hinge compartment, and into those channels were the OEM wiring is passing through, into the tailgate and then it was easy. Those OEM wire channels are a pain to open and so flimsy and weak... I only have like 10cm of wire sort of exposed, so I taped it and put in a wire protector shield just to extend the life. Camera is working fine. Being mounted in the handle is not the best angle, but better than nothing! At least I can see the rear of the beast! I will try to post some pictures; I think it is an upgrade worth considering by today's standards.
Here are some pictures; all iDrive functions and steering wheel functions as well. It is a very good upgrade.
Yes, you need it these days with Google Maps and podcasts The only disadvantage so far is that compared with the original iDrive Alpine Screen, this one is too reflective, but I can live with that. This is Linux so it will boot up in 2-3 seconds, and all the hard work needs to be done by the phone.. You need to supply power to the phone, as CarPlay drains 15% in 30 minutes...
You can get matt screen protectors mate, most are trim to size, but sometimes you will find them for the car, test fit 1st, trim if needed (found one https://www.amazon.co.uk/brotect-Protector-Anti-Glare-compatible-Infotainment-Matte/dp/B0855PJVFD ) Fit it in the house, don't try and do it fitted to the car, it won't end well
