Surround view camera does not show front view

AlexR72 · 06-09-2020, 03:00 PM

Hi all,

Does anyone else have the same issue - my surround view camera does not show me the front of the car. Side and back view are working fine but there is nothing upfront. I had a call with my local BMW service center and they said it's an expected behavior. I find it hard to believe. I'm uploading the picture of what I'm seeing. Please let me know if you have the same issue.

Thanks,
Alex

Qsilver7 · 06-09-2020, 03:14 PM

Where is the actual front view to come from? There's no camera on the front side of the f06/f12/f13. The cameras are in the side view mirrors (top view cameras) and the rear cam (rear view camera)...and if you have the option...there are cameras on each side of the front fenders (side view cameras) that give a side view for oncoming traffic for when you're pulling out from a parking space or a cross road that has limited visibility. Again, there's no camera pointing forward on this model used for surround view...so the image you posted is what you get for surround view on this model.

(well...I guess BMW could have used one of the cameras that reads the road signs and high-beam assist...but unfortunately they didn't.)

AlexR72 · 06-09-2020, 04:06 PM

thanks for your reply! I got the side fender camera so I naturally assumed that BMW finished the job and equipped this model with the front view. I guess nothing is perfect

bimmer12 · 06-10-2020, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

(well...I guess BMW could have used one of the cameras that reads the road signs and high-beam assist...but unfortunately they didn't.)

Probably not the right angle to show what's in front of the front bumper. It's somewhat surprising that they put 6 cameras on these things (rear, two under the side mirrors, two on the fender, and the sign reading camera) and couldn't be bothered to put a front cam.

AccordTR · 06-10-2020, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bimmer12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

(well...I guess BMW could have used one of the cameras that reads the road signs and high-beam assist...but unfortunately they didn't.)

Probably not the right angle to show what's in front of the front bumper. It's somewhat surprising that they put 6 cameras on these things (rear, two under the side mirrors, two on the fender, and the sign reading camera) and couldn't be bothered to put a front cam.

The front cameras are actually in the bumper too, not in the actual fender as mentioned. Seems odd they would put them on each side of the bumper but not in the front of the bumper.

iamvanja · 06-10-2020, 01:30 PM

Stumbled upon this in case someone is interested in having a bit different styled spoiler.

https://www.carid.com/2015-bmw-6-series-spoiler/

elvisisdog · 06-10-2020, 03:04 PM

The front two are to help you pull out of junctions because it's bonnet/hood is so long. In the UK these are pretty useful for some of our more quaint little villages. They are pretty useless at night 😉

elvisisdog · 06-10-2020, 03:05 PM

I'm assuming the camera in the windshield is infra red and hence not incorporated into the surround view.. just a thought..

bimmer12 · 06-10-2020, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elvisisdog

I'm assuming the camera in the windshield is infra red and hence not incorporated into the surround view.. just a thought..

I don't think it's infrared

hugo_nz · 06-10-2020, 04:13 PM

Full surround view came on cars like the f15 x5 where there's a camera in the grille. The fender cameras on the 6 are for side view to help see cross traffic.

The camera in the rearview is for lane keeping, high beam assist etc.

MMMM6GC · 06-17-2020, 12:24 PM

Bimmertech are one company which offer a front view camera: https://www.bimmer-tech.net/category...amera-retrofit

Drawbacks are:
1- Camera itself isn't too expensive but the cost is all in the Bimmertech MMI module. It's really only cost effective if you're purchasing their carplay/android auto, then select the camera as an add on

2 - It will not integrate with the existing surround view / native parking view. You have to hold a shortcut button to switch to the front-view only camera, overriding the surround view

06-09-2020, 03:00 PM	#1
AlexR72 New Member 5 Rep 5 Posts Drives: 2017 BMW 640 XI GC Join Date: May 2020 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (0)	Surround view camera does not show front view - is this normal Hi all, Does anyone else have the same issue - my surround view camera does not show me the front of the car. Side and back view are working fine but there is nothing upfront. I had a call with my local BMW service center and they said it's an expected behavior. I find it hard to believe. I'm uploading the picture of what I'm seeing. Please let me know if you have the same issue. Thanks, Alex Attached Images
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06-09-2020, 03:14 PM	#2
Qsilver7 Major General 4430 Rep 7,475 Posts Drives: F06 650ix GC / F15 X5 50i Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Indiana, USA iTrader: (0)	Where is the actual front view to come from? There's no camera on the front side of the f06/f12/f13. The cameras are in the side view mirrors (top view cameras) and the rear cam (rear view camera)...and if you have the option...there are cameras on each side of the front fenders (side view cameras) that give a side view for oncoming traffic for when you're pulling out from a parking space or a cross road that has limited visibility. Again, there's no camera pointing forward on this model used for surround view...so the image you posted is what you get for surround view on this model. (well...I guess BMW could have used one of the cameras that reads the road signs and high-beam assist...but unfortunately they didn't.) __________________ 2015 F06 650ix Gran Coupe`(Moonstone/Cohiba Brown)\| 2014 F15 X5 50i MSport (Space Gray/Mocha) Become a BMW CCA member! Click HERE to join and feel free to use my BMW CCA member #191509 as a referral. Last edited by Qsilver7; 06-09-2020 at 07:01 PM..
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06-09-2020, 04:06 PM	#3
AlexR72 New Member 5 Rep 5 Posts Drives: 2017 BMW 640 XI GC Join Date: May 2020 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (0)	thanks for your reply! I got the side fender camera so I naturally assumed that BMW finished the job and equipped this model with the front view. I guess nothing is perfect
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06-10-2020, 01:30 PM	#6
iamvanja Lieutenant 167 Rep 407 Posts Drives: 2015 640i GC white on red Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Phoenix, AZ iTrader: (0)	Stumbled upon this in case someone is interested in having a bit different styled spoiler. https://www.carid.com/2015-bmw-6-series-spoiler/
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06-10-2020, 03:04 PM	#7
elvisisdog Second Lieutenant 34 Rep 209 Posts Drives: F06 MSport 2013/09 Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	The front two are to help you pull out of junctions because it's bonnet/hood is so long. In the UK these are pretty useful for some of our more quaint little villages. They are pretty useless at night 😉
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06-10-2020, 03:05 PM	#8
elvisisdog Second Lieutenant 34 Rep 209 Posts Drives: F06 MSport 2013/09 Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	I'm assuming the camera in the windshield is infra red and hence not incorporated into the surround view.. just a thought..
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06-10-2020, 04:13 PM	#10
hugo_nz Lieutenant Colonel 3179 Rep 1,824 Posts Drives: BMW iX Xdrive40 MSport Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Auckland, New Zealand iTrader: (0) Garage List 2022 BMW IX [0.00]	Full surround view came on cars like the f15 x5 where there's a camera in the grille. The fender cameras on the 6 are for side view to help see cross traffic. The camera in the rearview is for lane keeping, high beam assist etc.
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06-17-2020, 12:24 PM	#11
MMMM6GC First Lieutenant 275 Rep 333 Posts Drives: M6 GC Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: USA iTrader: (4)	Bimmertech are one company which offer a front view camera: https://www.bimmer-tech.net/category...amera-retrofit Drawbacks are: 1- Camera itself isn't too expensive but the cost is all in the Bimmertech MMI module. It's really only cost effective if you're purchasing their carplay/android auto, then select the camera as an add on 2 - It will not integrate with the existing surround view / native parking view. You have to hold a shortcut button to switch to the front-view only camera, overriding the surround view
	Appreciate 0 Quote