Pity it’s too expensive for my taste.

-ahd-

Mikey had to order it from Germany, and it included instructions only in German. Luckily the English PDF is here on MotoringFile. My 2006 MCC is arriving in a week and it might be another couple of weeks before I install it.

it looks as if the camera is mounted just a touch off of center…if so, how come?

AWESOME. Too bad I found the install PDF on gomotoring.com after I ordered my MINI. Maybe I could find a wrecked MINI with OEM Nav and retrofit it in? Then add the cam.

Just to clarify, the install PDF was originally posted on MotoringFile over a year ago: Official MINI Rear Camera Retrofit Kit

Another idea would be rear view video for a DVD of say the Tail of the Dragon!

Since the Canadian dealerships sell the rear-view camera retrofit kits in-house, I’m more than sure that they can install it for you too (BTW, there’s no difference between a Canadian MINI and a US one so that won’t matter).

However, be ready for a HUGE shock when you get the bill! I believe that it takes anywhere from 4 to 7 hours to install the camera and, at dealer labor rates, that’s going to hurt for sure. You’ll probably end up paying as much in labor as you will for the camera kit itself.

It’s too bad that you’re so far away from me as I’d be happy to do the install for you for a much more reasonable price than any dealer would/could charge.

I hope this helps some…

Do you know if the Canadian dealers will do an install on the camera for US cars? I’m only a few hours from the Canadian border and would be interested in the camera if they would do the install, as I would be the last person you want tearing up the inside of a MINI. I would have sooooo many extra parts lying around after putting the car back together incorrectly.

The camera kit is indeed listed on Mikey’s web site right here:

Reversing camera for factroy nav – genuine Mini

Enjoy…

It has recently come to my attention (thanks Richard!) that the German dealership mentioned in my write-up is no longer in business. Also, as of today, it appears that the rear-view camera retrofit kits are still not available from MINI dealerships in the U.S. (although I thought that someone had recently mentioned to me that they were???).

However, it now appears that good ol MikeyTheMini of NewMiniStuff.com has stepped up to the plate for us all and is now offering the rear-view camera retrofit kits (66 21 0 392 370), the required additional switchbox kits (66 21 0 303 085), and the optional split screen front-view camera retrofit kits (66 21 0 392 371) for sale (note that you only need to buy one of the switchbox kits even if you want to use both the rear-view and the front-view cameras). Way to go Mikey!

The camera kits aren’t currently listed on Mikey’s web site, but you can send him an e-mail message requesting details on how to order one (his e-mail address is listed on his web site). I’m not 100% sure of the pricing, but I think that they are around £270 (~ U.S. $500) for the rear-view camera, £115 (~ U.S. $215) for the switchbox, and £360 (~ U.S. $675) for the optional split screen front-view camera. Note that you do not have to pay and VAT if Mikey sends the camera kit to you in the U.S.

The camera kits are also available in Canada (direct from the Canadian MINI dealerships), but are probably a bit more expensive due to the Canadian import duty fees. I don’t know for sure though.

I just thought that I’d let everyone know just in case they’re interested.

– MIKE

I believe that the reason for its existence is to provide a better side (left & right) view when approaching an intersection in the very small and tight European city streets.

If you creep your front end into the intersection, the front-view camera will allow you to see if anything is coming long before you would be able to see left or right with your own eyes.

Again though, we generally don’t have this problem in the States since our street intersections are much larger.

All I can tell you is that you’ll never know what you’re missing until you actually drive a MINI with a rear-view camera installed for a while.

There’s a night and day difference between backing my car up and backing up my wife’s (which doesn’t have the camera).

I’ll admit that it sounds silly to have a rear-view camera in such a small car like the MINI, but the difference it makes really is quite amazing. :-)

I was against the parking sensors but I am glad that my little one has them, although the MINI is small top down or top up is almost impossible to see and once the car is dented is dented for good. I don’t see this as an extravaganza but more as a protection for my investment.

Patrick MINI in the Chicago area had a demo MINI with the camera installed. Date was around late Feb 2005 or early March.

I remember backing up out of the parking lot and seeing a rain covered rear view image on the nav screen :)