Contemplating purchasing X5M - Backup Camera Question

[laselvasurf]

I test drove a 2012 X5M this afternoon that was a trade in at a local MBZ dealer. It's in decent shape, has higher miles(140K) and seems to be missing some options that surprised me. The first and most important to me is a backup camera. Is it possible for a 2012 X5M with soft close doors, heated seats, leather dash ect not to have a backup camera? If it is possible, is it something that can be retrofitted(OEM, not aftermarket)? The VIN is: 5ymgy0c5xcll15543

The second thing about the car is that it had a transmission fault when I first started driving. It went away on it's own within 30 seconds or so and I didn't notice anything wrong with how it shifted. I know that's not much to go on, but has anyone experienced similar warning faults?

It's a pretty clean example despite higher the miles, and it's local so I'm contemplating the purchase as long as the dealer takes care of a few scratches and fixes whatever is wrong with the transmission. Thanks for any help!

[Poppyboy]

It is highly doubtful there is no backup cam. Regarding possible trans issues, hook up an OBD reader (yours or theirs) and scan for codes. If any appear, the dealer may claim they’re old/historical, so clear them, drive and re-scan.

[9vapors]

The trans errors might be from them having the battery disconnected. You get those and then it goes away fairly fast as you mentioned

[laselvasurf]

Originally Posted by Poppyboy

It is highly doubtful there is no backup cam. Regarding possible trans issues, hook up an OBD reader (yours or theirs) and scan for codes. If any appear, the dealer may claim they’re old/historical, so clear them, drive and re-scan.

After doing some more research on the backup camera, according to the vin lookup I've been using it isn't an included option in the build. It's hard to believe that a $90K car in 2012 could not have a backup camera... But I think that may be the case!

They are in the process of detailing the vehicle and fixing the scratches I pointed out. Once they finish that, I'll take my OBD reader and see what I can find. Thank you!

[laselvasurf]

Originally Posted by 9vapors

The trans errors might be from them having the battery disconnected. You get those and then it goes away fairly fast as you mentioned

That's what I was thinking too... I've had similar errors with my previous E38s, E39s and even my current E46 M3 and none of them ended up being related to the transmission at all. Hopefully that's the case here, I was concerned the X5M's self diagnostics might be too smart.

[Lunker325]

I retrofitted a backup camera to my 2011 M3 that did not have this as an option at all. I went with Bimmertech as theirs was about as OEM as you could get at that time. Also has the dynamic parking lines which is cool. Install was fairly easy and they did a remote coding session to get the car to recognize the new camera. (They removed the legal disclaimer and activated DVD in motion as a bonus)! Has worked perfectly for 4 years now. It was more expensive than buying all the components and harness separately, but I’m happy with it. I’m sure they have one for your vehicle as well.

[mrsoandso]

I've been looking in to a backup cam for a while. OEM retrofit is the least problematic but most expensive.

I'm trying to figure out if there's a way to get a $30 ebay cam + emulator to work from reading forum posts, but there's not much info out there. There's a lot more info in the 3/5 forums.

[laselvasurf]

First, thank you everyone who responded! It seems like worse comes to worse I'm in it about $700 for a backup camera kit.

I test drove the car more extensively this afternoon. My first test drive was with the salesman and my wife... So it was brief and boring. This time it was just me. The X5M drives incredibly well and has no warning lights at all now. Everything works as it should.

My primary question now is the sound the motor is making after being worked quite hard. It is a high pitch ticking sound that almost sounds like metal on metal. I know that if I heard this on my older E38 740il, I would be a bit scared... So I wanted to ask those that have an X5M(or know them well) to give me an idea of what you think... Here is a link:

https://youtu.be/TwSiTOxiWLQ

I also smelled a hint of coolant after driving it hard for about 40 minutes and stopping. I know this could be many different, things but I thought I'd ask if this was normal as well.

Any input would be helpful! I didn't pull the trigger on the car, mostly because of the engine sound.

[jiggz]

Rear view camera was part of the optional 'Drivers Assistance Package' which this X5M doesn't have per the VIN you provided. This package included rear view camera w/ top view, automatic high beams, and HUD.

This should be standard feature on an X5M, not optional!

[TwinSnailz]

With that mileage, it is expected to have all kinds of leaks. Fixable if you’re handy. This car is not for the faint of heart especially anything over warranty. Ive been chasing the tick on mine for a while and had accumulated a lot of $$. Anything you can’t imagine will break on any vehicle will break on a BMw. Sorry bmw folks its just the fact.

[laselvasurf]

Originally Posted by TwinSnailz

With that mileage, it is expected to have all kinds of leaks. Fixable if you’re handy. This car is not for the faint of heart especially anything over warranty. Ive been chasing the tick on mine for a while and had accumulated a lot of $$. Anything you can’t imagine will break on any vehicle will break on a BMw. Sorry bmw folks its just the fact.

Thanks for the heads up. That's my biggest concern and I definitely don't want it to be a money pit. I'm a fairly capable DIYer when it comes to BMWs, but I also don't want to spend every weekend working on it. I currently own a 2011 X5 35D that has about the same mileage and have maintained it myself for the past 50K without too many issues.

[laselvasurf]

Quick update... Dealer called me yesterday and said it was sold, I missed out and they took the ad down. I was bummed as I do really like it... Then this morning they call again and say it's back on the market as the other buyers couldn't qualify because of the higher miles.

Now I'm back to square one... It's available, I just have to pull the trigger and write the check. If anyone has anyone feedback as to the ticking sound the engine makes, I would really appreciate it as this is really what's holding me back from driving to the dealership right now. Here's the link:

[protecon]

High pressure fuel injectors.

[laselvasurf]

Originally Posted by protecon

High pressure fuel injectors.

Thank you for your response! So this is a normal sound from the S63?

[9vapors]

Sounded like pretty normal injector tap... seems as we were too late to respond.

There are often ones for sale on here as well, but use cars.com or car gurus to find one. Also, if you have a CarMax nearby, I believe that I heard that they do free delivery to the closest car max to you, so if you find one at a carmax out of state. Doesn't hurt to be patient to find one that has been maintained well. Good luck!

[Molez93]

Originally Posted by 9vapors

Sounded like pretty normal injector tap... seems as we were too late to respond.

Good luck!

+1

Could not have labeled it "injector tap," but that does sound much like my old '10 which had 103k and a little like my '11 with 105k.

That alone would not worry me. Being mentally and financially prepared for regular $1k+ service events is probably more important. ;-)

[TwinSnailz]

I was wondering if those tapping or ticking was heard inside the cabin while you’re driving?

[laselvasurf]

Originally Posted by 9vapors

Sounded like pretty normal injector tap... seems as we were too late to respond.

There are often ones for sale on here as well, but use cars.com or car gurus to find one. Also, if you have a CarMax nearby, I believe that I heard that they do free delivery to the closest car max to you, so if you find one at a carmax out of state. Doesn't hurt to be patient to find one that has been maintained well. Good luck!

Thank you for the confirmation! I actually almost bought one from a member here, but he unfortunately listed it on ebay and bids were placed, so he had to sell it there as per ebay's contract. As for looking at cars.com, I've been searching that site often for quite some time. Finding an X5M with under 100k for under $25k anywhere near the west coast has been extremely challenging. Though the car I'm looking at has higher miles, it is a one owner car and has been well maintained by the BMW dealership. Because of the miles and low price, I think I'm going to just plan on putting $5K or so aside to resolve any immediate issues.

[laselvasurf]

Originally Posted by TwinSnailz

I was wondering if those tapping or ticking was heard inside the cabin while you’re driving?

No, not at all. I only heard it once I opened the hood and really inspected the motor.

[laselvasurf]

Originally Posted by Molez93

+1

Could not have labeled it "injector tap," but that does sound much like my old '10 which had 103k and a little like my '11 with 105k.

That alone would not worry me. Being mentally and financially prepared for regular $1k+ service events is probably more important. ;-)

Haha... Thanks for the mental + financial warning! I've owned BMWs for 15 years so I'm used to the more expensive services. I do enjoy doing some of the work myself though. I've got an E46 M3 and X5 35D that haven't been to a shop in a couple years(knock on wood) as I've taken care of everything thanks to DIY guides on sites like this one.

[smass]

I just retrofitted a camera to my E90 and the online instructions will also work fine for the E70. I used my E70 to test things when I ran into roadblocks on the E90.

This one has been for sale for a while. Might be worth a call. Nobody wants a black car in FL. https://jacksonville.craigslist.org/...780318862.html

I lived in CA a few years ago and east coast prices are a few grand cheaper. If you never have driven across country you must do it before the electric cars take over .

[laselvasurf]

Originally Posted by smassey321

I just retrofitted a camera to my E90 and the online instructions will also work fine for the E70. I used my E70 to test things when I ran into roadblocks on the E90.

This one has been for sale for a while. Might be worth a call. Nobody wants a black car in FL. https://jacksonville.craigslist.org/...780318862.html

I lived in CA a few years ago and east coast prices are a few grand cheaper. If you never have driven across country you must do it before the electric cars take over .

Thanks, it seems like a fairly easy diy to get the backup camera installed from my research, though since most X5s came with them there isn't a ton of x5 specific installation guides.

That car in Jacksonville looks really nice actually. If it was local, I'd buy it immediately. Unfortunately I don't think I can spend the time making the cross country drive at this point. It's exactly what I'm looking for though... So it's tempting. I'm txting with the owner concerning a few questions I have about it, so we'll see. Thanks for sharing it!