Reversing camera

[keiron99]

We're due to pick up our (used) Mini this Saturday. It's a 2018 reg automatic convertible.

It has a fancy screen in the dash - the original Mini one, with satnav etc. It also has a reversing camera, however, I'm told by the dealer it's an aftermarket one.

There's a fault with it, in that whilst it does show an image on the screen for about 6 seconds after engaging reverse (auto btw), the screen then goes blank.

Not a major problem for me, but my wife really wants a proper functioning camera!

Now, the dealer says he can get it fixed, but there's a 3 week wait for that, OR he'll knock £500 off.

I'm tempted to take the £500...the wife less certain...but to help make up our minds, does anyone have any thoughts on what the problem might be and whether there's a cost effective solution such that we could take the £500 and get it fixed for less? (The concern is that it may cost more than £500...)

Edited by keiron99 on Wednesday 23 February 15:17

[un1eash]

I'd take the £500, aftermarket could be anything from a cheap eBay job to a retrofit kit but can't believe it would be that hard to fix.

When the screen goes blank does it switch back to the previous view or stay on the reverse mode screen? Could be losing power after the 6 seconds.

[keiron99]

Thanks. I can't recall exactly how the problem manifests (we pick up on Saturday),...I think the screen just went black.

It does sound like it should be an easy fix, but the dealer, which is an independent Mini specialist, was unable to fix it.

Tellingly, I've also emailed about 8 companies this week who on the face of it you would think would be interested, and only 1 has bothered replying with a vague message.

(Any thoughts on how it might be losing power?)

Edited by keiron99 on Thursday 24th February 10:12

[un1eash]

It all really depends on the system. I've fitted a few after market cameras and usually power them from the reverse light. Some headunits then switch to reverse base on recieving a signal and some need a trigger wire.
Would have to see what camera is installed and how it patches into the OEM system.

[esuuv]

I might be barking up the wrong tree entirely here but I think all F57 convertibles have a camera as standard - with the roof up or down the view out the back is pretty poor.........

Just had a google - from here in 2016

https://www.mini.co.uk/en_GB/home/mini-news/mini-h...

"Introduced in March 2016, the new MINI Convertible is more dynamic, stylish, practical and refined than ever before. Priced from £18,475, it features a fully electric roof that’s quieter and more refined, boot volume has been increased by 25 per cent and there is now more space for rear seat passengers. Exceptionally high levels of standard equipment differentiate MINI Convertible from its competitors - MINI Visual Boost Radio, MINI Connected, Bluetooth, Rear Parking Distance Control and Rear Reversing Camera are standard across the range."

Assuming of course you are UK based as I guess different specs in different countries......

The rear camera is actually fairly useless - the back of the car gets really dirty really fast (especially this time of year) - so often the image is blurry at best.......

Edited by esuuv on Friday 25th February 12:11

[keiron99]

Thanks. That's really interesting. I thought it was odd that it didn't have one as standard - I'm not sure where the dealer got the idea it was aftermarket. I;ll look closer tomorrow when I pick it up.

Can't really find anyone interested in fixing it. Even the main official dealer round here isn't interested. They say you can't get OEM replacements, which seems odd.

You are right about them getting dirty though - I have one on my Lexus and give it a wipe with a wet thumb as I walk by it to get in!

[keiron99]

Thanks for all the help everyone, sadly, disaster has struck. The car in question, which we were due to collect yesterday, has been destroyed in a major fire at the place we were collecting it from. You couldn't make this stuff up. We're gutted but not half as much as the poor so and so's whose businesses have been destroyed.

[esuuv]

Oh no - sorry to hear that - probably hasn't done the reversing camera a lot of good.......