[CnSky]

Cant seem to find any info on this.

Next stop is calling BMW but I figure I can't be the only person wondering about this so perhaps someone knows.

My late 2017 G30 new to me has every extra in the option list except for rear screens and TV.

Cameras all round etc etc.

Can BMW drive recorder be enabled or can it only be used on the latest model with I drive 7.

Was going to pay for BMW to update all module software to see if it's possible.

I understand it is a purchase on the connected drive store website but at the moment isn't available for my car but is that because my software is 2017 or because I'm not on I drive 7 so can never get drive recorder.

I see a few online comments that software even in iDrive 7 vehicles has to be to a certain standard but can older me model vehicles with the correct hardware go to that level?

Prefer drive recorder to a dash cam, think BMW are missing an opportunity here as I can't be the only one that wants this.

[LogicalApex]

This isn’t an option on your car. It is only available on MY2021+ cars that are LCI. As it requires both iDrive 7 and “SP18”.

Why BMW limits it? That’s their pattern I guess.

[Dheeth-G80]

Originally Posted by CnSky

Cant seem to find any info on this.

Next stop is calling BMW but I figure I can't be the only person wondering about this so perhaps someone knows.

My late 2017 G30 new to me has every extra in the option list except for rear screens and TV.

Cameras all round etc etc.

Can BMW drive recorder be enabled or can it only be used on the latest model with I drive 7.

Was going to pay for BMW to update all module software to see if it's possible.

I understand it is a purchase on the connected drive store website but at the moment isn't available for my car but is that because my software is 2017 or because I'm not on I drive 7 so can never get drive recorder.

I see a few online comments that software even in iDrive 7 vehicles has to be to a certain standard but can older me model vehicles with the correct hardware go to that level?

Prefer drive recorder to a dash cam, think BMW are missing an opportunity here as I can't be the only one that wants this.

Yeah I went on connected drive to see if we can but we can't, there's more to this than meets the eye type of thing haha but I would totally want it too

[Glenn McF]

I have a 2019 G30 540i and would love to be able to use “Drive Recorder” just like my wife’s 2021 G23 430i. When we were picking up her ride I asked the sales manager if his service dept could make it happen, after checking with his people he came back with, yes, and that it will cost $1,000 parts and labor. That number seemed a bit hard to swallow given that my ride is fully equipped with all the needed cameras. It was only a $100 add on for the wife’s ride as it too has all needed cameras already installed. Now as I think about it, I might ask them to go for it if that means I get idrive 7 in the deal.
I’m thinking he may not actually be able to follow through if I decide to pull that trigger. The piece of mind I would get in today’s drive environment is worth the $1k.

[CnSky]

I would love to know more considering a good dual camera 4K system install is 700 anyway so for the extra 300 having it built into the car would be great.

If it resulted in I drive 7 all the better.

Keep us updated.

[LogicalApex]

Originally Posted by Glenn McF

I have a 2019 G30 540i and would love to be able to use “Drive Recorder” just like my wife’s 2021 G23 430i. When we were picking up her ride I asked the sales manager if his service dept could make it happen, after checking with his people he came back with, yes, and that it will cost $1,000 parts and labor. That number seemed a bit hard to swallow given that my ride is fully equipped with all the needed cameras. It was only a $100 add on for the wife’s ride as it too has all needed cameras already installed. Now as I think about it, I might ask them to go for it if that means I get idrive 7 in the deal.
I’m thinking he may not actually be able to follow through if I decide to pull that trigger. The piece of mind I would get in today’s drive environment is worth the $1k.

I am not aware of anyway to retrofit iDrive 7 from BMW. But even if you could it would likely just be iDrive 7 Lite which doesn’t get drive recorder. It has all the hardware since it only requires iDrive 7 and a USB drive plugged in to capture recordings. But BMW limits it because that’s what they love to do it seems.

I bet the service department is planning to install BMW dash cam. Which is probably better than drive recorder anyway. I use a BlackVue camera.

https://www.shopbmwusa.com/PRODUCT/6...ED-CAR-EYE-2-0

[CnSky]

If that is the case don't get the bmw advance eye even the sales guy in my local dealer said it's crap and huge issues with the system shutting down due heat and software glitches. Not worth it.

Logicals blackvue system is a great alternative tempted to get one myself.

Now if they do have some way to retrofit drive recorder would still be interested to hear how!

[Cabbage]

For it to be integrated into iDrive 7, you must have an LCI model with the Parking Assistance Plus Package.

[Glenn McF]

Originally Posted by Cabbage

For it to be integrated into iDrive 7, you must have an LCI model with the Parking Assistance Plus Package.

As a newish BMW guy, I don’t know/understand all of the common acronyms. Could someone tell me what the “LCI” model is. I would love to be able to find a list of BMW codes/acronyms so I could understand more of what I’m reading. Thanks in advance.

[IrishG30Guy]

Originally Posted by Glenn McF

As a newish BMW guy, I don’t know/understand all of the common acronyms. Could someone tell me what the “LCI” model is. I would love to be able to find a list of BMW codes/acronyms so I could understand more of what I’m reading. Thanks in advance.

LCI - Life Cycle Impluse, a BMW term for facelift or update to existing series. Life cycle inventory, part of a life cycle assessment.

With 5 series anyway they updated the front and rear and newer infotainment.

[Glenn McF]

I spoke to the parts manager again and told him that I would like to retro fit the Drive Recorder system to my 540i, he changed his story now. He says “anything is possible” but that BMW does not make a kit to simply install, that I would need a long list of parts changed, and that it would cost thousands of dollars.

I guess that now I will simply have to wait for “Bimmertech” to drop something.

[LogicalApex]

Originally Posted by Glenn McF

I spoke to the parts manager again and told him that I would like to retro fit the Drive Recorder system to my 540i, he changed his story now. He says “anything is possible” but that BMW does not make a kit to simply install, that I would need a long list of parts changed, and that it would cost thousands of dollars.

I guess that now I will simply have to wait for “Bimmertech” to drop something.

Honestly, just grab a third party dash cam. You’ll come out far cheaper and with better equipment anyway.

[CnSky]

Agree with Logical get a 4K rear and front camera installed professionally with a battery setup to record when parked as they include motion sensors.

It's a much better system than anything BMW supply including drive recorder only downside is it's not built in but the systems are designed to be unobtrusive.

I have seen the drive recorder output and the advanced eye they are not great quality.

Try BlackVue site.

[Glenn McF]

Originally Posted by CnSky

Agree with Logical get a 4K rear and front camera installed professionally with a battery setup to record when parked as they include motion sensors.

It's a much better system than anything BMW supply including drive recorder only downside is it's not built in but the systems are designed to be unobtrusive.

I have seen the drive recorder output and the advanced eye they are not great quality.

Try BlackVue site.

I will check it out, thanks.

[goat milk]

Don't pay $1k to have it installed. The quality is crap, especially when all 4 cameras are recording. The size is tiny and the quality is crap. It's "better than nothing", but it's useless. It won't pick up minor bumps and stuff, it would probably record in a hard collision, but you can get yourself a much better quality front/rear dashcam installed for a lot cheaper.