[cheekoo]

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Got a new to me, used 530i and noticed front camera view wasnt clear. Thought it is dirty but upon closer inspection, found that the camera is chipped. Probably a perfectly positioned rock hit it.

What are the solutions? How expensive is the camera itself if we were to replace?

Can a professional use a high grit sandpaper and polish it to make it "smooth" ?

[SkykingUSA]

Not sure if you still have a warranty on the vehicle, but I'd start by taking it to the dealer. If it's under warranty, get it fixed. If it's not, ask them for a written estimate to fix it. You could possibly use that estimate to get prices elsewhere at other dealers or third-party shops.

Really bad luck. I have not seen that before. Congratulations on your "new to you" car!

[cheekoo]

The car still has warranty, but it is "clearly to me" a case of damage on road. Will they still cover it?

[Blue Sky]

My observations watching people deal with night vision camera lens chips and front facing radar housing damage on BMWs and Porsches is that road damage isn’t covered by warranty, arguably correctly so. Unfortunately there are often are no replaceable sub-parts which could be easily and cheaply replaced and the usual experience is that entire thing is sold as one (sometimes quite expensive) part and the car company is no way going to give you a new one for free, so expect to buy a replacement to remedy the problem.

[dubb13]

I agree the dealer will not replace that for free. My question is did you just get the car?
I'm sure you looked it over but that is something that could be missed during your inspection

[SkykingUSA]

Originally Posted by cheekoo

The car still has warranty, but it is "clearly to me" a case of damage on road. Will they still cover it?

You're right - probably not covered for free, but at least you'll get an estimate that you can shop around. If you're lucky, it won't be too costly (call me an optimist).

[RichardInCA]

It can’t hurt to ask. I recall seeing in one of the other threads where there was a question about replacing the silver for the black grill, that the whole grill assembly comes apart in a modular way, so I think it would be somewhat straightforward to just swap out the camera module, although I’m sure that there are a couple of hours of labor in that assumption.

[cheekoo]

you all are right! Doesnt hurt to ask. I will ask and post back
Thanks everyone - i appreciate everyone's willingness to help

[ToddRGuy]

Originally Posted by cheekoo

you all are right! Doesnt hurt to ask. I will ask and post back
Thanks everyone - i appreciate everyone's willingness to help

Here’s something you could explore. I’d call the parts department just to verify that the part number is correct. All of the various cameras available on eBay appear to be somewhat “universal” in regards to position (e.g front, back, rear). It might be something you can do yourself. It does appear as if replacing the lense itself is out of the question as it’s a housed unit.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/33582658168...mis&media=COPY

[Blue Sky]

Sensors have to be calibrated, that’s always the roadblock to just replacing the unit yourself. TIS used to have the procedures for older cars, and I think ISTA could perform it, but without constructing the necessary calibration targets (lines on the ground usually ) and having the software support to do it, you still have to go to a shop to perform the procedure, so why not just have them do the entire job?

[dubb13]

Iv seen a BMW in my parking garage with a cracked camera lense so this does happen I feel they don't make that glass very durable

And Parts and labor fron BMW will not be cheap

[JohnOuick]

Originally Posted by Blue Sky

Sensors have to be calibrated, that’s always the roadblock to just replacing the unit yourself. TIS used to have the procedures for older cars, and I think ISTA could perform it, but without constructing the necessary calibration targets (lines on the ground usually ) and having the software support to do it, you still have to go to a shop to perform the procedure, so why not just have them do the entire job?

I agree for the windshield camera but from experience on g20, the 360 "calibrate" automatically.
I had one camera really missaligned in the 360 view and just read somewhere that i need to reverse park in a parking spot to "aligned" them. I was pretty doubtful but it solved the issue.

but i don't know if it would require any coding for it to be "recognized".
I switched the grill on my G20 which was a piece of cake, but on the g60, between the radar sensor, iconic glow, camera and camera washer, that's probably more of a challenge.

Never hurt to get a quote.

[cheekoo]

Originally Posted by ToddRGuy

Here’s something you could explore. I’d call the parts department just to verify that the part number is correct. All of the various cameras available on eBay appear to be somewhat “universal” in regards to position (e.g front, back, rear). It might be something you can do yourself. It does appear as if replacing the lense itself is out of the question as it’s a housed unit.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/33582658168...mis&media=COPY

yes! I saw that too.

Now I need to figure out how to take of the grill. Do we have any DIY guides here for that?

[Blue Sky]

Good luck, let us know how it goes. Try to avoid taking off the radar as some risk of needing calibration. I see in manual reference to camera self-calibration so you may be ok on that, but no info about radar.

[ToddRGuy]

Originally Posted by cheekoo

yes! I saw that too.

Now I need to figure out how to take of the grill. Do we have any DIY guides here for that?

I haven’t seen one, but there’s another post where a guy did work to do an iconic grill retrofit. I’m wonder if he’d be able to point you in the direction of some disassembly directions?

[Bemik]

I had this happen mine as well. Mine was cracked enough that water got into the lense. Talked to the dealer and the replacement was $1,300. Instead, I thoroughly dried and cleaned it and then used a special kind of super glue made for repairing crystal glasses. So far it has worked and the image is clear.

[cheekoo]

Originally Posted by Bemik

I had this happen mine as well. Mine was cracked enough that water got into the lense. Talked to the dealer and the replacement was $1,300. Instead, I thoroughly dried and cleaned it and then used a special kind of super glue made for repairing crystal glasses. So far it has worked and the image is clear.

Nice! Lucky you

[Blue Sky]

Seems like this camera retails about $375, so $1300 is pretty steep.

[AiredaleDad]

Originally Posted by Blue Sky

Seems like this camera retails about $375, so $1300 is pretty steep.

It depends on your technical ability. If you want BMW to do it for you they will charge more. If you are able to do it yourself, then just buy the camera and replace it yourself. There is probably a U-tube about it already.

[cheekoo]

Originally Posted by AiredaleDad

It depends on your technical ability. If you want BMW to do it for you they will charge more. If you are able to do it yourself, then just buy the camera and replace it yourself. There is probably a U-tube about it already.

Very fair thing you said! But unfortunately no YT or DIY guide for removing the grill
I ordered a a dremmel and related items to try to sand/buff it before I replace it as the last option. Lets see how that goes. But my weekend's gonna be busy!
Any words of advice from the wiser folks? I plan to tape the heck out of closeby areas so I dont need to replace the whole grill

[AlteBMW]

Collision insurance could cover this but with the usual deductiible it wouldn't make sense to put in a claim.

[JohnOuick]

Originally Posted by cheekoo

Very fair thing you said! But unfortunately no YT or DIY guide for removing the grill
I ordered a a dremmel and related items to try to sand/buff it before I replace it as the last option. Lets see how that goes. But my weekend's gonna be busy!
Any words of advice from the wiser folks? I plan to tape the heck out of closeby areas so I dont need to replace the whole grill

Someone overhere swapped is kidney grill with some explanation if you want to try to go the ebay camera way:
https://g60.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=2109871