*DIY Rear Camera install w/Pics - Centered Location
 

First of all… Thanks To:thankyou::
Rick Hunter… for your great install with Pictures & RCA extension recommendation.
TJ @ MidCity Engineering… good tip in putting the camera cable in the headliner. Took only 10 minutes!Guess that made up for the long time I spent on tucking away all cables in the front… You weren’t kidding when you said it was difficult installing this with the Factory iPod kit!)

I went a little different route than Rick… I wanted to see if I could get the camera centered a little more and higher up to conceal the camera.

If you haven’t seen Rick’s post… READ IT FIRST! https://mbworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=254208
I do not reference what he has already gone over…. This install is in a different location than his.

This is in no way a replacement for Rick’s post… He did a GREAT job:y and inspired me to do this. Think of mine as a supplement to his….

Car Specs… 2008 C350, P2, MM, Factory iPod kit, uhhh the rest I don’t think matter?
**Additional item I used not included in the kit: 12’ RCA extension so I would not have to wire the camera ‘stuff’ in the front.

I make no claims that this is the way to do it or warranty this install in any way… if you choose to follow this, it is on your own accord and I accept no liability. I agree with Rick Hunter (who I do not claim to know, but like what he posts!:)) and hope this DIY encourages others to write more DIY’s. This Post is just to document how I personally installed this kit! (:(Sad that we have to put in these disclaimers now days!)

Here is my DIY on the install of MidCity’s Reverse Camera Kit w/Video in Motion.

I basically started from the front. Installed the VIM in the dash – *see MidCity Engineering install video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_5Fkawy-_g. Ran the RCA extension to the drivers side ‘A’ pillar. Up and over the headliner. Fed the RCA jack to the trunk. Wired up the power & ground to the reverse light harness. Then played with the camera mounting and alignment. Here we go!

Attachment 384704

I chose to mount the camera in the center most cut out location. The reason behind my logic was the camera would be more concealed (higher up) by mounting it to the trunk instead of the decorative piece. You can see this in the 4th picture where others mount it to the plastic. I got another 1/4 inch higher by mounting it to the trunk!

Attachment 384705

Put masking tape on the outer edges you will be doing test fittings often….. I know, a stupid step….. Until you scratch the car!

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After decorative piece is removed…

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I removed the yellow snap pin and got ready to make the camera mounting hole. This snap pin is not needed there are two (2) Torx screws (1” to the left & 2.5” to the right). Basically there are 8 mounting locations for this piece… I think it can loose one!

Attachment 384708

Tools for camera hole… Drill, Multi-Step Bit, Files (flat & round), Grinder / Dremel and PATIENCE!

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The hole is elongated for a reason… after a few test fits I realized that I could get it a little higher & not pinch the camera wire.

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It’s very important to not get to carried away & cut the decorative piece alignment tab! Because it lines up with the alignment pin in the picture below.

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I used the existing hole, so I would not have to drill the car to install the camera mount. I drilled a hole at the front of the camera mount and bolted it in to the car.

Attachment 384712

I also took off the double stick tape and just put a little piece of masking tape (alot thinner & protects the paint from scratches) which got me almost a 1/4 inch higher!

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Went back and forth with the grinding to get it evenly spaced. There is some fudge factor with the bolted mount.

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I ran the wire where TJ (MidCity Engineering) suggested above the drivers side headliner…. This was the fastest part of the install! Literally 10 minutes! From removing the top half of the door molding, running the wire (gets held in by the insulation, i.e. no rattles)

Attachment 384715

Just like Rick’s Post the same outer wires but this is on the Drivers side.

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I decided to tie wrap the camera ‘unit’ so that it appears professional.

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You can see how low it is….. Not to bad though.

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After adjustment… you can still see it but does not look out of place…

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I can see more dirt on my car than the camera….

.

Continued......
 

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The results……

Thanks for looking and hope it helps give another option for the camera location…. It takes a little longer but I’m happy with the results….



P.S….. I just got the Illuminated Door Sill kit from the dealer and will be doing a DIY on that soon… here are some pictures.


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Looks like a very clean job

Very nice install, and I prefer the more central camera mount. Can't wait to see your door sills.

Very nice DIY very clear photos!! I didnt know there were pre-groved mounting sockets to begin with.

can't wait to see your illuminated door sill DIY!

Hey great place to mount the camera :y

Thanks guys!.... I should get to the door sills on friday... by looking at the control unit and rellays it should take me at least an hour... i'll let you guys know....

syrAMG... yup the pre-groved mounting sockets must be for something?:confused: the one on the right looks like it is where the factory one would have gone. Thats where all the others have installed there's from what i have seen. I posted this because I could not find anyone using my location to install the camera

Anyone here install the factory door sills?

i think you are the first to try DIY door sills... good luck, very excited about the forthcoming DIY

GREAT job! :y

Good job bro

:bow:RESPECT:bow:

Very nice writeup mate! Install looks very clean, and the image is definitely more centered than my getup. You get what you put in, and you did an awesome job!:y

Now after this thread... there is absolutely NO reason why anyone wouldn't want to do this. Go out there and mod away!!!

Thanks again... qlaval, rb23lb, micropower99 and Rick Hunter!

Won't get to the door sills till friday... install time is like 3.8 hours (book time) so it'll take my meticulous butt like 4.5 hours!:duh:

What I wish Midcity would now make would be something like the 'night vision' in the 07-up S-class... you know the infrared factory one!

:bow:

definitely need to do this.

I don't actually have a C yet, but I was thinking about getting one in the next few weeks. Is it possible this camera could be effected by a car wash? Also, do the lights from reversing the car light it up well enough to see in the dark? Finally, does MidCity also do installations? I live in Chicago and there is NO WAY I could do this myself. Thanks.

Thanks!.... mb_horseshoe

killacam7479..

'Is it possible this camera could be effected by a car wash?'
I washed my car twice... but to my knowledge no one has complained of this... now maybe no one is driving thru the Auto car wash? that's why i wanted my install to be as high (tucked in) as possible. For looks/stealth and less to get banged up... even if I were to take it through an Auto wash (uuhhh... no I wouldn't) i think it would be fine.

'Also, do the lights from reversing the car light it up well enough to see in the dark?'
When reversing in complete darness its better than your naked eye can see... it's a low level light camera... Really good picture!

'..does MidCity also do installations? I live in Chicago and there is NO WAY I could do this myself.'
Yes, to my knowledge they install for local Mercedes dealers.

Hope this answered your questions...

Thanks Vader, appreciate your quick response!

Also, if this really is $750, does anyone else think this is really pricey? I mean the Audi A4 Multimedia package comes with this, and I doubt it plays that huge of a price factor, not to mention you can probably buy that Kenwood camera for like $150...

killacam7479

Well the $750 is not just for the reverse camera function... that's for the Video In Motion(VIM) feature as well. I think they sell the camera and module(no VIM) for less? I think you can get the camera for less than $120.

Guess that depends what you really want? I wanted something plug-n-play, that could be easily installed/removed and good reputation. I also wanted 1 stop shop that I know have been installed. That's why I went with this company... I think there are a few others (NavTV, MBDoc, etc...) that also do it but I think they want even more money?

Yes, the Audi has the camera already. But, if this just about the reverse camera so does Toyota and Lamborghini... I don't want a Toyota and can't afford a Lamborghini (yet...) so for me I wanted the Mercedes and dealt with knowing it didn’t come with the camera. I did know that I could add it though!

Wasn’t being sarcastic but in my opinion Audi is in the middle of the German Luxury See-Saw… On one end :rice:BMW-Sporty 1st , Luxury 2nd ; The other end :cheers:Mercedes- Luxury 1st, Sporty 2nd ; somewhere in the middle is Audi who can’t make up there mind:argue:. Some models sporty 1st then other models Luxury and no sport!:crazy:

Hey Vader,

Thanks for your input. I didn't realize how expensive these add on's could be. I was actually really torn between the new Audi A4 and the Benz, and I've decided on the C (well, I haven't actually bought it yet, but I'm in process). Thanks again.

Great DIY!

Angeloxnet get to work :X

Killacam7479.... yup auto addiction no matter what brand can get real $$$$... They need a support group for us....

Benz addict.... Thanks! Angeloxnet get to work?

hey vadey... how is the door sill DIY coming along from last Friday???

can wait to see it posted!!

Door Sills
 

rb23lb..... Man you got me.... I have not installed them. My Bad!.... My only excuse is that I did not have enough time so i delayed it...

BUT have no fear... I'll Post it as soon as I install it!

This week i'm doing the Quad exhaust & C63 diffuser.... let's see if i have enough time....

Thanks man

Beautiful job on the center location. It turned out really nice...

In your door sill kit there are two Stainless panels that are used to cover the existing sill panels. Is there a part number for those?

Ive done the lighted sills on the C. Its not a terribly difficult install but it does involve pulling up lots of panels. The MB techs normally alot about 4 hours to do the entire install but it went quicker than that for me. figure about 3-4 total hours of work as a weekend job.

There were a couple of little things that were not covered in the instructions (like that the mounting holes dont line up for the main module). If anyone has any questions I will be glad to answer them as well. That way we can put together a DIY install guide for the sills.