jayres

This is just a hope of a post to see if anyone has had any success with installing a useful backup camera into their E350 that actually works. My 2013 wagon is a dream car and an advanced automobile; however I am STUNNED that the camera system on the car is Neanderthal at best! I had the dealer update the software and aim it to the maximum allowed and it still shows a Horrible picture that makes one wondering which car they actually got into. No guidelines, no distance markers, NOTHING to help the driver and a fisheye view that stunningly useless. The dealer Service Manager, who has been there for 40 years and whom I know very very well, told me that I am stuck with this POS on a car that cost $63000 new.My question to the forum---after the well-deserved rant at MB---is Has Anyone replaced this POS with a real camera that provides guidelines and distance markers etc.? Cheap-a*s RV's have excellent cameras so I can't see why we can't put another unit in there. Being new to the model I am not familiar with what signal the little camera is sending but I Cannot accept that it is a proprietary MB signal. It has to be PAL or NTSC and a common voltage etc.

So can anyone help?

Aktash

I doubt you'll find what you are looking for. Replacing camera itself may be possible but that will only change picture quality and may have different angle to it. The guidelines are in software which we don't have and probably no going to get, to bend them where the car goes will have to be done in conjunction with steering wheel sensor. Proximity or parking warnings are another system that is somewhat independent and probably could be bought/installed aftermarket.
For me I have no issues with mine and only look at screen for obstructions when taking off, and while parking. All other times I just turn my head and it seems to work quite well as with wagon you know where your car ends a bit better than sedans/coupes.
I haven't researched this at all but maybe changing screen to android 10" system and installing aftermarket camera will let you have more customization but thats not cheap by any means

jayres

Thank you Aktash
I don't really need lines of curvy lines or beeps---what I DO need is a camera that gives a fair and proper field of vision. I own an auto repair shop and drive all kinds of cars and all I ask is the the damn $63,000 MB camera give me the same excellent picture that Ford provides on a an $18,000 Focus model or a $25,000 Subaru or a *&%%Hyundai or Chevrolet. It just doesn't make any sense at all to provide a camera that is essentially useless and even worse to expect me to fix it. Pure BS from MB. And Yes, I do the same thing you do which is to turn around and check everything, camera or not. Frustrated I am with this issue.

bionic

Did you ever resolve this issue? I'm frustrated with the camera on my 2014 e350 wagon--useless at night and in many types of daytime weather. I had a 2015 Volvo S60 that gave me a crystal clear, well-lit picture in any environment. The difference is stunning.

Fliplegend

Any chance you guys can post pictures of the camera image? While I don't think the camera on these cars are the best, they aren't as terrible to me as what you guys are describing.

jayres

I also have a 2015.5 Volvo XC70 along with my 2013 E350 shooting brake. Outstanding camera on the Volvo with distance guidelines and a close-up mode!
Camera on the $69,000 E350 is PURE ****E. The images are low resolution, the camera points in the wrong location and is not adjustable and the lens is not the correct wide angle. Such an incredible disappointment.
I believe that it is possible to install a better camera but I don't think the cost would ring true. The dealer laughed at me and acted real stupid. So I just gave up. I have been driving since 1963 and done mostly well without a camera so this crappy one does not ruin my life a lot. Just a little bit.....that being said, my 2103 E350 wagon is the absolute finest car I have ever owned and I am in the auto business so I have had a zillion cars. This one surpasses all others An incredible rock-solid auto that is a dream to drive.

konigstiger

Aside from jayres’s dissatisfaction did you have software updated?

jayres

konigstiger:
I own an auto repair shop. 50 years in business. MB certified tech in 1979.
I have a friend at our only stealership who has been in the shop for 47 years and worked all positions.
When I bought the car I went directly to him and had him update all software; at that time I complained LOUDLY about the sh*%ty camera and he advised
me that there was nothing more they could do. I believe him since he has access to all MB tech notices and recalls and I don't.
I have a customer who just brought in a 2015 Nissan sentra and the camera on his crappy little car makes mine look stupid.
So the bottom line is that they are just bad cameras. Looking for folks to say anything different is fruitless. MB just mucked this one up.

konigstiger

And that’s fine, just asking bionic if he attempted to have software upgraded is all. Apparently it worked for some members.

DFWdude

Completely agree.

I've not had any problems using the back-up camera in my 2016... Large enough picture in the Comand screen, good image to work with, adequate at night, the bending sightlines work great (perhaps a 2014+ facelift upgrade?) Completely fit for purpose. I currently have other cars with much smaller back-up images which are marginally useful.

I don't expect to watch 4K HD movies from my back-up camera. That I expect from the much tinier, 4-inch screen on my Smart Phone (being entirely sarcastic).

And I'm reminded of my previous 45 years of driving without a camera at all.

jayres

I would be interested to know of those members for whom a software upgraded worked were driving 2013 or earlier MB's; and if they were, then please share with me this upgrade.