Hi looking for preowned R500 with backup camera -- rare beast, since cams were only in 2007 with P2 as I understand it.

Got me wondering -- can you add a rear view camera to the 2006? And if not, is it possible to add to a 2007 that didn't come equipped with one?

Thanks

Gavin,

Take a look at this site: www.midcityengineering.com

I, too, am interested in a retrofit. My 2007 came w/o the camera. There's a discussion thread on the subject.

MidCityEngineering is located in Chicago I think. Sadly, I'm in VA and don't have any near-term plans to travel to Chicago for car work. My list of retrofits includes the rear-view camera, foglights, HID headlights, and memory seats. If MidCityEngineering opens a branch in the DC-Metro area, I'll be a regular customer!

JR

Dealer will tell you no. Mid-city is a place I'm really interested in, but like above I don't see myself traveling to Chicago any time soon.

TV Nav to Go or something like that also does video and back-up camera products, that they sell and a local shop can install. I haven't seen any of their products in hand or in use, but for those of us w/out back-up cameras and who thought they would be able to easily upgrade the accessories, we know that we take what we can get.

I think I saw on Steve's site, that he did an ML63 that didn't have it...required cuting and stuff, so it's a bit pricey. I think he quoted me like 1500 or around there for my 06.

I e-mailed midcityengineering..but no one replied...any ideas?

I will try to take some pics of my aftermarket setup tomorrow.

Sorry for not replying sooner.. I just noticed this thread.

2006 R class can absolutely be retrofitted for backup camera. it would look and operate as factory. The command would need to be shipped to us where we would add the camera input board and program the command to turn it on. Then a local shop of your choosing can do the camera installation with instructions we provide. The total cost for the backup camera with installation is about $1200.

Thanks Rob!

That info opens up my search quite a bit... will be in touch if/when I find a vehicle. By the I am in Boston MA....

Is there anyway I can install such stuff myself. I live in Los Angeles and if ship the command to you which means I will park my car in garage for 2 weeks at least.
Do you have authorized dealer around southern California?https://mbworld.org/forums/images/icons/icon5.gif

Hi Folks,

Joining this thread very late (!!!)...but did anyone ever get (have and can share) the instructions for retrofitting the reverse camera in a 2006 R class? Particularly running the lead from the back of the COMAND unit to the tailgate.
Thanks.
Leigh

Remove tailgate panel. Run cable underneath roof headliner to the front driver door pillar. Run cable underneath trim down the pillar, across the bottom of the driver kick panel, and then to the COMAND unit.

Many thanks for this.
How do you get the cable into the tailgate? Is it easy to thread through the rubber tube with the other cables or...? Thanks.

Pushed it through with a lot of patience, it was not easy.

I think at one point I ended up ripping the cable so I just cut the ends off, ran the cable through, and then spliced it back together inside the tailgate.

Many thanks. Did you have to take the plug off and rejoin / solder the wire once it was in the tailgate?

That's what I ended up doing. Was far easier that way than to try and push the plug through.

Many thanks. I’ll give it a go!