Back up camera
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2025
Posts: 29
Likes: 4
From: Chicago
2012 S550 Base
Back up camera
I have a 2012 s550 base model, and I need to install a backup camera as I cannot drive without one 😂, im used to driving cars with a backup camera and now I don’t have one it’s a little difficult for me to back up, does anyone have any recommendations for one? I was referred to use one from nav tool
https://*****************/mercedes-benz-s-class-2010-2013-apple-carplay.aspx
or I was gonna get this one
https://www.carintegrations.com/shop/factory-oem-integrated-rear-view-backup-camera-systems/mercedes-benz-s-class-oem-integrated-backup-camera-system/?srsltid=AfmBOop4vxdWG7p_1tJA5Exdm6gcxWptvKyzhuRQL tX5ClS3VUSrz2vho_M
I have a few radio shops that install screens and backup cameras, I just need to figure out which one to go with.
https://*****************/mercedes-benz-s-class-2010-2013-apple-carplay.aspx
or I was gonna get this one
https://www.carintegrations.com/shop/factory-oem-integrated-rear-view-backup-camera-systems/mercedes-benz-s-class-oem-integrated-backup-camera-system/?srsltid=AfmBOop4vxdWG7p_1tJA5Exdm6gcxWptvKyzhuRQL tX5ClS3VUSrz2vho_M
I have a few radio shops that install screens and backup cameras, I just need to figure out which one to go with.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 5,317
Likes: 1,673
S500
OEM will likely be more reliable - nothing about it is difficult or indeed complex - loom is simple and I believe available new, a secondhand camera will save $300
the comand was designed to have it there and working....
the comand was designed to have it there and working....
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 5,317
Likes: 1,673
S500
you can - but if you go to a dealer and ask for them to do everything you will be >$2200 poorer
whereas you could go on ebay cut up and destroy the car, and fit a bit of junk $25
but you unlikely regret the OEM one and the other will be nasty and go wrong after a few months
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw...mera+&_sacat=0
of all those you want the all plastic later better camera like https://www.ebay.com/itm/388960204343?
on your one of these https://www.ebay.com/itm/317753900420?you cut / grind out the hole Left side of the trim bit - to remove this trim you put a small straw type thing to compress the yellow plastic retainers (they look brown on this seven pics down, but are yellow) , then pop the silly clips around its edge
https://nemigaparts.com/cat_spares/e...73/d64/82/611/
https://nemigaparts.com/cat_spares/e...73/d64/54/522/
no idea why they say two - likely a posh camera and a budget option
100 WIRING HARNESS CONTROL UNIT TO OPERATING UNIT AND CAMERA 001 A 22 144 039 10 - $44.33
100 WIRING HARNESS CONTROL UNIT TO OPERATING UNIT AND CAMERA 001 A 22 144 084 06 - $78.78
https://nemigaparts.com/cat_spares/e...73/d64/54/077/
they changed the RFK module on later cars -
whereas you could go on ebay cut up and destroy the car, and fit a bit of junk $25
but you unlikely regret the OEM one and the other will be nasty and go wrong after a few months
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw...mera+&_sacat=0
of all those you want the all plastic later better camera like https://www.ebay.com/itm/388960204343?
on your one of these https://www.ebay.com/itm/317753900420?you cut / grind out the hole Left side of the trim bit - to remove this trim you put a small straw type thing to compress the yellow plastic retainers (they look brown on this seven pics down, but are yellow) , then pop the silly clips around its edge
https://nemigaparts.com/cat_spares/e...73/d64/82/611/
https://nemigaparts.com/cat_spares/e...73/d64/54/522/
no idea why they say two - likely a posh camera and a budget option
100 WIRING HARNESS CONTROL UNIT TO OPERATING UNIT AND CAMERA 001 A 22 144 039 10 - $44.33
100 WIRING HARNESS CONTROL UNIT TO OPERATING UNIT AND CAMERA 001 A 22 144 084 06 - $78.78
https://nemigaparts.com/cat_spares/e...73/d64/54/077/
they changed the RFK module on later cars -
Newbie
Joined: May 2026
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
There are options to add Apple CarPlay and android auto with the factory system and it still allows the factory backup camera. But the issue is it’s not 100% compatible with the factory system. How do I know? I tried to install a device specifically designed to bring CarPlay to the w221.
i decided to remove it because of the side effects of that device and the overall issues it causes outweighed the issues it solved. I bought the Joyeauto brand. First issue was the sound quality of the music. For some reason the device added a little bit of static to the rear speakers and also changed the sound profile of any songs with bass in them. The bass wasn’t as low or as clean. None of the CarPlay module brands mention anything about sound quality. Probably because they know the sound quality will be degraded with their module. Second issue was CarPlay doesnt automatically connect to your phone. I had to go to aux then back to radio and then aux again for the CarPlay to actually connect, every single time I started the car. Sometimes it wouldn’t work and I would have to do the same thing over again. Third, it was very difficult to fit the CarPlay device behind the Cd changer. Almost impossible.
IMHO it’s not worth it. I ended up removing the CarPlay device and now it’s just sitting in my garage. Idk what to do with it.
i decided to remove it because of the side effects of that device and the overall issues it causes outweighed the issues it solved. I bought the Joyeauto brand. First issue was the sound quality of the music. For some reason the device added a little bit of static to the rear speakers and also changed the sound profile of any songs with bass in them. The bass wasn’t as low or as clean. None of the CarPlay module brands mention anything about sound quality. Probably because they know the sound quality will be degraded with their module. Second issue was CarPlay doesnt automatically connect to your phone. I had to go to aux then back to radio and then aux again for the CarPlay to actually connect, every single time I started the car. Sometimes it wouldn’t work and I would have to do the same thing over again. Third, it was very difficult to fit the CarPlay device behind the Cd changer. Almost impossible.
IMHO it’s not worth it. I ended up removing the CarPlay device and now it’s just sitting in my garage. Idk what to do with it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 5,317
Likes: 1,673
S500
There are options to add Apple CarPlay and android auto with the factory system and it still allows the factory backup camera. But the issue is it’s not 100% compatible with the factory system. How do I know? I tried to install a device specifically designed to bring CarPlay to the w221.
i decided to remove it because of the side effects of that device and the overall issues it causes outweighed the issues it solved. I bought the Joyeauto brand. First issue was the sound quality of the music. For some reason the device added a little bit of static to the rear speakers and also changed the sound profile of any songs with bass in them. The bass wasn’t as low or as clean. None of the CarPlay module brands mention anything about sound quality. Probably because they know the sound quality will be degraded with their module. Second issue was CarPlay doesnt automatically connect to your phone. I had to go to aux then back to radio and then aux again for the CarPlay to actually connect, every single time I started the car. Sometimes it wouldn’t work and I would have to do the same thing over again. Third, it was very difficult to fit the CarPlay device behind the Cd changer. Almost impossible.
IMHO it’s not worth it. I ended up removing the CarPlay device and now it’s just sitting in my garage. Idk what to do with it.
i decided to remove it because of the side effects of that device and the overall issues it causes outweighed the issues it solved. I bought the Joyeauto brand. First issue was the sound quality of the music. For some reason the device added a little bit of static to the rear speakers and also changed the sound profile of any songs with bass in them. The bass wasn’t as low or as clean. None of the CarPlay module brands mention anything about sound quality. Probably because they know the sound quality will be degraded with their module. Second issue was CarPlay doesnt automatically connect to your phone. I had to go to aux then back to radio and then aux again for the CarPlay to actually connect, every single time I started the car. Sometimes it wouldn’t work and I would have to do the same thing over again. Third, it was very difficult to fit the CarPlay device behind the Cd changer. Almost impossible.
IMHO it’s not worth it. I ended up removing the CarPlay device and now it’s just sitting in my garage. Idk what to do with it.
