2009 W211 E63 rear camera option?
#1
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2009 W211 E63 rear camera option?
I've got a 2009 E63 which has the updated Command system and based of reading other posts, has "ntg2.5" (not sure what that means exactly).
I wanted to install a rear view camera which I think would be quite useful. I found a rear view camera on Amazon but wasn't sure if it's just plug and play ( )
After reading quite a few posts, I'm still a bit unclear whether this is possible in my vehicle.
Any prior experience or knowledge in this area would be much appreciated!
I wanted to install a rear view camera which I think would be quite useful. I found a rear view camera on Amazon but wasn't sure if it's just plug and play ( )
After reading quite a few posts, I'm still a bit unclear whether this is possible in my vehicle.
Any prior experience or knowledge in this area would be much appreciated!
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dinnyin (11-10-2020)
#2
Senior Member
After unsuccessful attempts in 3 dealers to code, I had enough, bought a Star clone, enabled the reverse camera on my 09 W211 E63 with NTG 2.5. It works really well. Most effort is to integrate the camera in the lid, lay the wiring. Recommend the right/passenger side lid routing (left can be chewed up by gearing). Pulled +12V from the cigarette lighter lead. Parts are very cheap and available: must get the correct shape NTSC camera (rounded corners up or down), wire, and green Fakra/RCA adapter. Hardware installation takes 2~4 hours depending on skill/experience. Programming is straight-forward once you apply the Developer mode patch, takes 10 minutes or less, Must change 1 drop-down value to enable reverse camera in NTG2.5. The result is indistinguishable from OEM.
Last edited by maxusa; 11-12-2020 at 12:50 PM.
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MbBiturboFan (12-19-2020)
#3
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Wow, thanks for great write up. With free time over Christmas, I decided to get back into trying to install the rear camera.
Where did you purchase the star diagnostic tool from? I understand there are oem and after market ones like on AliExpress/eBay. Those ones sell for about $300-$500 US after searching now. I'm not sure whether that's worth it for me to spend that much for something I'll literally use once. I wonder if there is any other way to install the camera without the star tool on the oem head unit.
Where did you purchase the star diagnostic tool from? I understand there are oem and after market ones like on AliExpress/eBay. Those ones sell for about $300-$500 US after searching now. I'm not sure whether that's worth it for me to spend that much for something I'll literally use once. I wonder if there is any other way to install the camera without the star tool on the oem head unit.
#4
Senior Member
There is a way to code NTG2.5 via a harness adapter, but the cost of the dongle is close to $200. I have one for the Reverse Camera and VIM, bought from Portugal. You can have it for $50 + shipping. You are better off linking up with someone with the STAR system in your area. Most people would do it for free. Ask around the forums. If you are in the Washington DC area, I would help you with coding. You do need the Developer Mode patch to see the full menu options. You can get this done before or after you install the hardware. I also have a new Fakra adapter and the new NTSC camera module. Left over spares from the project. You can have them for $30 + shipping. Hope this helps.
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MbBiturboFan (12-19-2020)
#5
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There is a way to code NTG2.5 via a harness adapter, but the cost of the dongle is close to $200. I have one for the Reverse Camera and VIM, bought from Portugal. You can have it for $50 + shipping. You are better off linking up with someone with the STAR system in your area. Most people would do it for free. Ask around the forums. If you are in the Washington DC area, I would help you with coding. You do need the Developer Mode patch to see the full menu options. You can get this done before or after you install the hardware. I also have a new Fakra adapter and the new NTSC camera module. Left over spares from the project. You can have them for $30 + shipping. Hope this helps.
#6
Super Member
good post MaxUSA, very helpful. I've been trying to do this as well. I have the camera and wiring, just need to get my command "enabled" but it doesnt seem around here my friends with Star also have developer mode. I'll buy your wiring harness that enables it and VIM if MbBiturbofan does't take it.
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MbBiturboFan (12-19-2020)
#7
It’s hard to believe that MB wouldn’t include the rear camera as standard on all models as soon as technologically available. That and Parktronic seem to be 2 of the best tech inventions of the last 15 years in the automotive industry. Why wouldn’t dealers insist upon this as standard? That said, does anyone have a handle on what an independent shop with a Star Diagnostic System would charge to install the back up camera package?
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MbBiturboFan (12-27-2020)
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#8
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Calling eurocharged Houston tomorrow to see what they say in terms of cost and if they can even do it. And yeah, Lexuses of that era, like the GS430 and LS430 had rear cameras from 2005 onwards, wish they came as standard in the W211, or at least the AMG models.
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MbBiturboFan (12-28-2020)
#10
Senior Member
We have to remember that the W211 design was finalized in early 2000's, and W211 started mass production in January 2002. The built-in reverse camera was exotic back then. If you think about it, 20 years is a long time ago. Thankfully, there are aftermarket options and even the NTG2.5 native retrofit. The NTG2.5 (Alpine UCPFv2) unit takes NTSC camera if the connection is made directly from the camera into the unit (green FAKRA). If the camera is connected onto the TV tuner, it can be of any type as there is a menu to choose from PAL or NTSC.
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MbBiturboFan (12-28-2020)
#11
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Just called them, they can enable the rear camera via the star diagnostic tool but wanted $400 ish to do that which is a bummer.
#12
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E350 2012, GL 550 2013, C63 amg 2019, E63 amg 2009
HELP INSTALLING A REAR CAMERA ON 2009 W211 E63
There is a way to code NTG2.5 via a harness adapter, but the cost of the dongle is close to $200. I have one for the Reverse Camera and VIM, bought from Portugal. You can have it for $50 + shipping. You are better off linking up with someone with the STAR system in your area. Most people would do it for free. Ask around the forums. If you are in the Washington DC area, I would help you with coding. You do need the Developer Mode patch to see the full menu options. You can get this done before or after you install the hardware. I also have a new Fakra adapter and the new NTSC camera module. Left over spares from the project. You can have them for $30 + shipping. Hope this helps.
I live in Westchester, NY. Does anyone know a place I can send my car to enable the camera feature? If not, what do I need to buy?
Any help is appreciated. Frank, email: fmrizaj@aol.com
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E63 AMG 2009 E55 AMG 2005 E63 AMG Wagon 2007
I live in Westchester, NY. Does anyone know a place I can send my car to enable the camera feature? If not, what do I need to buy?
Any help is appreciated. Frank, email: fmrizaj@aol.com
Any help is appreciated. Frank, email: fmrizaj@aol.com
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E350 2012, GL 550 2013, C63 amg 2019, E63 amg 2009
Frank
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E63 AMG 2009 E55 AMG 2005 E63 AMG Wagon 2007
Sorry, I don’t know what camera and components you may need as I too and looking to wire up a backup camera. Hopefully someone else on here has a better idea of what is needed.
#16
Wow, I too have the NTG 2.5, IIRC, as my ride is of the 2007 E63 era. I’ve had all the components for upgrading my stereo system for over a year now ( 2 Amps for 9 Channels, Audison DSP, Stereo Integrity Mids and Woofers, focal 5” and/or 6” the rear) but I haven’t been able to justify giving up a perfectly working HU with Sirius XM and CD Player in order to gain Apple CarPlay? I had no clue that I could simply “Add” rear backup camera to the OEM system! My Bluetooth previously worked with my older iPhone, but once I upgraded to the 12 Pro, it ceased operating no matter what I did? If I could get that figured out and “add the rear Cam, then doing without CarPlay could be more or less be easily determined!