Dash cam in new E Class - advice please

[lastfan]

Due to collect new E Class saloon on 1st Sept, and spoke to the main dealer yesterday asking about fitting a hard wired dash cam. I see MB offer the hardware for a price...gulp, but appears not the fitting.

They advised this isn’t something they do and most people take to aftermarket fitter ( and they don’t make recommendations) - I sort of get it, However aren’t they missing a trick ( they would charge a premium rate I know for the privilege!) but my concern is really around Car warranty and trusting a new car to a third party to supply and fit.

Happy with more realistic priced hardware, quality has really improved in recent years.

Am I being paranoid, is it not a problem if the third party fitters are competent Re warranty?

Answer would be to turn on the on board cameras but I read on other threads that isn’t going to happen, which is a shame.

Assuming I am being paranoid does anyone have recommendations in Hampshire or surrounding areas?

Thank you and no, I won’t go to Halfords for fitting

 

[Deleted member 149005]

Not near Hampshire but these guys fit MB kit to factory standard and log it with MB

Mercedes Retrofit Specialists - Braybrooks

We are the leading Mercedes Retrofit Specialists with a growing portfolio of retrofits to ensure that your vehicle can be tailored to exact requirements.

www.braybrooks.co.uk

Also try these guys in Lightwater, surrey (who do the same)

Catalog

We have the parts you need to upgrade & update your Mercedes In-Car Entertainment Systems. We provide Genuine Mercedes map updates (and map updates for more than just Mercedes), Reversing Camera, Phone & Bluetooth solutions, iPod integration, Sat-Nav retrofit parts and much more for you to...

www.commandonline.co.uk

 

[Yex]

Might be worth having a chat with Ollie and the team at Prestige Car Services, just up the A3 at Horndean.

Mercedes Benz & Smart Specialists | Prestige Car Service | Horndean, Hampshire

www.prestigecarservice.co.uk

 

[lastfan]

Thanks for replies - does anyone have any experience of the Mrecedes Witness camera system?

Very few reviews out there.

Thanks

 

[lastfan]

Not near Hampshire but these guys fit MB kit to factory standard and log it with MB

Mercedes Retrofit Specialists - Braybrooks

We are the leading Mercedes Retrofit Specialists with a growing portfolio of retrofits to ensure that your vehicle can be tailored to exact requirements.

www.braybrooks.co.uk

Also try these guys in Lightwater, surrey (who do the same)

Catalog

We have the parts you need to upgrade & update your Mercedes In-Car Entertainment Systems. We provide Genuine Mercedes map updates (and map updates for more than just Mercedes), Reversing Camera, Phone & Bluetooth solutions, iPod integration, Sat-Nav retrofit parts and much more for you to...

www.commandonline.co.uk

Thanks for this - Neil Braybrook has been very helpful - I am booked in for September!

 

[Blowpipe]

Thanks for replies - does anyone have any experience of the Mrecedes Witness camera system?

Very few reviews out there.

Thanks

My only observation is that they seem incredibly expensive compared to third party tried and tested products!

 

[fabes]

How did it go, what did you have fitted?

 

[lastfan]

How did it go, what did you have fitted?

I went to Braybrook’s and had the MB Witness system fitted front and rear, not had any issue and thankfully no need to refer to anything recorded...not least because I haven’t really driven anywhere of course, but still, very solid and does what I need.

Price is expensive but I have had the cheaper ones before and the only time I needed a recording it failed so with a new car I could justify - the light that comes on in the dark is very reassuring too, triggered by the laser car park monitor.

The trip to Braybrook’s was the longest journey I have done in the car, even now!

 

[Piff]

Thank you and no, I won’t go to Halfords for fitting

Care to elaborate on the Halfords comment please.
I'm thinking of front & rear dash cams on our BMW X3. Haven't done much research yet but Halfords popped up on my first google search.

 

[Bri]

I have had 2 dash cams fitted by Halfords with no problems at all. did a very good job not a wire on view.
Had a nextbase 312 fitted to my E350 and jus had a nextbase fitted to my 2018 E220 all work as they should took around 45 to 60 mins to fit.
I know some people have had a few problems with Halfords but more have had no problem.

 

[lastfan]

Care to elaborate on the Halfords comment please.
I'm thinking of front & rear dash cams on our BMW X3. Haven't done much research yet but Halfords popped up on my first google search.

That comment related to another thread we were following at the time. My previous Audi had a Halfords fitted cam and it was never right.

I suppose the point is that it was fitted into an accessible fuse near the glove box, pretty straight forward and done under a tent in their car park - pretty low tech - other than hiding the wiring well, the Audi wasn't a technical fitting - but it caused all sorts of problems with other electrics. Was it the wrong fuse, poorly fitted - I have no idea but electrics were never right again.

My new E Class, and literally off the forecourt I chose to have it fitted by Braybrooks - I was glad I did. I sat there and watched the MB wiring diagrams he logged into, and how he fitted these cams, I'm sure Halfords would have been fine, but I came away feeling poorer, but 100% happy and nothing has let me down.

Maybe I had bad luck at Halfords - but the other thread had similar comments and I think I just agreed I wouldn't go there...nothing more, nothing less.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

[Piff]

I've currently got an enquiry out with a specialist car electronics guy. His reviews are good & him/his father had a shop in Ipswich for years.
Unfortunately the shop has long gone but they still run the business from home, visiting customers at their home or work.
Dave Wallis

 

[Piff]

After a few weeks wait I've had a reply from the local specialist. He has recommended Thinkware F800 front & rear cameras.
Anyone had any experience of these?

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

After a few weeks wait I've had a reply from the local specialist. He has recommended Thinkware F800 front & rear cameras.
Anyone had any experience of these?

Thinkware are well regarded but physically large.

 

[nickpb]

After a few weeks wait I've had a reply from the local specialist. He has recommended Thinkware F800 front & rear cameras.
Anyone had any experience of these?

FWIW I have the NextBase front and rear cameras, and they're excellent!

 

[Piff]

Chap I'm using to fit these is a bit slow to respond to emails. However, we are now booked in for fitting on 23rd Feb

 

[Benz17]

I went to Braybrook’s and had the MB Witness system fitted front and rear, not had any issue and thankfully no need to refer to anything recorded...not least because I haven’t really driven anywhere of course, but still, very solid and does what I need.

Price is expensive but I have had the cheaper ones before and the only time I needed a recording it failed so with a new car I could justify - the light that comes on in the dark is very reassuring too, triggered by the laser car park monitor.

The trip to Braybrook’s was the longest journey I have done in the car, even now!

Hi Lastfan,

Would you be kind enough to give a short review on the dashcam, on the app, how clear are the recordings, would it record incidents if the car is parked. What is the laser car park monitor.
Thanks would appreciate your thoughts.