[ElCapitanMX]

Nothing new, nothing we didn't know but I got to drive an I7 loaner while my M240i was in service and I got to compare the rear view camera and there are no excuses on why rhe m240i is so dark at night.

No need to say which one is the i7 below

[ryo-]

the M240i also has near to no illumination from the reverse lights too so I assume that plays a factor

[logjamexcalibur]

Yeah, I don’t know if it’s the wide hips cutting off the rear reverse lights or what but when parallel parking at night it’s really hard to see the curb in the mirror

[ElCapitanMX]

Nope, no issues on placement, it is on camera "tuning/settings" they can expose the image but they decided not to. As you can see the upper part for the i7 it has more brightness making it more visible, that part is well above the rear bumper

[euro3er]

I thought this was going to be fixed on the 2025 M240i I just picked up, which I was comparing to the 2008 X5 that my family has and it isn't much better in some scenarios. I wonder if swapping out the reverse bulbs for something brighter would help it?

[WilcoJunoHotel]

A few months ago, I had considered swapping the bulbs for LEDs but someone said it would likely throw a code so I never looked any further.

Here is one I was looking at:
https://sealight-led.com/product/sea...ed-bulbs-white

Amazon also has some very similar bulbs that are made specifically for backup light use - they project better than a bulb which is made for running, brake and backup. Here is one of those:

https://www.amazon.com/SEALIGHT-7443...46&sr=8-3&th=1

Someone needs to be the guinea pig and try them and see what happens. Oh, and if it is a sealed unit, we are likely SOL.

EDIT: Here is one on eBay for $100 - maybe someone can buy it and see if it can be opened up?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/14607887022...T7K5YKPHC1HYFZ

[German1967]

The issue is the reverse lights. Never a problem in the F22 though the camera had lower resolution. At night the reverse camera is indeed useless. Luckily, I remember the days without camera or parking sensors. Hence, I will survive.