[Ajax30za]

So my car didn’t come with bmw drive recorder as an option due to local restrictions.

Does anyone know if I buy the bmw dashcam kit from another region and then install it locally, if that will automatically enable the drive recorder app on idrive 8?

I don’t have an option to install the drive recorder app at the moment from my bmw connected profile at the moment.

[Coconut]

It will for sure not. Drive recorder is just software tied into the parking assist cameras, there are 4 of them that drive record uses. I don’t think you would be able to enable drive recorder through software even if you have parking assist because the physical button on the center console isn’t there for it. Assuming you have park assist, you could check mybmw app on your phone to see what’s available to purchase, things like remote engine start for $300.

[Skeeter44]

I just read about this feature if I'd known that it was more than parking assist which I'm completely not interested in for such a small car I would have definitely gotten it. It includes a button you can push to record 20 seconds of full surround video before and after the button push and can easily offload to a USB drive

[Ajax30za]

My car only came full spec, but without the bmw drive recorder and heated steering wheel (I am in the Middle East..).

So yeah, I would rather get the drive recorder working than install a 3rd party device if I can.

[jpcoop]

If you have the parking cameras, just not the drive recorder, then you can buy the drive recorded later via the BMW web site. At least in the US.

If you don’t have the parking cameras, it’s not possible.

[Coconut]

Originally Posted by jpcoop

If you have the parking cameras, just not the drive recorder, then you can buy the drive recorded later via the BMW web site. At least in the US.

If you don’t have the parking cameras, it’s not possible.

Are you certain because the physical drive recorder button on the center console isn’t here. I suppose you could make a shortcut in ID8 for it but that just seems halfbaked for a paid for software add on.

[jpcoop]

Originally Posted by Coconut

Are you certain because the physical drive recorder button on the center console isn’t here. I suppose you could make a shortcut in ID8 for it but that just seems halfbaked for a paid for software add on.

That isn't the "drive recorder" button, it's the panorama view button if you have the parking assistance package.

[Coconut]

OML you’re right! My mistake. That button is indeed tied to the pan Aramaic view and the other button is the parking assist. In that case yes, I would think adding in drive recorder through the MYBMW app is very possible.

[jpcoop]

Originally Posted by Coconut

OML you’re right! My mistake. That button is indeed tied to the pan Aramaic view and the other button is the parking assist. In that case yes, I would think adding in drive recorder through the MYBMW app is very possible.

I doubt it. Drive recorder requires the parking assistance package (otherwise your car doesn’t have cameras to record with) and if you don’t have the panorama button you don’t have parking assistance.

If you optioned JUST the parking assistance then you have the button already and can add drive recorder later for $125 on the BMW site