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      05-15-2019, 02:42 PM   #1
achawla10
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Radar Detector Hardwire

Hello,

Anyone out there done a hardwire for a radar detector yet?

I think it can be done by hooking it up to the power in the mirror, as per this video for an M4



Wondering if anyone has real world experience with this?

Thanks!
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      05-21-2019, 05:50 AM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by achawla10 View Post
Hello,

Anyone out there done a hardwire for a radar detector yet?

I think it can be done by hooking it up to the power in the mirror, as per this video for an M4



Wondering if anyone has real world experience with this?

Thanks!
Radar detector install: Yes, Mirror for power: No.

I hardwired it into the fuse box but don't really have strong reasons for doing so. I just understand the fuse circuits, and have (probably) unfounded fears of wiring into circuits between source and device, which can lead to stealing needed Watts and can cause (maybe) unforeseen problems for peripherals and ECUs.... See what I mean, I don't really know if you can do harm wiring into the mirror, so I run away from trying. :

I can post instructions and some pics if you are interested, but can't get to it until the weekend, as I'm lurking in Japan this week (haven't seen any 8-ers here yet, and Tokyo certainly is not lacking in vehicles)
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      12-21-2019, 06:53 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr_Burt View Post
Radar detector install: Yes, Mirror for power: No.

I hardwired it into the fuse box but don't really have strong reasons for doing so. I just understand the fuse circuits, and have (probably) unfounded fears of wiring into circuits between source and device, which can lead to stealing needed Watts and can cause (maybe) unforeseen problems for peripherals and ECUs.... See what I mean, I don't really know if you can do harm wiring into the mirror, so I run away from trying. :

I can post instructions and some pics if you are interested, but can't get to it until the weekend, as I'm lurking in Japan this week (haven't seen any 8-ers here yet, and Tokyo certainly is not lacking in vehicles)
Dug up this old thread as facing the same decisions. I have installed a Blendmount for my Valentine 1 and currently have it hooked up to the console 12v adapter with the wire running up the right hand side of the console (tucked under the leather) to the unit. I did order their MirrorTap solution but am hesitant to install it until I know the wiring schematic. Can you post details of your Fuse install with pics? May ultimately go that route.
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      12-21-2019, 07:07 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bloozemanAZ View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr_Burt View Post
Radar detector install: Yes, Mirror for power: No.

I hardwired it into the fuse box but don't really have strong reasons for doing so. I just understand the fuse circuits, and have (probably) unfounded fears of wiring into circuits between source and device, which can lead to stealing needed Watts and can cause (maybe) unforeseen problems for peripherals and ECUs.... See what I mean, I don't really know if you can do harm wiring into the mirror, so I run away from trying. :

I can post instructions and some pics if you are interested, but can't get to it until the weekend, as I'm lurking in Japan this week (haven't seen any 8-ers here yet, and Tokyo certainly is not lacking in vehicles)
Dug up this old thread as facing the same decisions. I have installed a Blendmount for my Valentine 1 and currently have it hooked up to the console 12v adapter with the wire running up the right hand side of the console (tucked under the leather) to the unit. I did order their MirrorTap solution but am hesitant to install it until I know the wiring schematic. Can you post details of your Fuse install with pics? May ultimately go that route.
I haven't tapped the mirror, but I've been looking into a full laser radar installation inside the bumpers.
I need to find someone who can do it.
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      12-21-2019, 09:07 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Resjudicata View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by bloozemanAZ View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr_Burt View Post
Radar detector install: Yes, Mirror for power: No.

I hardwired it into the fuse box but don't really have strong reasons for doing so. I just understand the fuse circuits, and have (probably) unfounded fears of wiring into circuits between source and device, which can lead to stealing needed Watts and can cause (maybe) unforeseen problems for peripherals and ECUs.... See what I mean, I don't really know if you can do harm wiring into the mirror, so I run away from trying. :

I can post instructions and some pics if you are interested, but can't get to it until the weekend, as I'm lurking in Japan this week (haven't seen any 8-ers here yet, and Tokyo certainly is not lacking in vehicles)
Dug up this old thread as facing the same decisions. I have installed a Blendmount for my Valentine 1 and currently have it hooked up to the console 12v adapter with the wire running up the right hand side of the console (tucked under the leather) to the unit. I did order their MirrorTap solution but am hesitant to install it until I know the wiring schematic. Can you post details of your Fuse install with pics? May ultimately go that route.
I haven't tapped the mirror, but I've been looking into a full laser radar installation inside the bumpers.
I need to find someone who can do it.
My dealership has a master tech who did it but be forewarned, very time consuming and requires a fair amount of fabrication in the bumpers. I will post pictures of my install with a full ALP front/rear radar and front laser.

Noushy
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      12-21-2019, 10:53 PM   #6
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So here are some of the pictures and the 15 hours of labor.

Noushy
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      12-22-2019, 01:41 PM   #7
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So here are some of the pictures and the 15 hours of labor.

Noushy
oh wow
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      12-22-2019, 03:56 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Resjudicata View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by noushy View Post
So here are some of the pictures and the 15 hours of labor.

Noushy
oh wow
Yup. Actually took closer to 20 at $135/hr to have someone who is not a hack do it right. The finished work is perfect and almost invisible to anyone eho doesnt know what to look for. The radar sensors are behind the bumpers.

Noushy
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      12-22-2019, 07:30 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by noushy View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Resjudicata View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by noushy View Post
So here are some of the pictures and the 15 hours of labor.

Noushy
oh wow
Yup. Actually took closer to 20 at $135/hr to have someone who is not a hack do it right. The finished work is perfect and almost invisible to anyone eho doesnt know what to look for. The radar sensors are behind the bumpers.

Noushy
3 grand labor, not cheap. I need to find someone that good here in DC.
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      12-22-2019, 09:54 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Resjudicata View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by noushy View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Resjudicata View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by noushy View Post
So here are some of the pictures and the 15 hours of labor.

Noushy
oh wow
Yup. Actually took closer to 20 at $135/hr to have someone who is not a hack do it right. The finished work is perfect and almost invisible to anyone eho doesnt know what to look for. The radar sensors are behind the bumpers.

Noushy
3 grand labor, not cheap. I need to find someone that good here in DC.
Yeah they gave me 20% off as a good customer. Ended up paying $2500 including labor to install the side skirts.

Noushy
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      01-19-2020, 05:42 PM   #11
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Noushy,

I found a guy near me who can do the escort max 360 ci for install allin price of $6,500. I've gotten quotes all over the place, but this one seems like a good installer. I just have 2 questions.

do you think it's worth the effort, hassle, and expense? is there anything you would be sure to ask the installation or anything that you wish you did or didn't do differently?

~Res
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      01-19-2020, 07:35 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Resjudicata View Post
Noushy,

I found a guy near me who can do the escort max 360 ci for install allin price of $6,500. I've gotten quotes all over the place, but this one seems like a good installer. I just have 2 questions.

do you think it's worth the effort, hassle, and expense? is there anything you would be sure to ask the installation or anything that you wish you did or didn't do differently?

~Res
It all depends on how much you drive and the Leo situation out where you live. I am around $5500 in and no regrets since I did it in the Alpina and the X3M as well. Mileage varies per individual. I drive 500-700 miles a week with multiple speed traps on my route so yes. Two tickets and my insurance for three years will pay for itself. Plus I hate getting pulled over. Oh and make sure they are not hacks and cut up the factory wiring. You need to know where to tap in for power and ignition. On the newer BMWs it's much harder. I have seen some nightmare jobs.

Noushy
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      01-20-2020, 09:35 AM   #13
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Just had my local shop do the hardwire on my M8, they just used the escort hardwire kit and tapped into the mirror.



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      01-20-2020, 10:24 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KauvSTi View Post
Just had my local shop do the hardwire on my M8, they just used the escort hardwire kit and tapped into the mirror.
I need to call around to some local entertainment system installers, etc. to see whom can do the mirror tap for me. I have the Blendmount MirrorTap kit so I'll provide the parts so pure labor. What did the installer charge for you? Will give me at least a baseline of what to expect/negotiate on a cost.
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      03-13-2021, 08:19 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by achawla10 View Post
Hello,

Anyone out there done a hardwire for a radar detector yet?

I think it can be done by hooking it up to the power in the mirror, as per this video for an M4


Wondering if anyone has real world experience with this?

Thanks!
I tried and wasn't able to do it first pass. I was one of the first guys to powertap into the rain sensor harness on my old M4 because the mirror wasn't providing enough power.

But on the M8 it is easy enough to get to the harness, and plenty of power, but I can't insert the probes into the harness. It is extremely 'tight' so it's not only the size of the probe/insert (which could be shaved down) but it's also just very tight to push in. The M8 harness does not leave much wiggle room, which is a tribute to the design and manufacturing but doesn't make it easy to tap. I have a pic of it, it's the larger plug I was trying to tap into.



Here's my original post on the M4. It's not too dissimilar. Once you pull apart the main shroud you will see everything clearly.

https://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=18495591
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      03-13-2021, 08:22 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bloozemanAZ View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by KauvSTi View Post
Just had my local shop do the hardwire on my M8, they just used the escort hardwire kit and tapped into the mirror.
I need to call around to some local entertainment system installers, etc. to see whom can do the mirror tap for me. I have the Blendmount MirrorTap kit so I'll provide the parts so pure labor. What did the installer charge for you? Will give me at least a baseline of what to expect/negotiate on a cost.
FWIW on my old M4, the blend mount was in a terrible location and it was better for me to just use the factory suction cup and keep it in the corner.

I suspect the same on my M8. It could get in the way of your visibility. I'm only 5'6" though!
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      03-14-2021, 04:57 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gopggo View Post
FWIW on my old M4, the blend mount was in a terrible location and it was better for me to just use the factory suction cup and keep it in the corner.

I suspect the same on my M8. It could get in the way of your visibility. I'm only 5'6" though!
The irony being I'm 6'6" and the blend mount for the 8-series introduces zero visibility issues for me (same for my outgoing Lexus GS430). Thus, to your point everyone's mileage may vary to the potential visibility issues with it. The only issue with it in my M850i is that I have to turn off the rear laser sensor as the gesture controls, iDrive LIDAR, etc. wreak havoc with it to the point of constant Laser alerts if it is activated.

A few members with V1 Gen2s have posted that with proper placement via the standard suction cup mount they can keep both the front and rear laser active. However, given several factors when it comes to laser detection I can live without the rear as technically by the time the V1 Gen2 can alert for laser it is likely too late. If I lived in an area with significant laser speed detection I'd install ALP as a jammer is the only true defense.
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