[mr_victor]

Just wondering if you guys had any tips as to how to set up a Valentine One radar detector in the 4-Series. I'd prefer to not have to hardwire it but I also appreciate concealing the wiring.

Right now I'm looking at plugging it into the rear power outlet and running the telephone cord under the rear floor mat, passenger's seat, front floor mat, and trying to hide the cord alongside the leading edge of the dash to where the detector is mounted behind the nav screen.

Any better ideas out there?

[Mobster1983]

I placed my Escort on the driver's side just beneath the rear view mirror. I ran the cord up along the roof (there is a slight gap between the windshield and interior ceiling), and under the liner alongside the front passenger door, then under the floor mat to the power plug on the front passenger side. Worked pretty well at concealment, although I did have to wrap a couple spots on the cord with electrical tape to make sure it stayed hidden along the ceiling.

[lsutiger]

You should look into the Saavy accessory that Valentine sells. Allows for easy concealment of the power cord on the F30.

[@boss335xDrive]

I bought the Valentine 1 accessory that plugs into the OBD port, then ran the wires under the trim in front of the front driver-side door, then above the windshield (under the trim) to the passenger side of the rear view mirror. This way, I can move my sun visor whenever I want without hitting the radar locator. I drive 90% of the time alone. When I have a passenger, they just need to be aware to not push the visor too far in.

I also have the remote display, so the radar detector does not light up in the window. I put the remote display in the lower right part of the instrument panel.

I also thought of installing the radar detector at the top center of the back window, since I have the remote display. I did that in my previous car (2008 MazdaSPEED3), and that worked out great. The detector was nearly invisible and I never had to take it down for fear of it getting stolen.

[mwitriol]

I picked up my new 2013 328i xDrive about two weeks ago, and did a lot of searching around the forums and finally settled on using an inviscord to the review view mirror assembly, and a blendmount. I'm pretty happy with how it looks and the positioning. I gave up the concealed display that I was using in my last car (C300) so I didn't have to worry about running wires around the car. Some pics below.

http://www.blendmount.com
http://www.invisicord.com

It's not the cheapest solution, but I think it looks great.

[tomegun]

I had the savvy unit installed in our 5-series. I ran the cord under the trim, down the A pillar. Unfortunately, I can tell you for certain that this method will not interfere with air bag deployment and you can remove everything in about a minute while a tow truck is about to take your car away.

[Lost Horizon]

Mine is not a Valentine, but a passport 9500ix. I used the associated direct 'smart' power chord with the store/mute/GPS functions as shown. It allowed me to use the gutter space between the dash and the windshield to run it along and behind the A pillar, down to behind the panel by the driver to be able to pull / get at the inline fuse if required, then wired it to the downstream side of the ignition module behind the dash.

Takes a bit of effort, but well worth it. The Detector is attached to the dash using Velcro for quick removal in sketchy situations, and is set up between the iDrive and HUD to be part of the normal driver scan field.

[Steve33]

Here's how I did mine in my 335 - I have the SAVVY so I plug right into the OBDII

View post on imgur.com

[Lost Horizon]

Originally Posted by Steve33

Here's how I did mine in my 335 - I have the SAVVY so I plug right into the OBDII

View post on imgur.com

Is Pin 16 switched power, or Key.. or is there any Key power on any of the pins?.. I've forgotten..

I hooked mine to the Key side of the Ignition module because I always find it bothersome to manually switch it.. If the ODBII has switched power, that saves a step..

[Steve33]

Originally Posted by Lost Horizon

Is Pin 16 switched power, or Key.. or is there any Key power on any of the pins?.. I've forgotten..

I hooked mine to the Key side of the Ignition module because I always find it bothersome to manually switch it.. If the ODBII has switched power, that saves a step..

OBDII is switched... I think all of the OBDII is switched

[EHDEN]

this is the only way to go IMO. wireless and placement must be in the upper center of the windshield.

[Lost Horizon]

Originally Posted by EHDEN

this is the only way to go IMO. wireless and placement must be in the upper center of the windshield.

To each their own. As a long time pilot, I like to have it in front of me like the other readouts that matter, but off high to the right is OK also, since the mirror is there and get's the odd glance..

[Steve33]

Originally Posted by EHDEN

this is the only way to go IMO. wireless and placement must be in the upper center of the windshield.

Cordless are inconsistent and crap. For instance those don't catch POP signals.

[BMW435Florida]

I have a question for 435 guys with Valentine 1. I am moving my V1 from my 2000 328i to me new 435i.

I am thinking of getting Savvy for a much neater/cleaner/hidden installation, but I noticed on the 435, the OBD port is facing down (vertical) as opposed to horizontal.

I was curious if anyone is using the Savvy with the 435, and if so, does it's downward installation protrude down so far as to impeded your left foot getting in and out of the car or using the dead petal?

Thanks.

[Steve33]

Originally Posted by BMW435Florida

I have a question for 435 guys with Valentine 1. I am moving my V1 from my 2000 328i to me new 435i.

I am thinking of getting Savvy for a much neater/cleaner/hidden installation, but I noticed on the 435, the OBD port is facing down (vertical) as opposed to horizontal.

I was curious if anyone is using the Savvy with the 435, and if so, does it's downward installation protrude down so far as to impeded your left foot getting in and out of the car or using the dead petal?

Thanks.

It's the same as my 335i, look a few posts up for how I did mine. And no problems with me, 9 months into it.

[BMW435Florida]

Thank you Steve. I ordered the Savvy yesterday with a couple other accessories I need to do a good hidden install.

Looking forward to having Mike protect the new ride.

Have a great weekend.

[stevehecht]

Originally Posted by mwitriol

I picked up my new 2013 328i xDrive about two weeks ago, and did a lot of searching around the forums and finally settled on using an inviscord to the review view mirror assembly, and a blendmount. I'm pretty happy with how it looks and the positioning. I gave up the concealed display that I was using in my last car (C300) so I didn't have to worry about running wires around the car. Some pics below.

http://www.blendmount.com
http://www.invisicord.com

It's not the cheapest solution, but I think it looks great.

Attachment 958722

Attachment 958723

Attachment 958724

I'm thinking about doing this. Does anyone know which Blendmount ID#/model is used for the 328?

[Steve33]

Originally Posted by stevehecht

I'm thinking about doing this. Does anyone know which Blendmount ID#/model is used for the 328?

FYI you can make your own invisicord for about $5. All you need to know how to do is use a knife, a pliers and a lighter/heat gun (optional, for the shrink tube).

Radioshack for the phone cord and you'll need a D-Sub pin connector kit (a few $$) to connect it to a harness. Use the middle two wires in the phone cord for power

[nickmanderfield]

Installed mine by tapping into a switched power in the sunroof panel! Works great, reversible, no need to pry anything apart except the sunroof panel being dropped

[stevehecht]

Originally Posted by stevehecht

I'm thinking about doing this. Does anyone know which Blendmount ID#/model is used for the 328?

On second thought, I think having the detector below the mirror will be too distracting as it's in the field of vision. Any opinions on putting the Escort 9500ix behind the mirror (a bit to the left) on the windshield with the new Sticky Cup and running the Invisicord to the back of the mirror from there? I think if the detector is high up on the windshield it will be less obtrusive.

[Lost Horizon]

Originally Posted by stevehecht

On second thought, I think having the detector below the mirror will be too distracting as it's in the field of vision. Any opinions on putting the Escort 9500ix behind the mirror (a bit to the left) on the windshield with the new Sticky Cup and running the Invisicord to the back of the mirror from there? I think if the detector is high up on the windshield it will be less obtrusive.

Up high , it may not pick up the signals from behind.. the rear facing sensor sight line is blocked by the roof..

[stevehecht]

Originally Posted by stevehecht

I'm thinking about doing this. Does anyone know which Blendmount ID#/model is used for the 328?

FYI I found the answer to my question: BBE-2017