E70 hardwired radar detector install

[younghno50]

I am getting my new x50 passport with a hardwire kit this tuesday. Anyone do this on E70 build? Looking to mount the x50 on top left and run the wire to the sunroof/sos area.

How do i hide the wire on the window liner from top left to the rear view mirror? do i need to run the wire all the way to the fuse box as "radar roy" suggests on his site?

Thanks for the help!

Young

[brian5]

Lots of posts about installing radar detectors in E70.

I would suggest that you mount your radar detector in the center above the rear view mirror (for optimal use).

No, you do not need to run the wire to the fuse box. Tap into the connection in the overhead console.

You can easily hide the wire in the A-pillar slit opening and inside the headliner above the windshield.

[CMBeamerM5]

V1 Hardwire Help Needed - BMW M3 Forum (E90 E92)


Many threads on several boards about this topic. Just do a google search.

I did all three BMW's without an issue.

Good luck.

[wsybert]

I powered mine from the cig lighter in the console. Pretty easy wire run. Behind A Pillar, under dash. Figured it out doing a search here. Mounted my Redline just to the left of the rearview. GL.

[Yahtzee]

I powered mine in sunroof area. I ran wire to left corner of windshield and use a visor mount. In order to tuck the cord under the headliner wrap a few circles of electrical tape around a section to make it thicker...it will then tuck nicely between the headliner and the windshield. I have had a hardwired RD since my first BMW in 2008 and this is the first time using the visor mount...by far, my favorite...no more suction loss....also, mounting under mirror seems to just be too much in the middle section of the window...visor mount also keeps it more out of view from outside the vehicle.

[TerminatorX5]

you are in VA, so it is imperative for you to mount the unit as stealthy as possible - having it in left top is not a stealthy install, as the unit is within a reach. do you have a "remote" control for the unit, or a "remote" display, a la V1?

You may wish to mount the actual unit out of physical reach and keep the display and control within reach. i was stopped by a VA cop who saw the V1 by the mirror, so that location is compromised

[brian5]

Originally Posted by TerminatorX5

you are in VA, so it is imperative for you to mount the unit as stealthy as possible - having it in left top is not a stealthy install, as the unit is within a reach. do you have a "remote" control for the unit, or a "remote" display, a la V1?

You may wish to mount the actual unit out of physical reach and keep the display and control within reach. i was stopped by a VA cop who saw the V1 by the mirror, so that location is compromised

I'm driving through VA today. I have the remote display but am planning on removing the V1 when I go through that state...

[TerminatorX5]

Originally Posted by brian5

I'm driving through VA today. I have the remote display but am planning on removing the V1 when I go through that state...

i spend considerable amount of time in VA, and keep the V1 off... but, if i were to use it, it would be a stealth install with remote control and remote display, i would even consider StealthOne for the display, or SoftwareOne if you have a CarPC

[blue dragon]

You are asking for ticket with a V1 to be in VA. That is why you need an STiR plus

[younghno50]

Thanks for all the replies. I know RD's are illegal in VA. I've lived here for 32+ years and since I plan on having this X5 for at least 4+ years, I wanted to hard wire something in when I travel outside the state. I frequent the eastern shore and heading to Greer for my 101 experience in a couple weeks so I wanted this done before I leave. I don't know how accurate my information is but I recall hearing only a small handful of state troopers have this "radar detector detectors" and I imagine it to be rare to get pulled over in the immediate metro dc area of VA. I almost got the STi but went with the X50 black series for its improved range and accuracy. I also got the iPhone app and separate connector to get up to date marks for speed traps and a few other things I'm hopeful it will be useful for.


I found a YouTube clip on the over head area install and hope to get it done soon.

Thanks again