Wiring through Fire Wall ?
 

I realize that the E70 is still fairly new and that the mods are coming slow so this may have not been investigated as of yet. However, does anyone know where I could pull through a wire from the engine bay through the firewall into the cabin? Maybe there is an unused grommet somewhere? I would like to avoid actually drilling my own hole into the firewall.

Why???

I need to route a remote radar antenna.

There should be rubber grommets on the left and right side in the engine bay...

Are these unused grommets( blanks)? Where exactly are they? Have you seen or used them?

Thanks.

The reason I said this was I have instructions for a alarm retrofit and they say to pass the cables through the rubber grommets., they don't provide a picture though.. sorry but I haven't actually checked the engine bay myself...

James,

Thanks. Does the retrofit give any more specific details? I have looked at the engine bay and have removed the top shroud to expose the fire wall. There is a grommet that is about 3" in diameter and it is very thick and solid rubber. If will be difficult to get any wire through by the looks and feel of it. Do the directions say if you have to cut an "x" or slit in the grommet? On the passenger side I do not see anything that would be feasible without removing the filter box and such.

Thanks.

Looks like you may have to drill through the grommet.. one of these is from round vision install doc and is more specific ..

Jamesboags,

Thanks very much. This helps!

Denalio,

Once you are done with your installations maybe you can share the procedure with the rest of us. I too am interested in installing a radar detector but do not want to place it in the middle of dashboard/windshield.

Best.

Will do. It won't be for a couple of weeks since it is coming from Australia. On back order right now.

Jamesboags,

Do you have the instructions to remove the bumper trim? The PDF files start at step 11 and step 5. Thanks.

I don't think those installs require bumper trim to be taken off...I've attached the one I think you want... btw I am not sure if posting these inffringes BMW copyright.. perhaps mpderators can advise ?

Thanks again Jamesboags. I wanted it so I could see if there was any room under the bumper for my radar reciever antenna. This way it will be completely out of sight. I was going to mount it just behind the grill between the hood and the top of the bumper, but I am re-thinking the location. I was hoping the bumper trim was not hard to take off.

On another note the firewall route is really quite easy. The grommet on the drivers side is the one to drill through. If you remove the trim in the footwell to gain access to the firewall, the wire passthrough grommet from the inside of the footwell has an indentation on it. Looks almost like a thimble shape. If you carefully drill through this section of the indentation you will have your hole for wiring. Just be carefull not to push the drill to hard or you may run the risk of drilling into the brake booster on the engine compartment side. Once I am complete my installation i will post pics and "how to".

Thanks again!!!