[1QuikWS6]

I recently watched an episode of Motorweek where Pat Gauss did a review of a New product called CurbAlert.

Link to show (scroll to 13:08 on timeline for CurbAlert portion):

http://video.pbs.org/video/2235141188/

This is a sensor system that mounts unobtrusively under your bumper @ front of car, senses when you are close to a low obstruction (such as curb or high speed bump), then alerts you with a tone.

This is particularly useful to protect front spoilers/splitters (especially on lowered cars) from damage when hitting curbs.


Since I just purchased a new OEM Aero Lip + CF Splitter for underneath, I decided to look into the product to protect all those expensive front end parts from my making a stupid mistake

Originally I checked out the product on the CurbAlert site, then when I did a google of 'BMW CurbAlert' - I found a link to a company that sells the system custom wired for BMW with the piggyback fuse holder tap already installed (see pics below) - price was lower than other sites even with the added custom wiring (unit is currently on sale for $159.99).

Company is SouthernCarParts http://www.southerncarparts.com/curb-alert-p-3474.html out of Georgia.

Their site has excellent description + a couple very good videos that detail the install & calibration specifically on a BMW 3 series

• Purchased the CurbAlert Pro Mini (see pics), shipping was immediate and it arrived quickly. Sensor unit is very small and not noticeable when installed as I did (center of car, front, under bumper lip above center grill). Install was not difficult at all - hardest part was using a coat hanger to pull the sensor wires thru the engine bay and into the interior.
  
• I mounted the Control Unit behind the glovebox in fuse area, used Slot #7 (Hot on Ignition ON only) to insert the piggyback fuse holder tap & the Ground went under the large screw in fusebox area.
  
• Warning Alarm Unit was mounted under dash, PS, up close to console, on the removeable panel that attaches under dash. Alarm Unit has a High/Low/Off setting.
  
• Once it came time to calibrate the unit, I found the calibration instructions that came with the unit from Mfg. to be sorta vague. I was having trouble getting unit to calibrate at the 4" height at the ditance I chose.
  
• Contacted SouthernCarParts by email - had a reply from Jim Vose within a short time with link to his most excellent calibration video on YouTube:
  
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJxg0...ature=youtu.be
  
  After viewing the video, I found the calibration to be foolproof as he states, & sucessfully calibrated my unit for a Distance of 20" to detect a Curb Height of Min 4"
  
• While driving 2 days now, I have had absolutely zero false alerts, and the unit warned me faithfully of curbs once I was within the 20" distance with a 'triple beep'

Anyone that wants to make sure that there is no damage to expensive front end spoilers should check this out - in fact, I'm prolly going to order another for my T/A...

Now on to the pics:




** Note Small Size of components - especially Sensor:






BMW Specific Piggyback Fuse Holder Tap Pre-Installed:




Sensor Installed - Only Way to See this is to Lay on Ground in Front of Car:

[upstatedoc]

I've always liked these:

[1QuikWS6]

Nice

I don't think my NA 328 could haul all that weight around though...

[LOVE330]

Looks great! Can you advise how you fastened the sensor to the grillwork?

Thanks much!

[1QuikWS6]

Actually, it doesnt attach to grill mounting bracket uses 3m dbl sided tape you mount it to the bumper ledge that is directly under where a front plate would be and in front of the grill

[LOVE330]

Thanks for the info on Curb Alert! I ordered one from www.curb-alert.com . It works great!