E90Post
 


 
BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > AUDIO/VIDEO + BLUETOOTH + Electronics/Alarm/Software > installed...9500ci about 5 hrs



Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      09-04-2012, 09:13 AM   #1
imageautodetail
Captain
imageautodetail's Avatar
48
Rep
799
Posts

Drives: 08 335 silverback
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: lou EVIL kentucky

iTrader: (12)

Garage List
2008 335 e90  [0.00]
2007 e90 335  [5.00]
installed...9500ci about 5 hrs

I have a little bit of experience with stereo installs which i am sure helped with the install, but seeing what people pay to get these installed at a shop is just crazy it is really simple even if you dont have much experience with car electronics, biggest pain was finding a spot to shove all the excess wire slack under the dash....

at first i was going to use the ashtray/cubby to mount control mod speaker and display, but really didnt want to lose the cubby so i found a spot right in front of armrest where the speaker would fit, drilled some holes int the center trim to allow sound to pass and put the speaker there, sound is loud and projects nicely even with stereo all the way up, great location for the e90





you do have to trim to peices of plastic





indicator led in steering column

control module mount






display mounted out of the way but in a great spot for visability when i see the led and hear alert
__________________
FBO...METH...BIG TWINS

Last edited by imageautodetail; 09-04-2012 at 09:20 AM..
Appreciate 0
      09-04-2012, 09:18 AM   #2
imageautodetail
Captain
imageautodetail's Avatar
48
Rep
799
Posts

Drives: 08 335 silverback
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: lou EVIL kentucky

iTrader: (12)

Garage List
2008 335 e90  [0.00]
2007 e90 335  [5.00]
rear sensor





front sensors/shifters







brains!!!!...

__________________
FBO...METH...BIG TWINS
Appreciate 0
      09-05-2012, 05:38 PM   #3
B-737
Captain
B-737's Avatar
United_States
50
Rep
825
Posts

Drives: a car.
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Jersey Shore

iTrader: (6)

Garage List
2011 328 xi  [7.26]
looks good man, you prob know this already but putting the antenna behind the 'plated' fins isnt optimal....
__________________
Appreciate 0
      09-05-2012, 08:11 PM   #4
imageautodetail
Captain
imageautodetail's Avatar
48
Rep
799
Posts

Drives: 08 335 silverback
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: lou EVIL kentucky

iTrader: (12)

Garage List
2008 335 e90  [0.00]
2007 e90 335  [5.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by B-737 View Post
looks good man, you prob know this already but putting the antenna behind the 'plated' fins isnt optimal....
the front sensor?
__________________
FBO...METH...BIG TWINS
Appreciate 0
      09-05-2012, 09:26 PM   #5
B-737
Captain
B-737's Avatar
United_States
50
Rep
825
Posts

Drives: a car.
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Jersey Shore

iTrader: (6)

Garage List
2011 328 xi  [7.26]
yeah the fake metallic coating in front of the receiver is going to interfere with its operation. how much, who knows... escort seems to make a big deal out of it, but those guys are prob shooting for 110% effectiveness.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      09-06-2012, 11:55 AM   #6
upstatedoc
I'll get back to you
upstatedoc's Avatar
7556
Rep
2,132
Posts

Drives: blue streak
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: not downstate

iTrader: (2)

__________________
2018 Stinger GT
2009 E90 N51 /Active Autowerke Stage 2 tune/BMW Performance Exhaust/
Countermeasure enthusiast.
Appreciate 0
      09-07-2012, 05:03 AM   #7
imageautodetail
Captain
imageautodetail's Avatar
48
Rep
799
Posts

Drives: 08 335 silverback
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: lou EVIL kentucky

iTrader: (12)

Garage List
2008 335 e90  [0.00]
2007 e90 335  [5.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by B-737 View Post
yeah the fake metallic coating in front of the receiver is going to interfere with its operation. how much, who knows... escort seems to make a big deal out of it, but those guys are prob shooting for 110% effectiveness.
what fake metallic coating? the 3 , 1/8th inch plastic grill slats?
__________________
FBO...METH...BIG TWINS
Appreciate 0
      09-07-2012, 06:54 AM   #8
B-737
Captain
B-737's Avatar
United_States
50
Rep
825
Posts

Drives: a car.
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Jersey Shore

iTrader: (6)

Garage List
2011 328 xi  [7.26]
Yep.

any irregular opening, or irregularly shaped plastic will interfere with the antennas ability to receive optimally. if its a piece of plastic that has a constant smooth form, like a bumper cover you can get away with it, as long as your paint doesnt have metallic flakes in it...

Even more adversely effecting performance, ANY metallic coating, whether its painted on, real or fake, will interfere with microwaves, reflect them back and degrade the performance of the antenna.

i was going to do this install on my 328 and the only suitable location was it poking out through the lower plastic mesh, even with the mesh. On my 993, i would put it behind the plastic mesh knowing i would lose some performance but not modify the mesh, the mesh is irregular shape but its not metallic so its not that bad. The Qi45 and the 9500ci I installed in both my trucks have 'open air' views of the road ahead.



and another i installed on my ranger. i had to raise the antenna bracket to allow it to see through the chrome grill slots. this radar worked great, even though i was concerned about its proximity to the chrome.

__________________

Last edited by B-737; 09-07-2012 at 09:26 AM..
Appreciate 0
      09-07-2012, 07:37 PM   #9
KeepRightPassLeft
Private
4
Rep
68
Posts

Drives: 2005 325Cic
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: New York

iTrader: (0)

Agreed on the location of the radar antenna. Although with windshield mounted radar detectors higher is better, this is not the case with remote mounted radar detectors. A better mourning position is in front of the lower grill.

The position of the shifters are too low. BMWs do not generally offer great mounting positions. A guy on this site that I participated in helping to test in early 2011 in Westchester, NY, had a Blinder M47 with two heads in the lower grill mounted similar to where your shifters are positioned, but he had two additional heads mounted vertically in the kidney grill. I do recommend three or four head installations for the front of BMWs. The only laser jammers that I recommend are Laser Interceptor and Blinder HP-905. The Laser Interceptor performs slightly better than the Blinder.
Appreciate 0
      09-09-2012, 09:03 AM   #10
upstatedoc
I'll get back to you
upstatedoc's Avatar
7556
Rep
2,132
Posts

Drives: blue streak
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: not downstate

iTrader: (2)

Quote:
Originally Posted by KeepRightPassLeft View Post
A guy on this site that I participated in helping to test in early 2011 in Westchester, NY, had a Blinder M47 with two heads in the lower grill mounted similar to where your shifters are positioned, but he had two additional heads mounted vertically in the kidney grill.


Switching to an LI tri for the front since now the blinders (M4* series) have become obsolete.
__________________
2018 Stinger GT
2009 E90 N51 /Active Autowerke Stage 2 tune/BMW Performance Exhaust/
Countermeasure enthusiast.
Appreciate 0
      09-12-2012, 12:37 PM   #11
vp fiberglass
Enlisted Member
5
Rep
49
Posts

Drives: missing my e46 Touring
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Portland, OR

iTrader: (0)

You seem to be heavily into the "modded" look and don't mind having all of these components visible. And mismatched vinyl in your interior (where you re-wrapped the console trim piece). Our customers want a more integrated installation. And that simply can't be done in 5 hours.

As B-737 said, the antenna performance will be heavily degraded by being located behind the metallic grill like that. But your biggest problem is that you mounted it upside down.

I would recommend relocating it to the opening where you have your shifters located and mounting it right side up.
__________________
www.musicarnw.com
world-class audio and electronics integration
Appreciate 0
      09-12-2012, 12:56 PM   #12
B-737
Captain
B-737's Avatar
United_States
50
Rep
825
Posts

Drives: a car.
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Jersey Shore

iTrader: (6)

Garage List
2011 328 xi  [7.26]
Quote:
Originally Posted by vp fiberglass View Post
... and mounting it right side up.
Nice catch VP, I completely overlooked that "minor detail", I forgot that unlike the lesser Qi45 antenna, the 9500ci does have a right side up!

Oh, and for those referencing this for an install, Id also add the "holes drilled for the sound to pass" aren't necessary, the speaker is plenty loud to be totally buried and still be heard clearly. (ie. above the drivers foot area)
__________________

Last edited by B-737; 09-12-2012 at 01:04 PM..
Appreciate 0
      09-22-2012, 04:34 PM   #13
jippii ensio
Major
68
Rep
1,432
Posts

Drives: 335i
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: On the road

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by B-737 View Post
if its a piece of plastic that has a constant smooth form, like a bumper cover you can get away with it, as long as your paint doesnt have metallic flakes in it...

i was going to do this install on my 328 and the only suitable location was it poking out through the lower plastic mesh, even with the mesh.
Did you try to fit it inside the bumper cover and it didn't fit? That would be too bad, since the higher the better as far as there is room for it inside the bumper.
Appreciate 0
      09-23-2012, 08:56 AM   #14
upstatedoc
I'll get back to you
upstatedoc's Avatar
7556
Rep
2,132
Posts

Drives: blue streak
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: not downstate

iTrader: (2)

Quote:
Originally Posted by vp fiberglass View Post
But your biggest problem is that you mounted it upside down.
Quote:
Originally Posted by B-737 View Post
Nice catch VP, I completely overlooked that "minor detail", I forgot that unlike the lesser Qi45 antenna, the 9500ci does have a right side up!
Something about this didn't seem right so I did some research on escort.com and escortradar, the company rep, states that this will not adversely affect radar detection. However, some other members *theorized* that it might affect "over the hill" detection.
__________________
2018 Stinger GT
2009 E90 N51 /Active Autowerke Stage 2 tune/BMW Performance Exhaust/
Countermeasure enthusiast.
Appreciate 0
      09-23-2012, 09:02 AM   #15
B-737
Captain
B-737's Avatar
United_States
50
Rep
825
Posts

Drives: a car.
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Jersey Shore

iTrader: (6)

Garage List
2011 328 xi  [7.26]
Quote:
Originally Posted by jippii ensio View Post
Did you try to fit it inside the bumper cover and it didn't fit? That would be too bad, since the higher the better as far as there is room for it inside the bumper.
i didnt have the car long enough to take on the job. im not a fan of behind the bumper cover. your going to get some signal degradation, metallic paint ect... id opt for a position 6 inches lower and open air any day of the week....

Quote:
Originally Posted by upstatedoc View Post
Something about this didn't seem right so I did some research on escort.com and escortradar, the company rep, states that this will not adversely affect radar detection. However, some other members *theorized* that it might affect "over the hill" detection.
Doc,
its my understanding that the 9500ci antennas have a right side up, having to do with a cone of receiving and how the antenna is made and receives. whereas the lower 8500ci does not have a right side up.

what did you learn about this?

im not sure what it is about radar and countermeasures, but its a topic that i love learning and talking about, its something seemingly simple but is pretty technical in nature.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      09-23-2012, 02:02 PM   #16
jippii ensio
Major
68
Rep
1,432
Posts

Drives: 335i
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: On the road

iTrader: (0)

Behind the bumper cover is perfect for those who want to have it concealed.
Appreciate 0
      09-23-2012, 06:46 PM   #17
upstatedoc
I'll get back to you
upstatedoc's Avatar
7556
Rep
2,132
Posts

Drives: blue streak
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: not downstate

iTrader: (2)

Quote:
Originally Posted by jippii ensio View Post
Behind the bumper cover is perfect for those who want to have it concealed.
this is correct as long as the cover is plastic or painted plastic. I thin piece of plastic does not seem to degrade the radar signal much. Metallic paint? I dunno.
__________________
2018 Stinger GT
2009 E90 N51 /Active Autowerke Stage 2 tune/BMW Performance Exhaust/
Countermeasure enthusiast.
Appreciate 0
      09-23-2012, 06:50 PM   #18
upstatedoc
I'll get back to you
upstatedoc's Avatar
7556
Rep
2,132
Posts

Drives: blue streak
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: not downstate

iTrader: (2)

Quote:
Originally Posted by B-737 View Post
im not sure what it is about radar and countermeasures, but its a topic that i love learning and talking about, its something seemingly simple but is pretty technical in nature.
you're a perfect candidate for radardetectorforum.org. they'll have a lot of opinions about the remote reciever. ECCTG even tests all this stuff.
__________________
2018 Stinger GT
2009 E90 N51 /Active Autowerke Stage 2 tune/BMW Performance Exhaust/
Countermeasure enthusiast.
Appreciate 0
      09-28-2012, 07:55 PM   #19
Rollo`
Captain
124
Rep
611
Posts

Drives: 2018 230i
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: US

iTrader: (2)

I may be installing a qi45 in my 09 e90 328i soon...exactly where is the optimum location for the radar antenna?
Appreciate 0
      09-29-2012, 07:24 PM   #20
upstatedoc
I'll get back to you
upstatedoc's Avatar
7556
Rep
2,132
Posts

Drives: blue streak
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: not downstate

iTrader: (2)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rollo` View Post
I may be installing a qi45 in my 09 e90 328i soon...exactly where is the optimum location for the radar antenna?
pic of your front end please
__________________
2018 Stinger GT
2009 E90 N51 /Active Autowerke Stage 2 tune/BMW Performance Exhaust/
Countermeasure enthusiast.
Appreciate 0
      10-05-2012, 08:24 PM   #21
Rollo`
Captain
124
Rep
611
Posts

Drives: 2018 230i
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: US

iTrader: (2)

Quote:
Originally Posted by upstatedoc View Post
pic of your front end please
I was hiking for a few days so I just saw your reply...I'll post a picture soon.

thanks....
Appreciate 0
      10-06-2012, 12:38 PM   #22
jippii ensio
Major
68
Rep
1,432
Posts

Drives: 335i
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: On the road

iTrader: (0)

E.g.

Name:  STiR-BMW-335i-installed.jpg
Views: 2009
Size:  27.8 KB

Name:  335i2.jpg
Views: 1515
Size:  59.6 KB
Appreciate 0
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:49 PM.




e90post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST