[airwolf878]

Anvar, sounds like you had a blast up there. I'd really like to go sometime too. The local chapter of BMWCCA also does some weekend events up there for a reasonable price.

[MNm3]

I am definitely interested in a track day.

I can probably get a few Porsche guys to come up to help round out the group and possibly lower the expense a bit.

M3x2: If you have not already been to Road America, I would recommend it. If you have been to Brainerd and had a good time, Road America will blow it out of the water... elevation changes=fun...

Oh and your car? Awesome on the track, especially for a road car. Very easy to drive IMO. I learned in Porsches and thought it would be a rough transition but it went quite well. Just had to get used to an engine in front of me.

I am interested in the Valentine. Have any pics? Did you do install on your own? What was final cost/time put in?

[ajvee]

Originally Posted by M3x2

Hardwire V1 install: Just did mine in the E90, with remote display in ashtray (blacks out head unit for more stealth, and places mute button at easy reach). Willing to help anyone else interested.

Appreciate the information M3X2. Careful about offering to help as it most likely will end up with you putting it in and me standing around offering moral support!

[M3x2]

I like this forum!

I definitely am excited about breaking her in (still only 325 mi) and getting her on-track. The vert is a great car, and I did take her to the monday open track school they run (same one Anvar attended), where they do allow verts, but really its not a smart thing to do regularly. That event hooked me for good though! I had just bought the E63 AMG like 3 weeks before that event, and if I had gone to BIR earlier, there would have been no way i would have bought the merc in the first place. Well, sure it can be tracked, but not ideal by any means. Me selling it and getting the new M3 is the proper "correction." It might be more like next spring before I make it to any events, but yes, count me in future events! Also looking forward to more laguna seca in the skip barber formula car, again most likely next spring.

On the V1 front. I took this crappy pictures (not enough light in the garage), but it basically shows the remote control device. The head unit sits right next to rear view miorror and is barely visible to people outside the car. no wires hang down from it






There is a very short (barely) visible wire leading into the ashtray from behind which could have eliminated had I the willingness to drill a hole into the ashtray holding console, but I wasn't, so this install removes cleanly to bone stock if ever need be in the future. No irreversible changes.

When you have the V1 gear, I am at your disposal! BTW, my name is Art, I live in Edina, close to why 62.

[ajvee]

Art,

That install looks really clean and should work with my 1 series as well. I did some local snooping and came up with this:

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ra...829200642.html


I figured I might email him once I confirm that it is the right unit and such. I can buy the remote display separately I figured.

As an aside, a co-worker swears by the passport escort 8500x, what are your thoughts?

Cheers,
Anvar

[M3x2]

I really like having the arrows which tell you were the threat comes from, which the passport does not offer. I also used to have an 8500 and anecdotally, it seemed like the V1 just sniffed out signals better. I also know a number of people who are tech-geeks who read all these tests and also swear by the V1. I have turned off x band and dialed up Ka sensitivity. A detector (no matter what brand) is not a license to drive fast but a gentle reminder that you should watch your speed when you're being monitored!

As for that used unit. seems too cheap to be true. rarely do i see these for less than $300, esp if latest model. I woudl ask for the s/n and call valentine to confirm it is the latest version. If it checks out and you get a good vibe from the seller, pounce on it

[IRL-MN]

Sounds like you had fun at BIR Anvar, great write up. Bravo for having the balls to track your daily driver I would love to do this, but I'm too afraid of f-ing up my car.

Glad there was no damage to the car when you were off. So did you have insurance coverage for the track? How does that work over here?

[IRL-MN]

Originally Posted by M3x2

I like this forum!

I definitely am excited about breaking her in (still only 325 mi) and getting her on-track. The vert is a great car, and I did take her to the monday open track school they run (same one Anvar attended), where they do allow verts, but really its not a smart thing to do regularly. That event hooked me for good though! I had just bought the E63 AMG like 3 weeks before that event, and if I had gone to BIR earlier, there would have been no way i would have bought the merc in the first place. Well, sure it can be tracked, but not ideal by any means. Me selling it and getting the new M3 is the proper "correction." It might be more like next spring before I make it to any events, but yes, count me in future events! Also looking forward to more laguna seca in the skip barber formula car, again most likely next spring.

On the V1 front. I took this crappy pictures (not enough light in the garage), but it basically shows the remote control device. The head unit sits right next to rear view miorror and is barely visible to people outside the car. no wires hang down from it






There is a very short (barely) visible wire leading into the ashtray from behind which could have eliminated had I the willingness to drill a hole into the ashtray holding console, but I wasn't, so this install removes cleanly to bone stock if ever need be in the future. No irreversible changes.

When you have the V1 gear, I am at your disposal! BTW, my name is Art, I live in Edina, close to why 62.

Looks like a clean installation. I have been thinking about a V1 too, but wasn't sure about hardwiring as I didn't want to drill anywhere in the car. How do you have the detector and remote display anchored - are they easily removable? I wouldn't want to leave anything on view when parking. Does the ashtray lid close over top of the display?

[ajvee]

Originally Posted by IRL-MN

Sounds like you had fun at BIR Anvar, great write up. Bravo for having the balls to track your daily driver I would love to do this, but I'm too afraid of f-ing up my car.

Glad there was no damage to the car when you were off. So did you have insurance coverage for the track? How does that work over here?

Thanks Gary! Well, technically since it is not a "competitive" event, your insurance should cover it according to one of the techs that I spoke to at the track. However, BIR itself does not offer any insurance or liability coverage.

[M3x2]

the head unit is visible, but hard to see since its up high. If you're parking at sexworld, you can unclip and take with or place in trunk easily enough.

No drilling at all. The remote happens to fit perfectly into the ashtray (talk about lucky) and is anchored there with the v1-provided velcro adhesive. It does nto move at all when you reach to mute the alerts. The ashtray lid does closes over it to conceal the remote display. Feel free to stop by and inspect my set-up prior to buying/installing. I think it beats the hell out of having the thick wire hanging off the head unit, down your dash, highly visibly....

[ajvee]

Originally Posted by M3x2

I really like having the arrows which tell you were the threat comes from, which the passport does not offer. I also used to have an 8500 and anecdotally, it seemed like the V1 just sniffed out signals better. I also know a number of people who are tech-geeks who read all these tests and also swear by the V1. I have turned off x band and dialed up Ka sensitivity. A detector (no matter what brand) is not a license to drive fast but a gentle reminder that you should watch your speed when you're being monitored!

As for that used unit. seems too cheap to be true. rarely do i see these for less than $300, esp if latest model. I woudl ask for the s/n and call valentine to confirm it is the latest version. If it checks out and you get a good vibe from the seller, pounce on it

emailed the guy! . Perhaps I can get a good deal on this bad boy. If not, will just buy new. Appreciate the information Art!

[IRL-MN]

Originally Posted by M3x2

the head unit is visible, but hard to see since its up high. If you're parking at sexworld, you can unclip and take with or place in trunk easily enough.

No drilling at all. The remote happens to fit perfectly into the ashtray (talk about lucky) and is anchored there with the v1-provided velcro adhesive. It does nto move at all when you reach to mute the alerts. The ashtray lid does closes over it to conceal the remote display. Feel free to stop by and inspect my set-up prior to buying/installing. I think it beats the hell out of having the thick wire hanging off the head unit, down your dash, highly visibly....

I don't know how you found out, but it's good to know that my V1 would be safe when I park there

So does the head unit just mount with the regular suction cup or is there a specific bracket? I just remembered that my new car will not have the ashtray as they deleted it in 09 I think, I'll just have an ugly hole there, so it's good to know that the remote can easily be removed!

[airwolf878]

Originally Posted by M3x2

If you're parking at sexworld, you can unclip and take with or place in trunk easily enough.

[M3x2]

regular scution cups that come with the unit. here's a better picture of the remote display in my "ashtray" though it looks more like a coin tray. I just tried closing the door and it closes but takes a little messin with. Anyway, I mostly park in covered secure areas and/or am in/out of the store quickly so i dont worrk about the remote unit being visible



here's a picture of the head unit taken from outside. Even without the glare, it's still hard to see the unit.


and from the inside, head unit

[IRL-MN]

[QUOTE=M3x2;7691312]regular scution cups that come with the unit. here's a better picture of the remote display in my "ashtray" though it looks more like a coin tray. I just tried closing the door and it closes but takes a little messin with. Anyway, I mostly park in covered secure areas and/or am in/out of the store quickly so i dont worrk about the remote unit being visible


here's a picture of the head unit taken from outside. Even without the glare, it's still hard to see the unit.


and from the inside, head unit


That does look nicely integrated, nice work. I never park on the street, so the only place that I'd worry about leaving this attached would be a ramp when I go into the city or at the airport. Shouldn't be that much hassle to whip it off though.

I guess the M3 got to keep the ashtray then! My '08 has the same setup as you, but they dropped it since. Not that I smoke in the car or would ever think of using the lighter, but it's just cheaping out in my opinion

[nferber]

I just hardwired my V1 a few months ago. I assume it is the same set-up as M3x2, but I can't see images at work. The install is very easy, no drilling at all. It is as simple as picking up a add-a-fuse from the auto parts store, and just routing a few wires from the headliner to the fuse box. I put my concealed display by the gauge cluster though, just ran the wire up the leather cover behind the steering wheel and put the display in front of the MPG gauge. It covers up the gauge, but the MPG gauge is pretty much worthless anyway. But it makes it a lot easier to see then looking down at the ashtray.

I can post picture if you guys want. I'm also available to help install if anyone needs.

[M3x2]

nferber is correct. it's really easy to do

[ajvee]

Have this coming in the mail. Ceramic coated midpipes and and axleback. I love the burble of my exhuast on throttle lift offs and downshits, but wanted something that would sound less muffled on throttle and at WOT. Anyway, hopefully the install is straightforward!

[IRL-MN]

Originally Posted by nferber

I just hardwired my V1 a few months ago. I assume it is the same set-up as M3x2, but I can't see images at work. The install is very easy, no drilling at all. It is as simple as picking up a add-a-fuse from the auto parts store, and just routing a few wires from the headliner to the fuse box. I put my concealed display by the gauge cluster though, just ran the wire up the leather cover behind the steering wheel and put the display in front of the MPG gauge. It covers up the gauge, but the MPG gauge is pretty much worthless anyway. But it makes it a lot easier to see then looking down at the ashtray.

I can post picture if you guys want. I'm also available to help install if anyone needs.

A photo would be great! I'd like to see how the display looks in the instrument cluster.

[IRL-MN]

Originally Posted by ajvee

Have this coming in the mail. Ceramic coated midpipes and and axleback. I love the burble of my exhuast on throttle lift offs and downshits, but wanted something that would sound less muffled on throttle and at WOT. Anyway, hopefully the install is straightforward!

Well I guess you have decided to stick with the 1er a little longer eh? Looking forward to hearing this, you better have it installed by meet time!

[nferber]

Here are the pics of my install. The main unit is located in pretty much the same spot, but the remote display is in front of the gauge cluster. All wiring is hidden as much as possible.

[BrianMN]

Interesting mounting it to the right of the mirror. I guess your concealed display brings it closer for you, but the right side of the mirror would be quite a reach for me to mute it.

Good job though.