When performing this mod many times the biggest challenge is finding a suitable location to hide the main radar unit and maintain full sensitivity of the radar detection. In the E39 M5 we originally placed the unit inside the headliner, just behind the map light assembly. The radar detector doesn't like to see through anything metal and the map light was affecting the unit's forward radar reception. We moved the radar unit to the rear middle headrest, which seems to be the perfect location to allow full stealth integration and clear unobstructed radar reception. Here's a few pics of the headrest integration.
__________________ Valentine 1 Rear View Mirror Integration - Group Buy HERE The DFW Auto Club (Dallas/Ft Worth) meets every Saturday morning at The Shops at Starwood @ Lebanon & the Dallas North Tollway. For more information please visit dfwautoclub.com
2004 Silver Gray M3/SMG/HPF Stage 2.5/RAC RG4/TC Kline/Stoptech/AP Exhaust
60 - 130 Times - Pump: 7.03/Pump + Methanol: 6.43/Race + Methanol 5.86
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wow thats sick. My only question tho is, how does it pick up the laser thru the leather? It would be incredible if you could put a tinted window of some sort to let it see the lasers.
Great work indeed.
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Dinan Exhaust cans (Thanks Timmay77 and btmlinedan), Brake duct mod with "Black Chrome" custom rings (Thanks Timmay77 and Diny), Dinan RSB with BeastPower brackets (Thanks Firehire, MFreakin5 and btmlinedan)
wow thats sick. My only question tho is, how does it pick up the laser thru the leather? It would be incredible if you could put a tinted window of some sort to let it see the lasers.
Great work indeed.
There's no laser detection unless you want to cut out a window, which I doubt many will want to do. Laser detection won't prevent a ticket anyway, laser jammer is the only effective defense.
I like the rear headrest integration.. if sensitivity is fully maintained. I love the mirror integration.
My unit is positioned top of the rear window (sunshades close up against it), but mirror integration would be a great enhancement. Do you get many requests for full stealth integration? Seems like a lot of work, unless it is a legality issue.
When i had mine done back in 2000... We put the detector in the spot where you originally had it. Up in the headliner. But we cut out the front of the headliner(facing the windshield)... we put the red V1 front cover there so the laser function was still active. Then we used the rear red cover and built a small angled section to the laser could still be identified from the rear. Im sure there are photos on this web site somewhere... they are pretty old though.
nice job by the way.....
Why take it out of the case?? Seems like it would fit with the case on.
Where does the audible alert come from?
Nice work, nice post!
Thx
A
PS Did you make or buy that mirror?
If you look at the headrest in the full down position the rear deck starts to obstruct the detector, it's always preferred to have the unit mounted as high as possible, removing the unit from the case allowed me to move it up at least an inch. Valentine makes a remote audio accessory that has an on/off switch, volume and mute control. It can be mounted anywhere you wish. I make the mirrors, there is a group buy posted HERE is anyone is interested in having one made for their car.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike S.
Nice work. Any difficulty in retrofitting the round M5 rear-view mirror?
No problem installing this in the oval mirrors.
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nice work, im guessing its because radar detectors are illegal in some states is why you are doing this.
This actually started by accident, I own a HPF Turbo M3 and wanted to move the wideband and boost gauges that come with the kit off the steering column to a more oem appearing location. I had seen the V1 mirrors before and decided to figure out how to integrate the gauges into my rear view mirror - no small undertaking. It took several months and a few ruined mirrors but in the end I'm very proud of the finished product. HPF now purchases the mirrors from me for their turbo kits as an optional upgrade. I initially attempted to etch the silvering off of my oem mirror, similar to the V1 mirrors I had seen and it just never looked acceptable to me. A friend owns a glass company and we ended up completely replacing the oem mirror with a custom fabricated one way glass, which only displays the led's that are illuminated and looks much much better imo. Because we were able to develop a unique approach to integrating the display inside the mirror we decided to offer this with the V1 display as well. I hadn't thought about radar detectors being illegal in some states, it was mostly just that it looks very cool, eliminates the risk of theft and damage to your car and should you get pulled over for speeding - being able to quickly shut the unit down and conceal it's presence may help you avoid a ticket.
I installed the headrest and mirror in an E39 M5 tonight, I will add the pics to my OP as soon as I have time to get them uploaded.
V1 inside mirror with silvering removed (not mine)
V1 inside my custom fabricated mirror
What my mirror looks like with the V1 turned off
HPF M3 mirror with integrated gauges
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