[aaa_cubed]

I just got my Valentine 1 and was doing a search for a DIY but only got some E63 and a 2007 M5 install where the interior is different. Does it matter? Is there anything different that must be done on a 2008 model? Please help me out. Thanks.

 

[ssigarto]

HI aaa cubed, there is very little difference. You will find power in the passenger footwell under the glove box. Run the wires neatly in the trim from the top of the windshield all the way down to the bottom of the glove box. Additionally, I installed a remote display just above my ashtray. i have the same 08 model as you.

 

[MMMMM 5]

i used a walkthrough on 5series.net if that helps u

 

[aaa_cubed]

Thanks ssigarto,

I want to mount a remote display but didn't want it all the way down in my ashtray, I wanted to put it somewhere closer to my line of sight when I drive. I also came across a gauge display:

Podi.ca | Gauge solutions for Audi and VW (go to the bottom of the page)

That is an option and the problem with that option is that I haven't found a single gauge pod for the M5, I could fab one up since I have a 3D printer in my office with a bunch of designers who could draft one up for me and techs to change the LED's to an orange to match the BMW's interior which would look very cool IMO or I could just get a regular remote display from V1.

Also, is there some way to get power from the lights up front on the headliner? There must be a way to get power from there instead of running a wire across the headliner and down the pillar to get to the footwell.

 

[spinny]

Yes there's power up top in the headliner right by the dome lights. There's a thread I started on this a few days ago with pics.. it's only a few threads below this one.

I don't understand the point of the remote display in the ashtray, kind of awkward to take your eyes off the road and look down there when your radar is going off.

I have my detector up high, right next to my rearview mirror. No one in the car ever even notices it until it beeps and they go "what the hell is that?".

Good luck.

 

[avlnch]

I just wrote a quick DIY for someone else this morning..

If you have not already, you can purchase a Valentine 1 unit online, direct from the manufacture's store.
Online Store [Defense Gear] URL: https://store.valentine1.com/Store/partsdept.asp
The very first listing, ITEM #20015 "Valentine One Radar With Laser Warning". Add to cart.

Before you checkout, you will need to go to the V1 Online Store's Part's area and purchase the hardwire kit that includes everything
Online Store [Parts Dept] URL: https://store.valentine1.com/Store/partsdept.asp
Scroll down and purchase a quantity of ONE (1) "Direct-Wire Power Adapter Kit" ITEM #00030 - Add to cart. This includes everything:
- Includes ITEM #20305 "Direct-Wire Power Adapter"
- Includes ITEM #20311 "Straight Power Cord"
- Includes ITEM #20303 "1 AMP Cylinder Fuse"
- Includes ITEM #20310 "Wiring Harness Connector"

I pulled together some photos of my car and someone else's car (random person) to give you a quick DIY tutorial.

You are going to install the V1 cabling inside of the front main interior light dome, as pictured below. To remove the light dome, place a long flat object against the long edge between the sunroof/sos buttons and the single light buttons. Insert into that edge and pry up so the light housing is being pushed down. The best tool to use is a drywall knife, but you can get away with a credit card, I used a metal one I had handy in my wallet. You could use a hard plastic one, or just about anything like it that is long/thin/flat.

Now you can use just your hand to remove the second half of the unit (the alcantara/headliner material piece with the SOS & Sun Roof button). Once it is removed, disconnect the one cable hanging onto the light dome (unlatched from roof in prior step) so you have space while you work.

Now you want to assemble the take the black unit and the red wire (hot wire) and neatly place it inside of the now open area shown below. The "Main Unit" port (not the Accessory port) is where you will plug your straight power cord (telephone jack cord) and you will run the other end out the front of the headliner by the windshield. Give yourself some slack so it can connect to your V1 which will be right up against the headliner to the left of your mirror.

The red wire (hot wire) comes with the Valentine 1 kit. You will connect the red wire into the greenish-yellow cable from the BMW compartment you have given yourself access to. You connect the two wires by using the wiring harness connector which came with the V1 hardwire kit. The green cable is the only cable in the bundle that will work as it is connected to the ignition. When you turn your car on/off the Valentine 1 will turn on/off with it.

Now we need to make the ground connection. The black cable (NOT the straight power cord, it is the round black cable)sWe will use an existing bolt and washer that is for the M5's sunroof motor. You can find this bolt and washer by locating the SIEMENS sticker, then looking directly to the left. It is shown in the two photos below. You must loosen this bolt (you can use the wrench in your trunk next to the first aid kit), make contact with the wire as seen, and then tighten it down again. MAKE SURE YOU CORRECTLY GROUND THE WIRE.

Now make sure everything is neat as possible, and put away. Make sure the telephone cable is inserted into the correct port in the V1 Adapter (black piece). Make sure your ground is good. Make sure you ran the flat telephone cable out of the headliner by the windshield and leave about an inch and a half or so of cable coming out from the headliner so there is enough slack to connect it into the V1. Test to see if your V1 has power by quickly inserting the other end of the power cord (telephone cable) into your V1. If you have power, reinstall the sunroof panel, connect the cable to your light dome and reinstall the light dome.

Here is a photo of my V1 in my car - this should be your end result:

Notice how my V1 is touching the top of the headliner and the corner by the mirror. I have it this way so that it does not shake at all while driving. Also notice how it is pointing straight / is flat and not tilted neither upwards or downwards. This allows the V1 unit to be the most effective as signals are not coming from the sky, nor the street, they are coming from the front and from the rear.


This is a brief DIY that I typed up very quickly, but should guide you along just fine.

 

[avlnch]

Yes there's power up top in the headliner right by the dome lights. There's a thread I started on this a few days ago with pics.. it's only a few threads below this one.

I don't understand the point of the remote display in the ashtray, kind of awkward to take your eyes off the road and look down there when your radar is going off.

I have my detector up high, right next to my rearview mirror. No one in the car ever even notices it until it beeps and they go "what the hell is that?".

Good luck.

I agree.. I also think it is totally pointless because you still need the V1 unit to the left (or right) of the mirror. The concealed display only makes sense if you are going to do a custom setup with external sensors (like where people mount jammers front+rear bumpers). And if your going to do that, you might as well get the V1 etched into the mirror.. your already half way there you know. I think it might be possible to mount sensors in the interior of the car too.. one in the headliner behind the rear view mirror and one behind the interior rear brake light.

 

[Alan740]

The purpose of the remote display is so that you cannot see the V1 display from outside the car at night. Sometimes people will "draft" you when they know you have detection. Also, some cops look for it.

I probably would NOT mount my V1 that high and in the middle. You have a rear roof that slopes down a bit and a light cluster in the middle of the roof that could interfere a bit. I usually mount mine to the left of the rear view mirror.

 

[ideliver]

my remote is at the base of the A pillar...i got the custom modded one off ebay that is very thin and the the plug is in the back...works great...I can keep my eyes up...

 

[avlnch]

The purpose of the remote display is so that you cannot see the V1 display from outside the car at night. Sometimes people will "draft" you when they know you have detection. Also, some cops look for it.

I probably would NOT mount my V1 that high and in the middle. You have a rear roof that slopes down a bit and a light cluster in the middle of the roof that could interfere a bit. I usually mount mine to the left of the rear view mirror.

Would never mount it anywhere but to the left of the mirror. I have found that mounting it against the headliner is the best because it keeps the V1 stable. Have not had any issues with detection and it has a direct path out the front and rear glass.

 

[aaa_cubed]

I agree.. I also think it is totally pointless because you still need the V1 unit to the left (or right) of the mirror. The concealed display only makes sense if you are going to do a custom setup with external sensors (like where people mount jammers front+rear bumpers). And if your going to do that, you might as well get the V1 etched into the mirror.. your already half way there you know. I think it might be possible to mount sensors in the interior of the car too.. one in the headliner behind the rear view mirror and one behind the interior rear brake light.

Now this has me thinking, how do I do a stealth install where I can mount the sensors in the front and back? Is there a DIY out there for this?

 

[avlnch]

Now this has me thinking, how do I do a stealth install where I can mount the sensors in the front and back? Is there a DIY out there for this?

There is no DIY, it would be a very pricey install for the external sensors.. I would guess close to the price for a laser jammer install.
Also, if you go ahead with this, you may as well do the second part of the mod (goes hand in hand with external sensors), V1 concealed display placed inside the mirror, with etched glass for a transparent view of warning indicators.

Thread: http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e6...08-custom-v1-display-my-rear-view-mirror.html
YouTube Video Example (M5 Mirror)

 

[ssigarto]

There are states, like VA, where a radar detector is ilegal. In those states, it works well to have a remote display that is well below eye site where the officer behind you can see the detector light up just as well as you and then pull you over and confiscate such device.

 

[avlnch]

There are states, like VA, where a radar detector is ilegal. In those states, it works well to have a remote display that is well below eye site where the officer behind you can see the detector light up just as well as you and then pull you over and confiscate such device.

I am not telling you to break the law, I am just showing you the cleanest way to install a V1 into your M5. You can turn the V1 off when in VA, and on when outside VA.

Your best method for install would be to mount the external sensors (pretty sure it is possible) INSIDE of the car. One facing out the front glass inside of the headliner, infront of the mirror. The second facing out the rear glass, inside of the headliner above/below the brake light.

Install the actual V1 device inside of your car, however place it above the main/front light cluster (where most people ground their V1 wires.. next to the sunroof motor). Alternatively, you can place the device in the ashtray (if you have an 06MY), but this is not as stealth.

Install the display inside of your mirror, as shown in the YouTube video I posted earlier. The mirror will not show any etch marks, so when the V1 is powered off, you have just a 100% reflective mirror. When turned on you see the small band indicator circles, strength circles, mode (l,L,A), and arrows. You will need to purchase the rear view mirror glass from the OP in the thread I linked earlier, and find a worthy installer to do this.

Install an on/off/volume switch or knob into one of the dead panels by your headlight controls/heads-up switch.

You need to find a capable installer for this to be done correctly and effectively. Make sure the sensors are mounted high and have a clear view.

This would result in a 100% undetectable install, assuming your turn the unit off using the provided switch when needed.

 

[randywei]

HI aaa cubed, there is very little difference. You will find power in the passenger footwell under the glove box. Run the wires neatly in the trim from the top of the windshield all the way down to the bottom of the glove box. Additionally, I installed a remote display just above my ashtray. i have the same 08 model as you.

ssigarto, did you just use the cigarette lighter in the passenger side? Or did you use a splicer for the cig lighter power and ground on a bolt or something? How are you providing power to your V1? I just ordered mine a few days ago and am trying to find the best way to install it. Thanks in advance.

 

[BMWM5Driver]

perfect!! I have removed my hardwired V1 from multiple Bimmers, and its pretty easy. Take your time and read before you start. I've used these direction each time as as guide... M 3 . M A D R U S S I A N . N E T

 

[WallyM5]

Would never mount it anywhere but to the left of the mirror. I have found that mounting it against the headliner is the best because it keeps the V1 stable. Have not had any issues with detection and it has a direct path out the front and rear glass.

Thanks used your pictures and instructions this weekend and it took me about 20 minutes. I can't believe I waited 4 weeks to do this. I mounted mine up high to the left of the mirror.

 

[axvel]

I know this is not e36 and no i would never take my e60 m5 cluster apart, but this looks cool. I wish there would be a way to have valentine one with the digital out on the nav screen like the sensors window to the side.

 

[MMMMM 5]

unfortunately thats where our oil cooling gauge is located. i wish there was a cool place to put mine. i actually just got rid of my V1 and went to the 9500ix escort. MUCH better!

 

[Clyde]

I wish there would be a way to have valentine one with the digital out on the nav screen like the sensors window to the side.

Where there is a will there is a way :lightbulb:
The question is how many owners would be willing to pay for an interface that would be more expensive than the V1 itself hmmm