m235i sensor positions

[lcasale]

I looked at some of the other BMW installs but the front grills of the m235i appear to be a little different so I wanted to get some feedback on positioning.

5037

So obviously the green configuration would be best, but could I get by with blue or red? Also are these locations too low below the headlights?

[BestRadarDetectors]

Where are you located and where do you travel?

[lcasale]

I live in CT and usually stay in the area (CT, NY, NJ, MA). I have a road trip early next year where I'll be going through OH which I know is a laser happy state.

[BestRadarDetectors]

I live in CT and usually stay in the area (CT, NY, NJ, MA). I have a road trip early next year where I'll be going through OH which I know is a laser happy state.

I would go green and know you are protected from everything out there at this time. By skimping on the 3rd head you might be fine in your area against current guns but you might as well go with the 3 and if new guns come into your area your system will already be ready for it.

[RedRocket]

I looked at some of the other BMW installs but the front grills of the m235i appear to be a little different so I wanted to get some feedback on positioning.

5037

So obviously the green configuration would be best, but could I get by with blue or red? Also are these locations too low below the headlights?I would recommend a Triple for the Front,too. I recently Tested an M4 w/ similar placement to your Green locations... He was bullet proof !
I would suggest pulling the outboard 2 Transponders more inward such that their spacing distance to the Center one is 22-23" separation between each one of them.

Make sure you have X-band Turned-ON when in Ohio. You'll find just about every Trooper w/ the large MPH antenna mounted on the roof racks. I was out there on a Chicago trip ~month ago, never got shot once b/c of the 12 Troopers I saw on I-80/I-90, everyone already had a victim pulled over in the breakdown lane.

[lcasale]

Awesome, thanks for the input guys. I'll go for the three head install and make sure they're all within the proper spacing distance. I posted a separate thread on this but do you guys have any insight on a good location for the control box on these cars? There's a knee airbag under the steering wheel which is where I had my LI install on my 335 so I'm not sure if there's space for it down there anymore.

[BestRadarDetectors]

Awesome, thanks for the input guys. I'll go for the three head install and make sure they're all within the proper spacing distance. I posted a separate thread on this but do you guys have any insight on a good location for the control box on these cars? There's a knee airbag under the steering wheel which is where I had my LI install on my 335 so I'm not sure if there's space for it down there anymore.

Control box is not large and there should be no issue mounting under the dash.

[dinkydi]

also the added benefit of fitting the third head,all the install done one hit, fit and forget

[lcasale]

also the added benefit of fitting the third head,all the install done one hit, fit and forget

Haha very true. So one more detail that I want to make sure I get right. The outer grill slots are recessed quite a bit compared to the center one. I'm assuming I still want the outer sensors pointing straight ahead, but should I avoid being too close to the inner edge? Or will the center sensor pick up the slack there?

5038

[hththt]

I would consider mounting the 3rd head vertical on one of the innermost slats of one of the kidney grill. I have 3 heads on the front of my E90 and have had 4 laser saves so far (10k miles in 2.5yrs, I don't drive a lot)

Remember to shim it so that it's perfectly vertical if the most inner slat is not vertical (looks like it's not)

[AirMoore]

Haha very true. So one more detail that I want to make sure I get right. The outer grill slots are recessed quite a bit compared to the center one. I'm assuming I still want the outer sensors pointing straight ahead, but should I avoid being too close to the inner edge? Or will the center sensor pick up the slack there?

5038

I agree with RR about just inward a smidge on the green (maybe a head length or so), however, with your install and the recent picture you sent the real key is you need to make sure the heads DO NOT follow the drastic curvature of the front end of the car. That can be tricky, but they (all 3 heads) should be pointed directly ahead, with none following the contour of the front end.


For the outer most heads this means the outer edge of those will be sticking out further then the interior (none of the head -especially the bubble-should ever be recessed under/behind the bumper). There was an old saying (not sure if you kids use it anymore): Stealth the ride, not the install. Thankfully the ALP heads are tiny, so it's not a big issue like it would be with a wider head.

[lcasale]

I ran into a lot off issues getting access to those lower outside mesh grilles so ended up settling for a two sensor install for now. When I find the time to take the bumper off I'll go for the 3 sensor install based roughly on the green positions. But for now here's what it looks like...

505450555056

It's hard to tell from the pictures but I've got them pointing straight ahead (maybe off by a few degrees) and level parallel to the ground.