Hi all,

I just got my Z4 and I haven't yet figured out the best place to mount my V1 radar detector. Apologies in advance if this isn't the correct forum to pose this question, but I was wondering what anyone else with a Z4 and V1 has done.

I know I can use the suction cup mounting bracket, but I hate to lose the visibility. The visor bracket has a small upturned lip at the end of the metal tang that would badly scratch the plastic window surround if I hang the V1 off of the visor. I was thinking about getting a spare visor bracket and cutting the last inch off of the metal tang.

Thanks in advance for sharing your experience. Best,

I am also interested. I have a V1 ordered for my car as well. I would like to hard wire mine and am wondering if there is a switched power source under the overhead light panel above the mirrior?? GH

I mounted mine with the suction cups very high on the windshield and just to the left of the rear-view mirror.

I hardwired it into the power in the domelight area and got a 8" length of clear phone cord for the power so there's no slack and the clear cord is not as visible as a black cord.

Very clean and out of the way, yet in a perfect spot to monitor alarms.

There's several install how-to articles out there. The E46 ones are applicable as well.

I, too, hardwired my V1 to the overhead map light console. However, I used the visor clip and have the V1 on the right side of my driver side visor (wires barely showing). Put it on the visor so that the unit wouldn't be showing through the windshield. Although the V1 is a little back, it has never failed me. Also, it is easier to take off when leaving the car with the cabin open.

Here's some pics of my placement. Forgive the dusty car and the bad focus. The wire snakes out of the existing hole for the rain sensor wiring.
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d45/zuzax/V1_1.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d45/zuzax/V1_2.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d45/zuzax/V1_4.jpg

With a V1 mounted up top, can people or cops see it when they are behind up with the top down.

If they can see your rear view they can see the V1. In California it's not illegal so that's not a problem but might be for you guys in other states. If your state is like that you can always wire your V1 with a remote display in your dash or console.

Zuzax: Do you use a BMW Sunshade? If you do, does it fit with the V1 in the position? I'm having a hard time figuring out where to mount it where it will still allow me to use the sunshade.

With a V1 mounted up top, can people or cops see it when they are behind up with the top down.Yes, but I don't care. Everyone seems to have some sort of radar detector in Texas. I think the only state where detectors are illegal is Virginia, and also in D.C.If they can see your rear view they can see the V1. In California it's not illegal so that's not a problem but might be for you guys in other states. If your state is like that you can always wire your V1 with a remote display in your dash or console.

Zuzax: Do you use a BMW Sunshade? If you do, does it fit with the V1 in the position? I'm having a hard time figuring out where to mount it where it will still allow me to use the sunshade.No I don't use one. If I'm not driving it the car is pretty much always in the garage. If I'm parking somewhere for a bit with the top down (like a quick in-out at Starbucks) I will pull the driver's sunvisor down to cover it from casual view. In the picture the flash made it look prominent from the front, but it's not that noticable. More people ask if the rain sensor is a radar detector.

If I were to park it somewhere for a while with the top up I would stow the V1 in the center bin or the trunk, just for peace of mind.

Does anybody know what color wire under the mirrior, dome light fixture is switched? I have a basic 3.0i with nothing up there but the interior lights and they are not switched. GH

If they can see your rear view they can see the V1. In California it's not illegal so that's not a problem but might be for you guys in other states. If your state is like that you can always wire your V1 with a remote display in your dash or console.

Zuzax: Do you use a BMW Sunshade? If you do, does it fit with the V1 in the position? I'm having a hard time figuring out where to mount it where it will still allow me to use the sunshade.


With my V1 mounted on the driver's side visor, I have no problem with my BMW sunshield.

I have it on my driver side visor as well and it clears the sunshade just fine but I want to hardwire it and use the suction cups so I wanted to see where I could put it.

GH41: The wire you want to tap into is a red wire with white stripe and yellow dots. This is the "accessory" wire and it will give power to the v1 whenever the key is at or past the 2nd position and off when it is out.

You could always mod your sunshade to fit around the V1.:D

Ya but that would make my sunshade do even less, I need all the UV protection I can get with my black interior and black car.