Sti-R plus antenna behind BMW kidney grille

[KCB]

I have read on older posts that mounting behind some types if grilles can seriously decrease radar performance. It seems that Veil Guy has installed his behind the grille and gets very good detection rage. I would like to install mine behind grille, do you think that there will be a significant decrease in rage and/or response time ?

[upstatedoc]

Yes?

[ersin]

I have yet (but not sure about 6 and 7 series) to see a late model BMW with anything other than plastic kidney grills. I know they are shiny and look like metal, but they are plastic. I think you'll be ok mounting behind the grill.

[v1user]

.

[ersin]

Yes, I believe DJ installed his 9500ci antenna behind the grill when he drove a mustang. I though he said it KILLED the range. I believe REBinc also found the same thing.

If the grill were metallic then that would explain the degradation. Do you know if either DJ or REBinc had metal grills?

To the OP: If your BMW is like my M3 then there is a second opening below the kidney grills, right below where the front license plate goes, that you could mount the head. The grill in this area is far enough back that you'd be mounting the head in front of the grill instead of behind it so that would eliminate any worry about signal attenuation by the grill. Only possible drawback is that it is very low. I've heard some say that this is better for picking up the radar signal so maybe it's not an issue.

[EscortRadar]

BMW's kidney grille is usually chrome plated. Chrome plating is metallic which will significantly impact radar performance. If you want maximum performance from the system then mount the receiver with a clear view of the road.

[KCB]

My grille is plastic. Would a plastic grille have a significant effect ?

[EscortRadar]

Some have reported performance issues mounting the receiver behind a grille. It is most probably better to mount it behind a flat plastic fascia than behind a grille, just be sure there is no metal in front of the receiver including chrome. It sounds odd but the grille will unequally effect the radar wavefront while a flat plastic surface will more equally effect it.

[lugnuts]

doesn't the STi-R+ have a laser sensor built in just like the old STi-R? if so you would lose that if it were behind anything.

[radarrob]

not good to put behind a grill.im about
max performance when I install any rd remote antenna.