LI installed today on my old BMW 3 series (pics)

**dorcse** · 10-06-2007, 02:49 PM

Wanted to share my pics and observations of the LI install on my 1991 BMW 325I.

Had a friend of mine give me a hand with the install this morning. Overall things went pretty smoothly.

A few notes:

The cpu is very small and easy to mount (I decided to mount it under the dash). I won't give the dimensions of the box again. Someone already posted those. But the box weighs perhaps 5 ounces (just guessing) and is no longer than a ballpoint pen. Decided to wire the LI to a switched circuit in my bimmer (So with the LI switch left in the “on” position - LI will be powered on and off and controlled by the car’s ignition switch).

We did have a little difficulty routing the modular plugs (that are on the ends of the head cables) through the firewall. We used the main wiring port that feeds wires from my car's fuse box in the engine compartment through the firewall and into an area under the dash. It probably would have been easier to just drill another hole in the firewall, but eventually we were able to feed the module plugs through the wiring port with a snake.. push & pull

I decided to mount the heads under and flush with the bumper (as pictured.. see links bellow). I think the install is pretty covert. I initially thought I would mount the heads in the grill. But the grill slats on this old 3 series are very narrow and pitched down. There's no way I would have gotten the heads in there and level without cutting a slat or two.. ouch!

So with this install..

Heads do seem to have a good "view" of the road and are reasonably level and parallel to the road.

Heads are mounted so the "bubble" receivers are on the outside (toward the corners of the car). Hopefully this will give me good coverage on any extreme angle/close up shots? (Thanks for the tips RacerX and Interceptor.. Ivan)

Heads are spaced about 21 inches apart.

Each head is within 6 inches of the (right/left) edge of the front plate (and within 12 inches of the center of plate).

Each head’s "bubble" receiver is located within 11 inches of the outside (low beam) headlight (measured diagonally) and within 8 inches of the inside (high beam) headlight (measured vertically).

On the interior you will notice that we were able to mount LI’s Power/Kill switch right next to the shifter on the console. (That little black switch really looks like it may have come standard with the bimmer!) The switch location seems perfect for the real world encounters that I envision:

For Highway: LI/V1 alert to LIDAR.. downshift to 4th or brake.. insure/adjust to PSL.. hit the kill switch.

For City: Well I make it a point to always drive the PSL (and usually slightly under the PSL) in the City.

And I guess that's it.

I certainly welcome any comments, suggestions, observations.. etc.

Take care and best to all!

EJM

PICS:

http://s218.photobucket.com/albums/c...nyinstall5.jpg

http://s218.photobucket.com/albums/c...nyinstall8.jpg

http://s218.photobucket.com/albums/c...nyinstall3.jpg

http://s218.photobucket.com/albums/c...nyinstall4.jpg

http://s218.photobucket.com/albums/c...nyinstall7.jpg

**crazyVOLVOrob** · 10-06-2007, 02:52 PM

the heads need to be pointed straight down the road...they look a bit pointing to the sides

**Blown Z** · 10-06-2007, 07:39 PM

Nice install and even nicer car! I love those E30's.

**thestaton** · 10-06-2007, 07:43 PM

I love your interior install that is very nice. It could just be the pictures but it looks like the left head is a little off...

that car is really growing on me as well. are they pretty reliable?

**Roadghost** · 10-06-2007, 07:55 PM

Nice job. The front of the car has lots of things to throw the eyes off, so nobody is going to notice those heads. Love those old Beemers, from the days when they were driven by serious drivers.

**dorcse** · 10-07-2007, 06:07 AM

Originally Posted by thestaton

I love your interior install that is very nice. It could just be the pictures but it looks like the left head is a little off...

that car is really growing on me as well. are they pretty reliable?

I can honestly say that is my favorite of all the cars I've owned. I'm the 2nd owner of this 1991 E-30 (purchased in 1999 with 68K miles). This car now has 195K and performs quite beautifully. I did have a full paint job done in 1999. It has never had a major engine or transmission issue as long as I've owned it. I do change the oil every 3-4K and follow my mechanic's suggestions for service. I'm about to have a timing belt installed. (This is a maintenance item that needs to be replaced every 40 to 60K. I've put so many miles on this car and had it so long that I'm installing my 3rd timing belt!

Upgrades done: M-3 quick steering rack, Bilstein sport struts/shocks for stiffer suspension, K&N air intake (factory air box removed for better breathing/increased HP) BAV Performance Chip (increased HP and higher red line rpm limit) and of course I added a V1 years ago and now an LI for some license protection

Anyway.. sorry to get way off topic!

Today I'm going to have a closer look at those heads. When we did the install yesterday my friend's car was parked directly in front of mine. I don't think I got a clear perspective of the head positions because I was too close to the front of my car :roll: Now when I step back I can see that they need adjustment.. especially that left head as mentioned.

I'll post a new front end pic after I adjust the heads.

Thanks very much guys!

PS: Mike, I do want to donate good old "Laser Buster" for inclusion in the next GOL test, if you guys want it. I think it would be fun to see if that thing can jam any current LIDAR (and how many and what kind of jam codes it will throw). Might also be a great way to show how the latest generation of jammers differ from those from 1997 ..such as "Laser Buster." Let me know if you want Mr. Buster and I'll send him on his way.