New M3 needs protection

[wdlfbio]

Howdy folks. First time posting here, mostly becasue we bought a new M3 last week, and it's a beast. It's the Warden's car, and her right foot is much heavier than her left. Plus, this thing is a beast and really needs to be allowed to roam wild So, I need some protection for her. I think I've learned quite a bit just from reading your reviews/comments, but now it's time for a Q and A.

I used a V1 driving it from Long Beach, CA to Seattle, WA and it saved our butts several times, though can't honestly recall a laser hit. I really like the arrow display, especially when LEO is passing front to back. It's nice to know, he's going the other way and the front is clear

I've read the reviews about the V1's sensitivity and attitudes (good and bad) toward it. I'm comparing it against the 9500ix. Both have benefits and drawbacks. I think the pros and cons of each are pretty well discussed by folks here, so no need to rehash those. But, should I give the 9500ix preference because of its GPS ability?

We're in Western WA, and that's about the only place this car will see. We do a bit of driving into Seattle and Bellevue, and I'm pretty sure both towns have a few RLC/Speed cameras. I don't know where they are or if there are enough of them to warrant to 9500ix. Plus, what happens if a LEO sits in the same place 4 days in a row? After day 3, would the autofeature lock out his signal, thereby allowing him to get us on day 4?

If the RLC/speed cameras aren't enough of a reason to get the 9500ix, I'll probably go with the V1.

Laser countermeasures will follow, but not really sure yet. I have more reading to do and want to figure out our cars reflectivity. Being white with a bit of chrome (front kidneys), I suspect the whole front end would offer a great target? But, it is fairly sleek, so perhaps the headlights something on the plate would suffice if she gets a LIDAR hit and slows rapidly??? VEIL isn't really appealing right now, because I don't think the car would look anywhere hear as nice with tinted headlights. Might end up with LI.

[9500ier]

For me its about where I am driving. On the highway I want the V1 but in the city I want the 9500i(x). Also, I dont run redlights (well except in Miami where it is required to get anywhere and accepted by LEOs) so the RLC database is not a big deal for me.

Also, you will need a jammer at some point but consider a black or painted kidney grills... they look really good anyhow.

[YTCD]

Son of a b****! Haha, you got an M3! I'm keeping this 325is for about 6 months and then getting a 2002 M3 SMG. But I don't understand why your settling for a V1 or 9500ix. When I get my M3 it will be decked out. 9500ci and STI R, LI 4 Head, fully custom install, and a lot more. I want to be able to speed and not really have to worry about it. I would deffinatly consider getting a 9500ci if you have a nice car like that. But only if your driving it too. But if she is mainly driving it then get the 9500ix because its quite and she won't have to worry much.

[djrams80]

The Seattle area has both RLC and "speed on green" cameras. You need either an Escort or Cheetah product to determine the difference between them. Also, laser is heavily used by WSP. Mostly Ultralytes. You need a good laser jammer.

[hockey005]

Hardwired Valentine 1
Quad LI
Escort 9500ci (for the speed cameras and rlc as dj said + extra sensitivity with the arrows from the v1) but ditch the zr4 heads

then ur stealth

[YTCD]

Hardwired Valentine 1
Quad LI
Escort 9500ci (for the speed cameras and rlc as dj said + extra sensitivity with the arrows from the v1) but ditch the zr4 heads

then ur stealth

Not a bad idea. If i did do that though, I would enable ka band only. That way I don't have to worry about falses, and the threats Im worried about are really only ka band anyways. But then again the V1 isn't spectre proof so I couldn't do it even though I would like too.

[YTCD]

Ultimate Radar Detector!



I can see it now!

Whens V1's patent up?

[wdlfbio]

I thought about the 9500ci, but $1500 is getting steep and it doesn't appear to be great with the laser detection, hence the need for a V1 too?

I would like to keep the interior from turning into a car stereo shop also, so I'd probably end up with a fairly good detector, and a nice laser jammer (like the LI, not sure that she'll REALLY need the 4 heads?). I'm leaning to the 9500ix for it's ability to handle the RLC and speed cameras...

That's $$1,100 - 1,200 (If we go with 2 heads instead of 4 and I'll do all the install myself) versus $1,500. Is the ci worth the extra $300 - $400?

Son of a b****! Haha, you got an M3!

The drive from Long Beach to Seattle put it over the break-in period, so I told her I'd go ahead and bring it into the shop for her today...then on to work. I had a really fun lunch Launch control with the Dual Clutch Tranny is fun (glad it's a lease).

[YTCD]

Yeah I love the M3, not a better looking car for 25k imo. Especially when you upgrade it. I love that smg transmission too. All three transmissions into one. Manual, Steering Wheel Pedal Shifters, & Automatic. Plus the automatic you can set it for how to ****. A1 you get best gas milage and low rpm ****s too A6 Where you get 0.08 shift times and red line.

This is sort of how mine will look when it gets done:

[Motor On]

Go with the V1, if you can safely do it disable X in your area and that'll shut it up dramatically.

If you feel you need it, get a jammer. LI appears to be cream of the crop right now, LPP and blinder are also competitive enough to consider, remember you dont' need a JTG just enough to get within the officers threshold to a ticket (I'd say within 5 of PSL). (Personally I run w/out a jammer due to legal reasons, use good eyes and the V1 for alerts (I've gotten scatter many times form vehicles ahead giving me time to adjust, knock on wood it's held up for me as being effective)

Sign up for and pick the method that best suits your use for Trapster (get alerts for areas where there is active police enforcement, and a free database of RLC and speed cameras.

And if you're goin' to spend any time on the highway invest $70 into a CB (cobra 19, Uniden 510/520) and good mag mount antenna (Wilson lil wil), that you can pull off when you're not on the freeway.