Thanks Don Juan! Your DIY was very helpful indeed. I just finished hard-wiring my Escort/Passport 8500 X50 in my 2004 545i. The green/yellow wire worked for me. As far ground goes, there's actually a screw to the sunroof motor that's grounded. It's a lot easier to work with than the bolt. I'll post pics later tonight.

It was so easy that it inspired me to hard-wire my wife's 2007 A4 Avant Quattro as well. The problem was tapping to the right wire. I ended up using a the black/red wire to the sunroof motor. The red wire (of the black and red wires to the sunroof) control works as well. I grounded directly to the body frame via the overhead panel mount screws. Will post pics tonight.

 

The instructions provided were excellent and worked like a champ on my '08 535.

FYI, the green/yellow wire described actually feeds the electrochromic mirror, not the rain sensor. I got a copy of the wiring diagram before I started. I just wanted to be sure I was doing the right thing. Both sets of wires are in the same bundle, so it's a fine point to be sure, but there you go.

 

Be carefully tapping the wire to the sunroof motor unless you have an inline fuse. The fusing for the motor will be too large to protect the small power feed to the radar det.

 

Aah... good tip. Luckily the hard-wire kit has an in-line fuse. Initially I tapped the sunroof control vs. the motor, but didn't get any power. Turns out my first ground connection wasn't good. Btw, this is for my wife's Avant.

 

Hey!! I just hardwired my Escort last night, so for anyone who wanted to know if the instructions were the same for the 2008 models, they are (I have an 08 528i) ... I'd like to thank everyone who took their time out of the day to take pictures and explain the process step-by-step!!! They were so helpful, I had absolutely no questions or concerns when I was installing the kit. I posted a picture to show my set up, and to feel like a part of the discussion lol; the Escort sits directly below the line of tint at the top of the windshield. Again, I'd like to thank everyone who contributed to this topic!! I would not of attempted this on my own, especially with a highly technological BMW...

Oh and please excuse the dirty rear view mirror... It didn't seem that dirty in person, it was only after I took the picture I noticed all of it... Its clean now though

 

Where's the best deal for a V-1?

 

V1 themselves. i called them up using their 1800 number. Ask for a returned item. it should be 375 shipped as opposed to 400+ new. The returned item has the updated software with POP and comes with warranty.

 

I booked mine 2 days ago for the same price of 375 shipped. I am on a waiting list but don't mind it at all. Thanks for the tip Alpinewhite....

 

np.
its worth the wait

 

Thanks for the tip mine was #69 fuse.