Hello,
Today I installed a BlendMount and a MirrorTap in my M235i and I wanted to share my experience and do a small DIY with pictures from the information I have gathered through the threads on here, the instructions that came with the items as well as trial and error.
I have an Escort Passport MAX which I had, until now, mounted with the standard suction cup mount and the standard cable. Here are some photos before starting:
Mirror Tap Info:
The mirror tap is pretty clever and basically allows you to hardwire the radar to the power that goes to the mirror without having to run wire all over the place. This was the harder portion of the instal, but only because of the lack of a clear DIY, hopefully this will help mitigate that for anyone else who needs.
Name: MT-4000 Series - .080" X .525" Long Tap
SKU: MT-4012
Link:
http://www.mirrortap.com/mt4000.html#Standard
This can also be found on the site by selecting BMW and selecting in the auto dimming column for the 2 series. This is what you'll want to get.
Blend Mount Info:
The blend mount is also a cool bit of kit which basically allows you to mount your radar directly under the rearview mirror, mounted on the stem that holds the mirror. You have to select which type of radar as well as which type of mount you will need.
For me I had to select the proper mounting system for the 2 series as well as for the Escort Passport MAX. For me the proper information for the mount I got can be found below:
Name: BlendMount Radar Detector Mount for Escort Passport Max, European, BMX-2117
SKU:BMX-2117
Link:
http://store.blendmount.com/blendmou...117-p1928.aspx
This can also be found on the site by selecting select your vehicle in the top bar, selecting BMW, click on 2 series. The correct one for our cars is BLENDMOUNT ID#-BMW-006. Under this there is a drop down where you choose your type of radar, between Valentine V1, Escort Passport MAX or other Escort detectors. In that same drop down you will also find the matching mirror tap.
Packaging:
Package arrived in a few short days and although expensive you can immediately tell your paying for quality items.
Steps:
1) Remove the cover of the part of the mirror that is attached to the windshield. To do this you will see that its split right in half. Use some kind of credit card starting from the windshield. Use the card to split this open. You may have to wiggle the 2 sides, for me one side really didn't want to come off but with some wiggling a fiddling eventually it comes apart and can be taken off.
2) You will now see many wires and such exposed like in this photo:
3) There are 2 connectors with wires coming out of them right by the stem of the mirror. You are looking for the larger which is also the lower one. Squeeze the sides and pull up to remove the plug. If you just tug at it straight up and back like opposite to the direction that its going into you can actually pull it out a but before unplugging it which makes it easier to unplug, just make sure that when your finished you push it back into where it goes.
4) Now you take the mirror tap wire, which has a red and black plug and plug it into where the wires feed into the plug. In this case the red plugs into the same port as the brown and green wire while the black (ground) plugs into the black and brown wire port. When plugging those in make sure you get as close to the wire that they share the socket with as possible. You'll feel it grab, make sure they go all the way in.
5) The manufacture instructions recommend that you zip tie the cable to some cables in there to keep if from getting pulled out but I didn't do this because I did not have scissors to cut the zip ties with me. I don't think its necessary but will help if you anticipate the cable being pulled, which hopefully won't be the case.
AS A SIDE NOTE I RECOMMEND THAT YOU TEST THAT THE CONNECTION WORKS BY CONNECTING YOUR RADAR AND TURNING ON THE CAR TO VERIFY YOU HAVE A GOOD CONNECTION. IF IT DOES NOT WORK TRY PUSHING THE CABLES IN DEEPER. ONCE EVERYTHING IS WORKING, GO AHEAD AND UNPLUG YOUR RADAR AND GO ON.
6) Feed the cable out the right side of where the housing will be when you replace it. When replacing the cover you will simply line it up with the mirror stem on either side and then line up the pieces and join them. This might take some fiddling but its not too bad. Also be sure that the wire which should come out of the right side won't interfere with any of the clips or anything in the cover.
7) The mirror tap is officially done. Now on to the blend mount.
8) First step is to loosen the part of the mount that holds the actual stem by loosening the bolt in the middle on the bottom of the mount quite a bit, you use the included tool for this.
9) You put it on the stem and push it as far forward as you can. Now using the tool tighten the screw almost all the way. Put your radar on the mount and make sure you like it up to face the right direction, we will take care of the angle of the radar next, just get it facing the right direction first.
10) Once this is correctly oriented finish tightening the screw that you tightened earlier until it is well secured but don't over tighten either.
11) Now we will loosen the screw on the right side of the mount and adjust our angle. Once this is done you tighten it back up.
12) Now take the wire that should be sticking out of the side of the mirror housing thing against the windshield and tuck it down so it sticks out towards the bottom so it looks a little cleaner an conceals more of the wire and then plug it into your radar.
13) Your now done! Here are some more pictures of the job done. Please feel free to message me with questions and concerns.
