Just joined and a quick intro. Am taking delivery of an '05 M3Cic 6MT tomorrow. Also have a '97 Z3 2.8 (which I might sell). Looking forward to the forums
Welcome to the club & the forums! Check out your local chapter for monthly meetings and events too, & congrats on the new car!
Welcome to the asylum! I see you've already met a couple of the inmates. . . . They're pretty friendly. . . as long as they take their meds!
Thanks all Picked her up today. Great car and drive! 2 quick thoughts. On the radar front, Valentine vs. Passport (if recommended at all) and what bout a Colgan nose mask on front?
I fall squarely into the V1 camp, since '93. http://www.bmwcca.org/forum/showthread.php?t=3857&p=16017 An additional caveat - any electronics (or almost anything, really) left in view in your car are an _invitation_ for a break-in. GPS's, ipods, your cell phone, radar detectors, laptops, digital cameras, memory sticks, cd's, small change (even one penny), keys, whatever - get in the habit, if you aren't already, of securing things 100% out of view, and potential thieves will have as few reasons as possible to think breaking into your shiny new car will be worthwhile. Windshield suction cups leave marks - a dead giveaway; if you stick something to the windshield, clean the marks off afterward. Might want to doublecheck with more than just your dealer or salesperson, but I'd think it's possible you may not want to put anything like a bra on the car for 3 months or more, to ensure the paint is fully cured. Might not apply to the paints used now by BMW, but I don't know for sure, curing might still be an issue.
Welcome to the club and I hope you are enjoying your ride. I'm with Mr. Garrison. I loved the arrows on my V1 until it was stolen. Since that point, I have adopted the philosophy of leaving my BMWs unlocked with nothing of value inside when possible. That way there will be no damage from over-anxious thieves. When traveling/shopping, I certainly do take more precautions.
I'm a new member as well, welcome How do you plan to sell your existing BMW? I'm selliing a 1995 325i to take delivery on a 328icv, but I don't like the trade in value.
I have used a passport since I put one in my 1985 635 . I now have a redline in my 2009 M6 and a 8500 X50 in my 2008 X3 . I prefer to have the greatest amount of warning that to have an arrow show me where the signal is from . On my last 7 cars I have used a clear type bra ( 3M ) and have been satisfied with them .
Your statement implies that the V1 sacrifices performance for its direction-finding capabilities, which is simply not the case. My point is not to start a debate over which may arguably be 'better', as partisans will argue all day long in favor of their preference; people obviously will choose different detectors for different reasons, for whatever they feel is best for them. I can't imagine anyone not wanting the most detection range to allow the earliest warning of a potential speed trap or LEO-clocking. This is the most recent test I can find from folks that appear to put their best foot forward to exercise proper testing methodology - http://www.guysoflidar.com/radar-detector-test-august-2009/radar-detector-test.html , however this test apparently pre-dates the availability of the Redline. This place apparently tries to be as objective as possible, and tests every year, but I'm not clear on whether or not testing is one-detector-at-a-time, although it presumably should be, as the testers are apparently long-time industry folks. Manufacturers are invited to participate, & 'pay-to-play', as it were, but the testers don't seem to specify where or how they source the detectors they obtain for testing. To keep a manufacturer from the temptation of sending hyped-up detectors or prototypes, the units ideally should be purchased blind, directly from the manufacturers or their approved sales outlets or dealers. I would hope so, but I didn't find a specific discussion. Click the "Radar Reception/Pop/Specs And Prices" pic, and scroll to the bottom for some text summary of tested units, otherwise compare the results yourself. http://www.speedzones.com/Site_6/opening_page_sz_2011.html
Radar I've been using the escort because it's cordless and the onlymdecent one that is. I will say however that I have been pulled over just based on the fact that I HAD a radar detector and not because I was speeding. In that respect, whatever you do I would consider having one hardwired into the car so as not to leave any visible trace of owning one. Welcome to the party.
The Escort Solo sacrifices a substantial amount of range, comparatively, for the convenience of running off double-A's. To each their own, of course. http://www.guysoflidar.com/august-2007/radar-detector-test.html http://www.valentineone.com/v1info/CordlessRadarDetectors.asp
Escort and Valentine We have been a two-Valentine family for years. They have paid for themselves over and over again! I had an Escort Passport and gave it to my brother. The Valentine is hardwired to something in the rear-view-mirror housing, so it's pretty inconspicuous. The one in the roadster sits low, just above the dash, with a pretty obvious cord. . . I have GOT to get around to figuring out how to hardwire it similar to the one in the 335i. . . .
Welcome! I guess I'm in the Passport minority; my passport has paid for itself multiple times. It only has to save your bacon ONE TIME to pay for itself. Don't ask me how I know this. I do always put it away when the car is parked. I have certainly never been pulled over just for HAVING a radar detector; legal in my state and almost all others. ANY detector is better than none! I haven't been pulled over for no front plate or illegal window tint either; I'm willing to take the risk. I also have a 3M clear bra; used to have a Colgan bra which worked great but somewhat more of a pain when you wash the car and also looks fairly ugly. Does protect against stone chips however.
