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      06-14-2014, 05:29 PM   #1
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DIY: MirrorTap & BlendMount

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.



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      06-14-2014, 05:49 PM   #2
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Nice write-up !
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      06-15-2014, 01:24 PM   #3
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thanks, was looking for a post like this just the other day.
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      06-16-2014, 09:12 PM   #4
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thanks for the DIY, luckly i live by you, if i have any problems, ill let you know
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      06-17-2014, 12:43 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by h0pe
thanks for the DIY, luckly i live by you, if i have any problems, ill let you know
Sure thing let me know.
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      06-26-2014, 09:58 AM   #6
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Anyone in the Philly area that has questions I'd be happy to help. It's really more intimidating to tap the mirror than it should be. Super simple in fact and with a good writeup like this one definitely doable.
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      07-01-2014, 07:55 PM   #7
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I had a 8" invisicord so I have to come out where the stalk is and it's like no room leaving one clip undone but the rest are snapped - guess that'll do. Is an inline fuse REALLY necessary?

Thanks for the guide - ordered a blendmount just in case the summer heat / winter cold makes the suction cup give up (which happens a few times a year).

Works great!
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      07-01-2014, 08:03 PM   #8
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Perfect - thanks! Will likely save me a bit of time. The first mod I do to every car I get (except for my wife's). I live just down the road from Escort Radar as well ;-)
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      07-01-2014, 10:34 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by epic View Post
I had a 8" invisicord so I have to come out where the stalk is and it's like no room leaving one clip undone but the rest are snapped - guess that'll do. Is an inline fuse REALLY necessary?

Thanks for the guide - ordered a blendmount just in case the summer heat / winter cold makes the suction cup give up (which happens a few times a year).

Works great!
To be honest I'm not sure about the inline fuse situation, and with an 8" cord that might be a little tight to get it all the way down to the radar. But that being said what I used was the MirrorTap so thats what I'm familiar with.

And as far as the blend mount I love it only issue is my radar has GPS and it interferes with that signal sometimes, but its not the end of the world.
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      07-06-2014, 06:58 PM   #10
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Great write up! I love all the professional grade DIY's on this site, very nice. I don't use a radar detector but wouldn't be opposed to it. How do you like the Passport MAX?
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      07-06-2014, 07:07 PM   #11
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Great write up. And nice install. I can't figure out another place to custom install the mute button for my escort. I did this in my 135i Radar DIY but there was a perfect spot for it. The m235i can't find how to get into the dash and where i could run wiring down to the center console.
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      07-06-2014, 11:35 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bman6074 View Post
Great write up. And nice install. I can't figure out another place to custom install the mute button for my escort. I did this in my 135i Radar DIY but there was a perfect spot for it. The m235i can't find how to get into the dash and where i could run wiring down to the center console.
I was worried about this too but i ended up just muting it from the radar itself. Not as easy to reach but its there.
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      07-07-2014, 05:46 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by abirmaher View Post
I was worried about this too but i ended up just muting it from the radar itself. Not as easy to reach but its there.
Yea true. I have thought about that. The mute button in console was so great. I didn't even have to look for it I just new where it was by feel. If i can just find someone who has pulled the dash apart or find the repair manual that shows how to disassemble the dash i will do another custom mute button. Car being so new not a lot out there yet.

But i may just to the mirror tap for the time being so i don't have the cable strung around to the cigarette lighter.
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      07-07-2014, 08:36 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bman6074
Quote:
Originally Posted by abirmaher View Post
I was worried about this too but i ended up just muting it from the radar itself. Not as easy to reach but its there.
Yea true. I have thought about that. The mute button in console was so great. I didn't even have to look for it I just new where it was by feel. If i can just find someone who has pulled the dash apart or find the repair manual that shows how to disassemble the dash i will do another custom mute button. Car being so new not a lot out there yet.

But i may just to the mirror tap for the time being so i don't have the cable strung around to the cigarette lighter.
Check the iPhone DIY I posted, I pulled the center vent assembly it's super easy and provides more than enough access to do what you're trying to do, at least as far as I can tell.
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      07-07-2014, 11:27 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BEM-S4 View Post
Check the iPhone DIY I posted, I pulled the center vent assembly it's super easy and provides more than enough access to do what you're trying to do, at least as far as I can tell.
can you link me to your DIY. I tried searching but unable to find it.
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      07-07-2014, 12:28 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bman6074
Quote:
Originally Posted by BEM-S4 View Post
Check the iPhone DIY I posted, I pulled the center vent assembly it's super easy and provides more than enough access to do what you're trying to do, at least as far as I can tell.
can you link me to your DIY. I tried searching but unable to find it.
Can't link for some reason look at the Pro Clip mount on the DIY master list.
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      08-01-2014, 03:48 PM   #17
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Thanks for posting this! Made it really easy to quickly wire the detector.

However, need to rethink the mounting location due to the HBA camera which makes mounting directly underneath the mirror impossible. Slightly offset to the right next to the HBA camera with the radar tucked under the mirror should work but need to decide whether to use a permanent mount or the new StickyCup...
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      08-01-2014, 04:05 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by asm777
Thanks for posting this! Made it really easy to quickly wire the detector.

However, need to rethink the mounting location due to the HBA camera which makes mounting directly underneath the mirror impossible. Slightly offset to the right next to the HBA camera with the radar tucked under the mirror should work but need to decide whether to use a permanent mount or the new StickyCup...
I'm happy with the current location but I see what you mean. To each their own I guess.
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      08-01-2014, 04:31 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by asm777
Thanks for posting this! Made it really easy to quickly wire the detector.

However, need to rethink the mounting location due to the HBA camera which makes mounting directly underneath the mirror impossible. Slightly offset to the right next to the HBA camera with the radar tucked under the mirror should work but need to decide whether to use a permanent mount or the new StickyCup...
I'm super happy with the eBay adhesive mount one. Cheap and very high quality.
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      08-01-2014, 05:16 PM   #20
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I tried this setup but just didn't like it hanging from the mirror. I chose to keep it on the window. Little drilling and lots of dismantling.

Check out the install Radar install
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      08-01-2014, 05:19 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by abirmaher View Post
I'm happy with the current location but I see what you mean. To each their own I guess.
I like your current location and wanted to do the same... I meant that with the HBA camera on my car, it's physically not possible to mount the radar in the same place. So I'll have to mount it off center... probably on the right side is what I'm thinking now but haven't made up my mind yet.

Quote:
Originally Posted by BEM-S4 View Post
I'm super happy with the eBay adhesive mount one. Cheap and very high quality.
+1 - Have probably used half a dozen of these over the last few years. =)
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      08-01-2014, 05:56 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by asm777 View Post
I like your current location and wanted to do the same... I meant that with the HBA camera on my car, it's physically not possible to mount the radar in the same place. So I'll have to mount it off center... probably on the right side is what I'm thinking now but haven't made up my mind yet.



+1 - Have probably used half a dozen of these over the last few years. =)
We don't have the HBA option in the US so this isn't an issue here.
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