Here are some pictures and observations from my ALP AntiLaser Priority install. My car wasn't exactly clean when I took the pictures, so pardon the dust that's visible in the closeups. I tried providing as much detail as I could without having to disassemble my car too much, but please feel free to reach out if you have any specific questions.
Sensor positioning:
I installed a 3-sensor (front-only) system, including two regular heads and a TX sensor. Use of a TX sensor allows the regular sensors to be mounted vertically, which means they can be attached to the kidney grilles. I first tried installing the sensors by removing the grilles, but found that it's impossible to align them properly that way. It wasn't easy, but I was able to slide enough of my hand in between the fins to properly install the sensors. Running the wires from behind the grilles into the engine compartment is easy; there's plenty of give in the rubber gaskets behind the grilles and space around the headlights.
View from front (left/driver side sensor is just below the ///M3 logo):
[IMG]
https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/pi...ictureid=68510[/IMG]
[IMG]
https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/pi...ictureid=68511[/IMG]
[IMG]
https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/pi...ictureid=68507[/IMG]
[IMG]
https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/pi...ictureid=68508[/IMG]
[IMG]
https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/pi...ictureid=68509[/IMG]
Right Sensor:
I bent the ALP mounting bracket and used 3M mounting tape to essentially wrap it around and attach it to one of the grille fins (i.e. the bracket is mounted on the back side of the fin facing the sensor; the fins have a ridge that perfectly hides the bracket). After positioning the sensor properly, I used black Milliput epoxy putty to create a permanent wedge between the sensor bracket and grille fin, keeping it from moving (I used duct tape while the epoxy was curing); that's the greyish/black wedge you can see to the right of the sensor):
[IMG]
https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/pi...ictureid=68504[/IMG]
[IMG]
https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/pi...ictureid=68505[/IMG]
TX Sensor:
The TX sensor can be mounted at the top of the grille, between two fins, using the provided bracket. I simply bent it over, cut the excess, and mounted it using 3M tape. I ran the sensor wire behind the rubber gasket that sits behind the grille, from the top to the right/passenger side.
[IMG]
https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/pi...ictureid=68506[/IMG]
Left Sensor:
I mounted the left/driver side sensor similar to the right/passenger side sensor. To fit the sensor below the ///M3 logo, I removed the grille and used a Dremel bit to remove material from the bottom of the logo. Since it's at the bottom, this is not visible once the sensor is mounted.
[IMG]
https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/pi...ictureid=68502[/IMG]
[IMG]
https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/pi...ictureid=68501[/IMG]
Wire run:
I ran the wires to the right/passenger side, along the inside edge of the engine compartment (I blurred out my VIN with a blue marker).
[IMG]
https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/pi...ictureid=68513[/IMG]
Firewall access:
As I mentioned earlier, getting access to the grommets in the firewall is difficult. I used the passenger side, as I wanted to mount the ALP control unit behind the passenger side kick panel where the FEM ECU is housed.
The first hurdle to cross is removal of the passenger side wiper drip tray, which I've circled in yellow in the first picture. I found it can be wriggled out (with some force), after loosening the plastic wiper cowl cover and detaching the fuse box from the frame. The tray is attached to the frame with two bolts. See ISTA for fairly detailed instructions; follow the steps for wiper arm removal (if you have tools for wiper arm removal that would likely give you more space to work with).
[IMG]
https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/pi...ictureid=68503[/IMG]
After removing the drip tray and pushing the fuse box aside, you should be able to see three grommets in the firewall. There's the large one that is being used for the BMW wire loom, with two smaller ones above it. The one closer to the driver side is slightly larger than the other one, and provides enough room for the three ALP sensor wires. I removed that grommet, cut a hole in it, and ran the sensor wires through, one at a time. The sensor wires are more clearly visible in the second picture.
[IMG]
https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/pi...ictureid=68500[/IMG]
[IMG]
https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/pi...ictureid=68495[/IMG]
I then used wire from a white coat hanger to poke through the firewall from inside the engine compartment into the passenger footwell. After a few tries I could see the wire come through the firewall behind the glove box (it'll be way up; you may need to lie on your back in the passenger footwell to be able to see it). I then pulled a strong string through the firewall and used that to pull each of the sensor wires into the passenger footwell. After removing the wire slack in the engine compartment I reinstalled the grommet using a long screw driver wrapped in duct tape (to make it sticky enough to hold the grommet). I did not have enough space to be able to use my hands.
A bit hard to see, but this is where the wires enter the passenger compartment, behind the glove box:
[IMG]
https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/pi...ictureid=68515[/IMG]
Control unit install:
I installed the control unit just above the FEM ECU. To get access to that space, remove the passenger side door sill and kick panel (after removing the passenger side bottom dash cover). Both simply pull out.
[IMG]
https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/pi...ictureid=68493[/IMG]
[IMG]
https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/pi...ictureid=68492[/IMG]
[IMG]
https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/pi...ictureid=68491[/IMG]
I mounted the ALP control unit upside down above the FEM ECU and ran the USB cable into my glove box (for firmware updates):
[IMG]
https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/pi...ictureid=68490[/IMG]
GPS Antenna and Wire Slack:
I mounted my GPS antenna above the passenger side vent. I simply removed some of the door trim and the triangular cover on the side of the dash, and found enough space to store the sensor wire slack. It is also right above the area where I installed the ALP control unit, so convenient.
[IMG]
https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/pi...ictureid=68483[/IMG]
[IMG]
https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/pi...ictureid=68516[/IMG]
HiFi Speaker:
I mounted the speaker behind the switches for Lane Departure, etc., using 3M tape. The easiest way to get access to that is to first remove the driver side vent trim (simply pull) and then push the switch panel out from the inside, starting at the top.
[IMG]
https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/pi...ictureid=68481[/IMG]
[IMG]
https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/pi...ictureid=68480[/IMG]
[IMG]
https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/pi...ictureid=68479[/IMG]
[IMG]
https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/pi...ictureid=68478[/IMG]
ALP Control Set:
I wanted my control set to be hidden, yet easily accessible, so installed it in the cigarette lighter tray in the center console. To get access I removed the center trim cover pieces, switches and cup holders (see ISTA for instructions). I used a Dremel to enlarge one of the existing holes in the cigarette lighter tray. Running wires to and from this location is pretty easy and there's no need to disassemble much of the dash; simply removing some trim pieces is enough.
[IMG]
https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/pi...ictureid=68477[/IMG]
[IMG]
https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/pi...ictureid=68476[/IMG]