First get the radar detector, for this install we'll use and Escort 8500, with the S7 radar antenna.
First remove the plastic dash piece behind the steering wheel/ tachometer. Remove the rubber seal, so it doesn't get damaged during the install process and there's more room to work. In the process of removing this piece also take the parcel shelf out, for easy of working space.
Then mark and drill holes, two for the LEDs and one for the mute button.
Then use a dremel type tool remove some of the supporting plastic off the rear of the panel so there's room for the smart cord box.....
Instead of springing the additional $30 for another smart cord, we'll be using the supplied smart cord from the package, so while your dremel is still out, hack off the end of the "plug" so everything will fit when it get's put into the MINI.
Remove the coiled cord from it's home hole, and twist it so it can easily re-route out the rear of the box.
Remove the plug components, and attach extension wires, approximately 3ft in length. Then attach the red wire to an add-a-fuse, and I attached the negative (green) to a loop, that slips neatly under a bolt for a secure ground.
Then glue your "box" to the back side of the dash piece
While that sets, let's go out to the MINI and run the wire and place the detector.
While we're waiting for the "visor clip" to be shipped, the Escort is suction cup mounted. Start running the flat phone cord here, we used a gray phone cord that closely matches the headliner color, start at the radar detector, and it's good to leave a few extra inches of cord tucked into the visor right above it, then work across the left of the roof line.
Then after crossing the roof, down the A-pillar, next to the glass, there is ample room to tuck the cord away, entirely out of sight.
If you look closely here, you'll see all we'll be able to see of the power cable, tucked underneath the Garmin power cord.
Remove the side cover to the dash, slip the remaining cord under the dash and replace the cover, at the top there's a notch where the cord with safely fit.
Now that the glue has dried, we'll bring that out to the MINI and get all the wires in place.
Use a phone cord coupler to attach the coiled cord of the smart cord to the gray cord we just installed.
There is ample room to tuck this on the left side of the dash support beam on the left of the photo, this will keep it safely out of the way of being pinched upon re-installing the parcel shelf.
Attach your ground....and your add a fuse.....
Be sure to choose a fuse that is "switched" so as not to drain your MINI's battery. The one being used for this install only becomes active when the key is in the "run" position. Test your electronics, replace the rubber steering colum seal to the dash piece, and return the dash piece and parcel shelf to their original places.
Now enjoy your install and drive safe. Here's the photos of how this one turned out in the end.
Running....
Alerting....
Exterior...
As always, morality of using a radar detector, how you drive, and how you install, and what your state's laws are regarding use are your responsibilty, and your liability; not mine, this is merely how I installed the detector on this particular vehicle.
