2018 F80 M3 making laser detector go off during startup and also randomly other times

[2018M3DC]

I just purchased a 2018 M3 and equipped it with an escort max 360 radar detector. The car is fully loaded with all the nanny stuff. My understanding is that Blind Spot Monitoring is Radar and not Laser.

Does anyone have problems with laser alerts going off within 10-15 seconds of turning on the detector? This is my main error. Also, I get sporadic laser alerts while driving even when there are no other cars in sight.

I've tried different positions, different power sources and a different car. The other car did not cause these alerts so it appears to be something specific to the BMW. There must be something emitting laser - i just would like to know what it is....

Escort has not been able to help and I live in Maryland where only laser is used. Escort says to disable laser but then what would be the point in having a detector when all I encounter is laser.

Thanks in advance for any help anyone can provide.

[FotiosF90M5]

I believe it is radar. On my valentine one I deleted X band and K band. Now when my detector goes off I know it is police. Ether Ka band or Laser is what is used. At least here in MA. This solved all of my issues with it going off for no reason. Hope this helps.

[2018M3DC]

Thanks for your reply. Yes I believe BSM is Radar. But the problem I am having is that Laser alerts are happening for no reason at all. I'm trying to figure out what is emitting the laser... any idea? Thanks again!

[FotiosF90M5]

There is nothing on the car that will set off the laser, all I can think of really is a bad sensor on the unit? Not sure but I can assure you there is no laser being used. I hope you can get it squared away, I know it's annoying.

[2018M3DC]

I have tried two different 360 Max radar detectors and an Escort IX. All three exhibit the same false laser alarms. This really leads me to believe there is something in the car setting this off. Maybe there isn't a laser emitting device in the car, but something is in the car with a close enough spectrum/frequency that the detector thinks it is a laser hit. Any one else have any thoughts on what this could be? Anyone else having the same issue? Thanks

[Ferg]

Have a Max360 and have not experienced the issue you are having. Have the same nannies that you have mentioned. I have a tinted windshield (not for darkness but UV protection), not sure if that is the difference.

[lemetier]

Originally Posted by 2018M3DC

I have tried two different 360 Max radar detectors and an Escort IX. All three exhibit the same false laser alarms. This really leads me to believe there is something in the car setting this off. Maybe there isn't a laser emitting device in the car, but something is in the car with a close enough spectrum/frequency that the detector thinks it is a laser hit. Any one else have any thoughts on what this could be? Anyone else having the same issue? Thanks

The Touchscreen has Time Of Flight LIDAR arrays imbedded on each side which can set it off.

[2018M3DC]

Originally Posted by Ferg

Have a Max360 and have not experienced the issue you are having. Have the same nannies that you have mentioned. I have a tinted windshield (not for darkness but UV protection), not sure if that is the difference.

What year is your car? Thanks

[Daddeo]

I too have a 2018 M3 and a Max 360 with a mirror tap and blend mount. I am also getting TONS of false Laser alerts. I was going to reach out to Escort today to get their thoughts. My wife has a Max 360 in her M235i and it doesn't give the laser false alerts. That's why I bought one for my car because I was so pleased with the Max 360 performance.

I don't have the lane departure or blind spot on my car and I am getting the false laser. Two nights ago it went off for 3 minutes straight - even into my garage. LED's? I don't know.

[Daddeo]

I'm going to swap the detectors in my cars and see if the false laser alerts carry over. I'll let you know the results. If they do carry over then it might be a bad batch of detectors from Escort.

I called Escort and they said to re-update the firmware. If that doesn't fix it they said to send it back.

I'll do the swap first.

[2018M3DC]

I don't think it is the LED headlights. I found an article online that stated in 2017/18 BMW Active Assist was going to be modified to start using 4 lasers in addition to the existing radar. I think this may be the issue.

BTW: I have the exact same symptoms you are having, even in the garage and yes for 3+ minutes at a time. Drives me crazy! I tried a friends Escort IV and had the same issue, all though a little bit less, but still enough to make laser detection unusable.

My next steps are to find out where these 4 emitters are and see if I temporarily cover them with painters tape, if that eliminates the false laser alerts. If it does, then damn we have a problem! Maybe pulling a fuse will help or I wonder if there is a way to code the Active Assist off. I believe that is where BMW is called if it detects you are in an accident. Any ideas?

I didn't have as much luck with Escort customer service. The first person I spoke with said I should just turn off Laser Detection. The problem is where I live, it is mostly Laser that is used. Someone else at Escort suggested getting an installed laser jammer /radar detector (360ci) may solve the issue. The problem is those are expensive plus the installation cost and while I don't mind spending the money, I would hate to spend the money to end up having the same problem.

Let me know what your testing shows.

[2018M3DC]

Here is a link to the article I mentioned in my last post:

https://secure.bmw.com/com/en/insigh...ist/index.html

Scroll down ½ way and following is stated:

Front, back, left and right – a total of four laser scanners measure the precise distances to other objects and detect size and speed as well as the entire surroundings of the vehicle. The vehicle is then able to form a picture of which areas are accessible and free of obstacles.

[lemetier]

Originally Posted by 2018M3DC

I don't think it is the LED headlights. I found an article online that stated in 2017/18 BMW Active Assist was going to be modified to start using 4 lasers in addition to the existing radar. I think this may be the issue.

BTW: I have the exact same symptoms you are having, even in the garage and yes for 3+ minutes at a time. Drives me crazy! I tried a friends Escort IV and had the same issue, all though a little bit less, but still enough to make laser detection unusable.

My next steps are to find out where these 4 emitters are and see if I temporarily cover them with painters tape, if that eliminates the false laser alerts. If it does, then damn we have a problem! Maybe pulling a fuse will help or I wonder if there is a way to code the Active Assist off. I believe that is where BMW is called if it detects you are in an accident. Any ideas?

I didn't have as much luck with Escort customer service. The first person I spoke with said I should just turn off Laser Detection. The problem is where I live, it is mostly Laser that is used. Someone else at Escort suggested getting an installed laser jammer /radar detector (360ci) may solve the issue. The problem is those are expensive plus the installation cost and while I don't mind spending the money, I would hate to spend the money to end up having the same problem.

Let me know what your testing shows.

Not applicable to F8x. The only LIDAR (laser) is in the idrive touchscreen surround recently implemented.

[2018M3DC]

Originally Posted by lemetier

Not applicable to F8x. The only LIDAR (laser) is in the idrive touchscreen surround recently implemented.

HI - how do you know it is not applicable to the F8x? Why would there be Laser in the touchscreen? Thanks for all your help...

[lemetier]

Originally Posted by 2018M3DC

HI - how do you know it is not applicable to the F8x? Why would there be Laser in the touchscreen? Thanks for all your help...

The 3D flash LIDAR based Driver Assistant (Autonomous Driving Features) is only on the 5er, 7er, and X3 (Gxx).

The touchscreen has predictive point of touch using Time of Flight measurement to reduce unwanted selection issues.

[SanchoDivine]

I had passport radar detectors and after about 6 months of use they randomly go off constantly (more so in colder weather). The x-band liked to go full alert a lot. I went through a couple of those thinking I got a defective units but no, those passports just go to shit. I switched to Beltronics and never had those issues since.

My opinion, Passport = garbage that only cost a lot because they probably pay reviewers to write good reviews to use as their advertising.

[Daddeo]

I updated my detector using Detector Tools. Then last night went driving a set loop for 15 minutes. My laser went off twice. Once for 1 minute and another time for over 2 minutes. I then swapped to my wife's Max 360 and drove the same loop. Not a peep.

Now I will put my detector in my wife's car and see if the false laser carries over. If so, I'll send it back to Escort.

I'll let you know. I'm thinking it is the detector and not the car.

[2018M3DC]

Originally Posted by Daddeo

I updated my detector using Detector Tools. Then last night went driving a set loop for 15 minutes. My laser went off twice. Once for 1 minute and another time for over 2 minutes. I then swapped to my wife's Max 360 and drove the same loop. Not a peep.

Now I will put my detector in my wife's car and see if the false laser carries over. If so, I'll send it back to Escort.

I'll let you know. I'm thinking it is the detector and not the car.

WOW that is awesome! hopefully it is the detector which gives us options. Let me know what further info you find. Thanks

[Daddeo]

Just got back from a 35 mile drive in my car with my wife's Max 360. Her detector gave the same false laser alerts that my detector was doing. At least 10 alerts with the longest lasting 2.5 minutes. Definitely our cars then.

Bummer. After doing some more research, my only option is to turn laser off. Fortunately, laser isn't used very often here.

[2018M3DC]

Dam. Thanks for testing and reporting back. I've put a call into BMW genius and trying to further determine what they say. I'll report back if I find out anything useful. Question - does your M3 have the touchscreen on the idrive screen?

[Daddeo]

Yes for the touch screen. But I don't have the Driver Assist Plus package.

I'm thinking of sending my detector to Escort to see if they can adjust the laser sensitivity. I've heard they can do that. I don't have laser jammers so if I get lazed I'm going to get a ticket.

I have been pleased with the radar portion.

[2018M3DC]

Let me know what if anything escort does. Someone else on this message suggested it could be the touchscreen. I'm going to cover the touchscreen up and see if there is a difference. Not that I can do anything about it if it is the touchscreen. I just want to know exactly what it is.

I too have been enjoying the radar and GPS based alerts although I still find waze more useful then Escort Live. But i need something that I don't have to remember to turn on every time I get into the M3. My problem is that where I live, it is 90% Laser. Probably need to think about Jammers which my old M6 had. They worked well even though they were the old Escort SRX system.