Hi,
I'm new to this forum and am about to pick up a used 2006 530xi (btw, very excited). Does anyone know if a portable Sirius unit can be hooked up to the built in system and therefore take advantage of the shark antenna and the sound system? I have a pre-paid lifetime subscription to Sirius that would be compromised if I assign it to a new Sirius unit. Also will want to hook up my iPhone 4 for phoning, contact list, music, voice command, etc... will bluetooth handle all this?

Yes u can use a portable unit. I have one n mine and no problems. I dont know about the fin on top, just have it hardwired n ur cars antenna. Had mine done at best buy.

Heres a picture of my sirius install, I used the direct FM kit and plugged it in behind the in dash cd player. Then I could have the oem ipod control too.

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x...y/IMG_0530.jpg

e60... thanks for the feedback. A few follow up questions. Is the direct FM kit a Sirius item or a BMW item? Does using this mean that I'll be sending the output of the Sirius unit to the car system via an FM transmission or will it be connected via direct line in to the car system? Also, what do you mean you have the OEM iPod control too... does that mean the FM kit can accomodate my iPhone as well? (BTW, were you able to install the Sirius unit without screws? My concern is I have wood trim and I don't want to puncture that... I'm thinking utilizing the ash tray area in front of the gear shifter as a dedicated space for the Sirius unit.)

the direct fm is a sirius item. What it does is broadcast via Fm but it plugs right into the antenna port. You need to get antenna adapters both ways from best buy, its much more clear doing the direct feed. I have the OEM ipod adapter in my glove box so it will charge my ipod and display the songs on the screen, the Fm kit will not work with your phone only sirius. I just used some 3m double sided tape, its been on for over a year and still hasn't budged.

e60... you've been great. I checked the Sirius webpage and found some additional information re: the direct FM kit. How do you get the satellite signal? Are you using the car's sharkfin antenna or the (Sirius) magnetic antenna disk and then fish the wire through the car? Also, I was wondering if they make iPod car adapters that include an aux audio input... do you know?

Yes, over the past few years I've been using Dension GW500, give iPod hookup + USB port + RCA aux input and controlled via iDrive.
Enable coding programming is required so the iDrive can recognize it & not an OEM product so install can be a challenge especially by clueless dealer.

GL!

I used the magnetic antenna and ran it through the car and placed it on the top of the trunk lid. Donno about the ipod car adapters.