BlackBear

I want to wire an XM radio into the radio antenna wire.

Who has instructions for radio unit removal?

There is a general antenna, I think, between the windshield and rear view mirror. It is covered by black plastic. Is this the antenna used for radio reception?

My car is NAV equipped and a this (XM radio wired into the radio antenna) seems like the least tricky way to get satelite radio.

I have an XM radio in my other car. Cost me $150, took 1h to install. Hooks right into the radio antenna cable and you tune to a radio station.

The sound quality is great. I think this certainly beats waiting and/or paying $500.

Once you have an XM radio you can trash your CDs - I have not even touched the CD button in my other car since I got XM radio

Hope you can help.

Oliver

zippers525

Its much more complacted on the five series. You have to take the dash apart and get behind the radio unit. Once you do that BMW does not use the standard antenna plug. You will have to buy or make connector or splice into the wires very well. A normal antenna passthrough requires alot of work. The antenna plug goes directly into the radio. Its at the back right side of the radio away from the fiber optics. If you need info on taking the dash apart you can find so TIs info on this site somewhere.

Rudy

I think the key issue is the proprietary antenna connector. One thing that's clear is that you don't need to do anything behind the dash. The radio equipment isn't located there anyway.

You can gain access to the antenna connectors in the trunk but since the connectors aren't compatible with the XM connectors, you're SOL...

BlackBear

Where in the trunk do I find the radio antenna connection or radio unit?

Thanks,
Oliver

Rudy

A quick search of the forum using "antenna" as a key word brought up a thread very similar to this one.

In that thread, I posted these instructions that should help answer your question...

Good luck!

amigo525

I am sure blackbear will modify his avantar..too explicit?