sg530

DaveR; Tying into the antenna before the tuner is just a better way to inject an audio signal to a radio than using a tranmitter. There would be no fiber optic at that connection point since the antenna can only be copper wire into the tuner. The quality of the modulator determines how good things sound. The radio quality is also important. It is never as good as tapping into the preamp to amp connection but that would cut off car warning sounds. These good connections are not likely accesible to us but the antenna is. The weakness is that you use a fm preset dedicated to your modulator. The strength is that it allows you to add satellite, mp3, computer or a tape deck audio.

Rudy

I remember reading somewhere that the antenna connector that BMW uses is proprietary so it's difficult to insert the signal into the antenna directly until an adapter or something is manufactured.

sg530

Certainly would be good to know where all antenna connectors are situated. The path for the wires would help find a place to splice in if the connector is in too small a place for the modulator. This would help to hide the mods from technitian's eyes who tend to blame one simple mod on any electrical problem. Rudy?

JOHN

i have a terk xm commander fitted into my factory storage pocket (no nav) it fits percfectly and looks pretty unobtrusive, the antenna is about the size of a matchbook i have mine installed just above the front windshield at the edge of the rubber in this way it is almost completely unnoticeable cosmetically.

PeterT

You guys are lucky to even have the option! No sat radio here in UK. I find I'm listening more and more to radio (especially as I can't yet play my MP3 discs) so a wider choice with themes, that I didn't have to retune as I drive between regions or in Europe, would be great.

Rudy

Okay, there are a few antenna related things I was able to find. Two of them required removing the rear seat, etc. to be able to remove the rear parcel shelf. The instructions were quite involved. In my opinion, the easiest method to gain access to an antenna connector (assuming there is a connector present on this module) is to follow the instructions for "Removing the antenna amplifier (diversity)." I think this amplifier is only present if your car has the diversity antenna system (the sharkfin antenna and the rear window antenna 'defroster type').

Here is the overall instructions for this task:

(additional required tasks/notes follow this post)

Rudy

Airbag Warning!

Rudy

Remove headrest:

Rudy

Remove roof pillar (C-pillar) trim:

auburn5x3

can anyone confirm that it is possible to have Sirius SAT installed on a vehicle that was built without SAT prep? My service advisor does not believe it is possible to add the pre-wire after the fact, though I find that hard to believe.

I have NAV, and my last conversation with BMWNA indicated that the compatibility issue should be solved by fall.