user 4639202

It's unfortunate that BMW manufactures proprietary systems/components. There are quite a few SAT receivers out there , however as everyone's aware they won't work with the BMW audio system which it ridiculous, so BMW owners have to pay the extremely high costs if they what SAT radio.

Rudy

I think it's safe to say that most premium car manufacturers who offer integrated satellite radio use proprietary components. I don't think it's very different with M-B, Lexus, Audi, etc. Although I think that some aftermarket units that work with GM and other cars, I don't think it's as well integrated as the ones you find where the hardware was all designed as a complete system.

A few years ago, a friend of mine had a brand new Toyota Avalon that was pre-wired for XM (since it was not something you could get installed by the factory -- you had to have the dealer do it as an add-on.) He took it to the dealer and they put in the Toyota parts that were designed to work with the car and then, much to his surprise, they stuck on a puck antenna on the side of his trunk lid. It looked completely ridiculous! When he complained, they said that was the Toyota specification and they weren't able to do anything for him.

Bottom line...you get what you pay for...