My first post... I purchased a '16 Cooper S in January with the upgraded entertainment (large screen, full bluetooth audio, hands-free, etc.). I did not get the navigation or backup cameras.

Shortly after, I received a letter in the mail from SiriusXM - that included my VIN - pitching me on their service. Based on my VIN, the letter stated that Sirius capability was already installed in my Mini and all I would need to do is activate the service. However, I cannot find any indication within my radio function or in the general user interface of the system that Sirius is installed. In the radio screen, it shows AM and FM, but no Satellite. So - not sure how I'd activate it.

Am I missing something or was the letter incorrect?

Thanks in advance for potentially helping me avoid a dealer visit!

 

By activating Sirius XM, I believe they mean to contact them by phone to do so. Here's some help for you: http://www.siriusxm.com/getstartedno...++xm++activate

Once the service is active, the missing info will magically appear on your screen.

 

I think you have to add it in the software, the system can do it but the essentially hide it until the dealer or someone else gets in the computer and un-hides it. I don't believe it is automatic

 

When I bought my 2015, the car was listed as "satellite radio capable." My dealer then ordered software and enabled SiriusXM as a part of my purchase.

If you don't see Satellite listed as a band on the radio, I don't think the software upgrade has been done yet and you can't activate the radio with SXM.

Hope this helps...

 

I can't imagine your having the XM receiver installed in your car and not being able to see anything that indicates that on your entertainment screen inputs. It it's XM capable the software should be installed and if it's like mine you can even sample the radio without paying (I got it with the car for a year and didn't pay). They want to make it easy for you to sign up and pay the monthly fee. So look around a little more and see if you missed it. My wife's Honda Element came with a 3 month paid subscription in 2010 and they never turned it off!

 

I am surprised it is not activated like on every other new car so they get you 3 free months then they want you to subscribe. I wanted it but I was not going to pay $300 for a year access to stuff I would never listen to if it was $100 for only Music Channels I would have done it. As soon as mine is in I am going to try to get it activated and try to get just the music only through SiriusXM. Here is a thread about adding it.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ng-sirius.html

 

It's very misleading and confusing....

All MINIs have satellite radio prep - the hardware is there, everything is prewired, it's just missing the activation codes from SiriusXM. "Prep" means you can retrofit the code (of which the dealer will be happy to charge ~$400 to get the code and program it) and the radio will receive satellite radio like it came from the factory that way. Of course, because it has an ESN already, SiriusXM starts pitching trial service on a radio they can't activate without the purchased code. Lame.

If you don't listen to satellite radio, no trial for you, but you probably won't miss it. If you do want to add it, I recommend going through a third party like BimmerTech. They can get the codes for MUCH cheaper and they can remote program it into your MINI. Dealer option or BimmerTech include a year of service for free.

If anyone is not sure if they have satellite and have a MINI post 2012(ish), go to your radio and if you see FM, AM AND Satellite. Congrats - you have satellite radio (service separate). If you don't see Satellite, you most likely have satellite radio prep.