I was shopping for an aftermarket antenna shorter than 4", and was scared off by a few ads that said it would NOT be compatible with R56s with Navigation/Shark Fin antenna base . However, in other ads, it would not indicate whether the antenna was Navigation specific. It just said it would work with ANY R56s.....

Does having the factory Navigation feature require a specific kind of short antenna? in other words, does anyone out there have the factory installed navi AND have replaced their antenna to a much shorter one? i'd love to know which antennas work best for those of us with navi....

thanks in advance!

 

Is the vertical antenna even electrically connected with the shark fin satellite portion of the antenna assembly? I thought the satellite portion (shark fin) was wired to the antenna lead that terminates under the passenger seat. This antenna lead under the passenger seat is the one that some of us have connected to for an after market satellite radio. The vertical one is wired to the antenna lead that goes to the head unit for the AM & FM radio transmissions. I have a "shortie" antenna on my '07 MCS and a XM Radio connected to the shark fin antenna lead. Both satellite and AM/FM radios work great with the combination described. IMHO you can install any length antenna on the AM/FM part and the satellite/navigation antenna will not be affected. Perhaps others can confirm or deny this opinion.

 

This is technically correct. But it is a little more extensive than that.

The AM/FM antenna is comprised of two antenna, one aerial on the roof and one in the driver side window. These go to a diversity antenna amplifier and then onto the radio this help eliminate shift interference.

The shark fin has a SAT antenna in it and also a GPS antenna.

As for the fitting of a stubby antenna the reason you see some that fit and others that do not is because the 1 gen and 2 gen have different thread patterns.

If you see one you like and it does not say which it fits then you will need to call the manufacturer to find out. But most sites that sell these types of items and are "really" MINI accessory sites will have a listing of the models it will fit. There are many sites out there that claim to sell MINI accessories but really have no clue as to what they are selling.

Check Cravenspeed, MiniMania, Outmotoring, and other vendors listed in the vendor directory and you should be able to find something you like.

Just be ware that in outlying areas the shorter antenna will reduce your AM reception. It does not affect the FM much at all.

 

actually, those are the main 3 vendors i was looking at, but Craven's bullet and stubby versions both said (02-07), which means they don't have a 08+ version available?

too bad, i like the bullet version...

I think I will go with the alta 2".....

Thanks for the fast reply!!

 

If you mean this one.

http://www.cravenspeed.com/index.php?productID=90

It looks ot me like they show it on a 2nd gen car.

I would call them as sometimes there web site is not always up to date on the latest they have available.

 

2007 was the first year for the 2nd Generation MINI R56 Coupe, not 2008. So, 02-07 usually means it fits on both 1st and 2nd Gen. I have Craven's MINI Stubby Antenna on my R56 MCS.

 

I have the cravenspeed stubby antenna on my 2010 MCS but it has no navi. I don't know if it works with navi. You could always give them a call and ask

 

I think you will find that if you unscrew the factory antenna and have no antenna, the NAV will still work just fine.

 

robin cassidy is right. i have an r56 with nav and a stubby antenna with no problems

 

and be careful with 02-07 on products because the convertible was still a first gen in 07 only the hardtop was a 2nd gen in 07

 

Thanks guys.
I actually ended up going with a German product from eBay. It's 1.2 inches, making it I believe the shortest on the market (?). It looks great on the car.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...3AMEBOFFX%3AIT

I just got it today, installed within seconds, and had the same reception quality as before, navigation (as assured by everyone) was unaffected.

Thanks for everyone's input.

 

Hi, I have a 2009 JCW Clubman. Does anyone know where I can buy a shark fin antenna with XM/SIRIUS /GSM/GPS/AM/FM reception? Thanks guys!