I am thinking about buying a 2009 JCW which does not have satellite radio. It may seem petty but this is the one thing holding me back from pulling the trigger, because otherwise the car is perfect. I could stream from the Sirius app on my iPhone via the aux-in below the window switch (I assume), but I'd rather not have to plug in my phone every time I get into the car.

I prefer a factory-type install, and am wondering how I can tell if the car is pre-wired and all I need to do is get a receiver installed, or if I am better off going with some aftermarket install.

I've searched archives because I am sure this has been asked before, but I am not finding what I need.

TIA.

 

Just went through that with new MCS. If you can get VIN, dealer can tell you if car is pre- wired. If so, you may be able to re-program radio to activate built in satellite capacity. This is not the same as "activating" working sat radio to play satellite channels. Has to do with radio firmware. Car may have receiver and antenna and issue will be programming of radio unit to function as satellite. Now sit down. Cost to reprogram my 2013 was $540 which includes $360 plus tax for "code" plus labor to "reprogram". Only good news: includes 1 year Sirius subscription.

 

The 2009 will be a little different than the 2013.

I bought a 2009 MCS a month ago and was in the same boat, I loved the car bit it didn't have Sirius. I'm glad I bought the car but I still haven't solved the problem. Here are the options I have collected after combing the web.

I will rate them from a most to least factory look.

1. Purchase OEM Sirius tuner. Parts $500, labor anywhere from $100 to $500 plus cost to change Sirius subscription to a new device. If you self install you will still need the dealer to update the factory stereo with some software or whatever.

2. Audiovox Dice Universal RDS USB http://audiovox.diceelectronics.com/fmrds-usb-pro-avx
This is what I purchased a few weeks ago. It's a direct plug into the FM antenna which I've read should give good sound and will allow song and artist titles to show up on the factory display. My hope is it will show the channel number as well as channel name but I haven't confirmed that yet since installing it myself has proved to be quite a chore. I used to own a 2003 BMW 330 ci, I installed the Dice Mediabridge after the OEM Sirius I bought a few years ago started giving me problems and it worked very well. It added Bluetooth for my phone and iPod usage which was a bonus. Sadly they don't make a plug and play Mediabridge for the 2007 and later Mini's. Both of these require the SC-C1 Sirius addon which a lot of aftermarket car stereos use to add Sirius. $100 plus $50 for the SC-C1 which I already had. I have so far invested $50 more dollars for an add-a-circuit which lets me hook the unit up to the fuse box. A cable that let's me plug the SC-C1 into the factory antenna which is also a Sirius antenna. And a FM adapter which I just found out I needed during the install yesterday. Installation so far is at about 6 hours and its not in yet. Next time should be shorter since getting the factory radio out without ever having done it was a PAIN. Also, you can only operate this with a small remote which is included. But I have to find a place to mount the nickel sized IR receiver.

3. Sirius Sportster type install. Cost is in line with #2, maybe less, but much less factory look wise. There are some good threads on how to implement this and the different placement options of the unit in the cockpit.

4. Install an aftermarket radio where the CD slot and volume **** are. Depending on the head unit you get this could be anywhere between #2 and north of #1 for cost. Crutchfield would be a good place to start with this since they offer dash cut outs and instructions on how to implement. There are also some threads here that show how to do this and keep the factory unit's computer and chimes intact. I might go with this if I'm disappointed with the Dice option.

Hopefully something better comes out in the next year or 2.

 

Sorry, short answer on the wiring is that the 2009's have it under the passenger seat. The OEM Sirius tuner goes there, wires to the radio and antenna terminate there as well. Sounds like the original buyer probably did not option for it.

There also seems to be some question as to whether you can still buy the OEM tuner. I'm sure it's somewhere.

 

Still seems like starting with the vin to see what the car has is the place to start.

 

Diceman thanks for the awesome info. Really appreciate it!

 

Dealer checked the VIN over the weekend and confirmed the car does not have SAT, but I gather it could still either be pre-wired for it or not?

 

Yep, it can be added. All North American Coopers have the Sat radio prep option (includes the power harness and MOST bus fiber optic lines to the head unit).

There is a retrofit kit the dealer can install for you (or you could do it as well if you are very handy). The vehicle also needs programming to activate the SAT module.

 

As strobey said above, it can be retrofit, but it's a process and very expensive. Dice711 was spot on for costs. I was loking at this as well and the old retrofit kit is no longer available (which used to have a fairly reasonable price and included a coding cost), so now you need to buy the parts and pay for labor/coding additionally...my quote was nearly $900. Since it includes a year subscription I guess you can net down the cost a couple of hundred bucks, but it's still a lot. The labor price really is small since they just need to connect a bunch of wires, but the coding is what got expensive.

 

Consider making a total change. BTW, the above advice is great.
With a baby a lot of my life is budget driven.

You could get an XM onyx receiver for $10-50. They offer rebates on them now.
Or, you could get an older style sportscaster unit for almost nothing on ebay.
(even new). That is what I have now I just have not had time to install the onyx.

The sportster for sure and I think the onyx (not as sure) has the FM modulator.
I used this method for years in more than one car and the sound is great.
No wires. You could also plug it into the AUX plug. The sound was not as good
for me as the FM but it is a 2007, and I read that the AUX truncates a lot of the
frequencies.

Or consider replacing the entire unit. (which is what I did).
Got the ebay facia dash kit and chime thing it was under $150 total and
is a perfect match. Super nice DVD player from crutchfield (scratch and dent
but didn't have a scratch on it), sony for $200. Sound ordinance amp
from same for $85 shipped (originally had an alpine but milk got in it and
shorted it out). Six mid level boston accoustics speakers on sale $150.
Sound Ordinance powered amp open box for $100.

It is loud (and clear) enough on 1/2 way up to take the breath out of your diaphram.
Plus, my daughter can watch Sean the Sheep!

You'll spend the above getting a factory sirius retrofitted I think.

But lowest least cost great sound (in my opinion) get the XM
with the FM modulator. You only need power and antenna and you are done!

 

Well I decided to get the JCW and will have it on Dec 1st. I will take a look at all the suggestions posted already and I really appreciate all the help!

 

Congrats on the car and enjoy. Any of the options that the posters above mentioned would serve you well. Besides, with a JCW you may only want to listen to the engine and forget the stereo

 

Funny because that's exactly what the PO said when I was lamenting the fact he didn't order Sirius with it.

 

So I have completed the install of my Audiovox Dice Universal RDS USB http://audiovox.diceelectronics.com/fmrds-usb-pro-avx

All in all I'm pleased with the result since I have Sirius again and the sound is great. The device actually shuts down FM reception while in Sirius mode so as to allow for less interference I assume. The only problem is if I want to go to another FM station I need to change the source of the Dice to something besides Sirius before I change stations.

Here are some mid install photos at key points.

https://picasaweb.google.com/1081095...84506096001138

I hid the Dice device behind the smaller glove box because the power cords for it had to go to the fuse box at the passengers feet. It just fit.

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink

I hid the Sirius SC-C1 in the crawl space below the factory CD player where I was also able to store the extra cable slack. Since I was using the factory Sirius antenna I then had to run that cable down the center console which worked out quite well, but not without some work trying to get the cable to plug into the factory antenna under the passenger seat.

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink

I had to use 2 add-a-circuits. One for constant and one for switched power. I used #13 and #21, I forget which is which.



Here is the before picture of the FM antenna adapters with the green clips. The one on the bottom ended up being too long because there wasn't enough space behind the factory radio. I ended up ripping it apart and wrapping it with electrical tape to the radio would fit again. What I really needed was an end with a quick right turn instead of straight out for a couple inches.

Issues:

I don't love the remote. There are only 6 presets on it and it's very slow to go from one station to the next when browsing 1 channel to the next so the lack of presets will prove to be a hindrance. You can't operate it without the remote.

The song title scrolls on the factory display as well as the channel # and channel name but no Artist name. Not a problem for me but something to note.

On my 45 minutes drive in to work today the signal dropped twice per usual at some over passes but one other time while I was stopped at a light with clear sky. One second it was working and the next it stopped, but within 5 seconds it was back again. When it drops Sirius signal like when in a tunnel it says "Linking" on the display, but this time it said "Connect".

 

Finished the install of the Audiovox Dice Universal RDS USB.

The remote sort of sucks and it's the only way you can flip channels but I'm glad to have Sirius again.

 

Attached photo of where the Dice device is sitting behind the upper smaller glove box and the 2 add-a-circuits in the passenger side fuse box.