I haven't taken a personal vehicle of mine through an automated wash in 19 years. This is my reward for breaking that streak.

Base r56, no bluetooth, no navigation, no options really to speak of in terms of the antenna. No sunroof either.

It appears I need a new antenna and a new antenna base. The one I have appears to be 65203456090, but that thing costs well in excess of $100. Closer to $150. 65203442105 appears to be functionally equivalent and costs about $40-$50. Is there any reason not to order that one and spend an extra $100 on the antenna base that the car came with?

Sorry for the picture, it was dark when I got home (I work evenings). Adding insult to injury, you can clearly see that the automatic wash did a lousy job of getting the car clean.

 

Ouch. Sorry to hear this. If under your auto policy you have zero deductible comprehensive insurance you might get it replaced for free. Further, most insurance companies won't raise your rates for a claim made under comprehensive. If in doubt ask your agent.

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...2169-01-a.html

65203456090





I would see if the insurance would cover it first, i know allot of those car washes are at your own risk.

other antenna:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...oming-off.html

 

I don't expect you would have any luck making a claim against the car wash insurance company. You would have better luck with your own insurance company. That is if you have comprehensive coverage.

 

Go to Craven Speed and check the Shark tail antenna.

 

With a winter storm approaching this afternoon, do I need to worry about body integrity with the way this broke off? I was looking at the new units and they appear to be sealed. Is there an additional seal inside the base, or is it time to break out the tape/RTV and saran wrap to seal it up until new parts arrive?

Also, I still need to know if it's ok to use the less expensive non-gps/satellite prep base on a car that originally came with that base.

 

I did. It's an r50/r53 item. I don't see anything of the sort for the r56.

 

It fits R56

 

I've had luck having a car wash replace them before, but it just depends. You could try. We have them new HERE or you could try to find a used unit in the marketplace or by searching www.car-part.com. Antenna rod HERE and with stubby antenna options.

The unit you have on the car is compatible with navi/phone preparation/satellite radio. If your vehicle is equipped with those then that is the antenna you'll want to get. You can PM me the last 7 digits of your vin and I can confirm if you'd like.

 

I've had car wash places replace some trim on a Audi I had and the rear wiper motor on a Volvo wagon that I still have.

 

Yea, it appears the car has the prep for some reason. But AFAIK, it has none of the options. It certainly doesn't have nav, and as far I can tell it doesn't have bluetooth either. It'd be a real revelation if it turned out that it did, lol.

Last 7 are TU69824.

 

Its the satellite tuner prep you have : 693 SATELLITE TUNER PREPARATION

If you go back to the other one, then if someone want to add Sat they will be stuck with having to change out to the original base.

 

Your vin confirms you do have option code 693 for satellite radio prep. You could go with the cheaper alternative HERE, but you'll lose that option code.

 

Car wash replaced it at their expense. Shop did a nice job, but I forgot to mention that my car had the "sport" antenna so I wound up with the stock whip as replacement.

Do you guys generally remove your antenna when going to the auto-wash?

 

Glad they did. Yes, I'd remove it as typically the car wash where I lived would always ask to remove them before having you enter.

 

Thats great, its good to remove it if you have anymore trouble. i comes out very easy anyway. I dont like auto car washes at all and try to avoid them for this issue. But if you have to use them, remove the antenna, and if you have a R58 or r59 , remember to put your wing down , those non touchless like to pull on thing.