I noticed that you cannot order the Nav System and Sirrus radio from Mini. Is this because they cannot fit the two antennas in the shark fin or is there a singnal conflict? I have an 05 with NAV and am wondering about install issues. I would like to hide the antenna but want to make sure I am not wasting time if there is a technology conflict. I figure it is more likely another Mini English wiring thing.

 

Mini will not allow you order both, not because they can't co-exist, but because the antenna module used for the Nav system dosen't contain the Sirius antenna. There is no signal conflict. I also have an '05 with NAV.

Here's how you make it work - it is really quite easy.

From your dealer purchase the Sirius receiver and the cable to power it. These are two seperate items. I don't know the part number of the cable but you may be able to find it either here or on NAM. The cable will run from the CD changer connector in the compartment on the right side of the boot to the open compartment on the left side. (Snake the cable under the molding). You will mount the Sirius receiver on the mounting screws already there. The antenna only has a single connector, but the Sirius receiver comes with the adapter to split it into the double connector that goes into the receiver module.

For the antenna, purchase the Terk Mini (thats it's name - it's not a special one for your car!) antenna and place it on the roof behind the car's antenna. It's magnetic and will stay there. Run the antenna cable inside and down the left side into the antenna connector for the Sirius antenna.

When you power up your system, the head unit will automatically see the Sirius receiver. Activate (you get three months free) with Sirius and you're all set.

 

I have an '06 MCS with the h/k stereo and NAV and found the same thing - that you can't order that combination of options with satellite radio. The dealering didn't know why but it's purely a lack of a combined GPS/XM antenna.

I wanted XM (already have 2 receivers plus the new one in the MINI) so I got the Blitzsafe adapter with an XM Direct tuner box. Installation took 5 minutes to get it working and another 30 to get it looking nice because the h/k amp in the back-right boot didn't leave much room for the XM direct box and the Blitzsafe box.

Everything works great and I put the little XM "Oreo" antenna right behind the GPS antenna. I miss the "TuneSelect" feature of the Delphi SkyFi units, but this way there are no dangling cables or unsightly boxes cluttering up the dash.

 

gadgeTT,

I called Scottsdale Mini and they quoted me $840 for the complete Sirius install. I too have XM in my other car and would like to do XM as well in my 06 MCS (w/HK but no NAV). What did the XM components cost you and where did you get them? I am looking for a clean installation with no "boxes" attached to the dash, etc. Also, it there is a way to do the antenna other than with the magnetic option, I'd be interested in hearing about that as well.

Thanks.
Timzmini

 

Yikes!!! $840 is a total rip-off (even for Sirius). The Blitzsafe adapter is about $160 from discount car stereo and the XM Direct box should be about $49 from anywhere (Best Buy, etc.) but can be had for a tad less online. Installation can be done yourself in about 5 minutes. Therefore, the whole package is about $200 for integrated XM. There are two models of the Blitzsafe adapter; the SLD-01 allows for CD changer pass-through, but I got the SLD-00 which doesn't have CD pass-through as I don't have a changer (who needs one with XM, single in-dash CD and AUX input). Please let me know if there is anything else I can answer for you.

 

GadgeTT,

I'm quickly finding out that some of the dealer installs are outrageously priced. Maybe they do that to discourage work they'd prefer not to do...who knows.

Thanks for the information. I'm pretty handy so I'm sure I'll be adding this as soon as I get my 06 MCS. By the way, the website says it's good for 03-05 Mini so I'm assuming there will be no difference for the 06? Just curious if you know...I can call discount car stereo. Also, you mentioned it being at tight fit in the boot with the HK amp...any chance of a pic of the installation you did? I'd hate to re-invent the wheel since you've already done a slick install.

Oh one other thing...any way to integrate the regular antenna without doing the "oreo" antenna? It's not a showstopper, but if you know of any other options I'm all ears.

Thanks again.
Timzmini

 

Hi Timzmini,

According to the info from Blitzsafe, the adapter is not compatible with h/k units or cars that have NAV, but my '06 MCS has both and it works just fine. As far as I know, there is no way to integrate the XM antenna into the regular one. Theoretically, if you don't have NAV, the MINI-branded non-NAV antenna might work for you but it's designed for Sirius and I couldn't even begin to speculate on whether XM and Sirius antannae are compatible. That would be the only way that you could have a single antenna on your roof. Since I have NAV, my car has the FM/NAV antenna which isn't compatible with satellite radio, hence my need for the XM "oreo" one.

As for a photo, it wouldn't show you anything... just a fully-stuff boot cubby ;-). I basically just pushed and shoved until I got everything in there.

Good luck!

 

gadgeTT,

Your information has saved me a ton of research and dinero!! I found another place online (myradiostore.com) that has the components (packaged Blitzsafe SLD01 and XMD1000 together as part number XM-RVR-D-101 in their system) for $189.99 delivered to AZ. Thanks again for the help...I think I'm going to like the Mini "experience."

 

Timzmini,

Before I accepted delivery of my MINI, I had a lot of questions like this and the friendly folks here in the NAM forums helped a lot! I'm simply giving back to the community that gave to me.

Glad I could help.