Hi all, My 06 mini s i have 2 weeks now, loving it and I want to install xm or sirius radio. Does anyone have any thoughts on which is better and where to install? Thanks.. I hope to meet up soon !!
Bill

 

I'm an Xm fan..but only because I'm on it in another vehicle. I too just purchase a Mini MCSC....w/HK....I'm craving radio w/o all the commercials...will have Xm install tomorrow.

 

Sirius but if the merger goes through you'll have the best of both. Sirius also has the better original programming mainly due to the King of all media.

 

Purely depends on programming - XM is about 1/3 the equipment cost that of Sirius.

We have the XM kits on the site:

XM Direct Satellite Radio Package for BMW & Mini
http://www.europeanautosource.com/pr...roducts_id=267

 

i have sirius in my truck and just love it

 

I love my SIRIUS. I also love that it's an OEM receiver, complete integration, perfect fit... designed specifically for the MINI. Not cheap, but it really feels like part of the car.

 

I've had XM for awhile. I like the programming that it offers. If your a baseball fan then XM is definitely for you. If you are a NFL fan then Sirius would be better. I've heard both music programming and I have to say XM offers better music channels (in my opinion). As soon as I got my MINI I wen tot circuit city and bought a INNO and had it mounted below the toggle switches. it is underneath and a little ways back behind the cup holders. You can still see it, it not reachable while your driving but then that is why there is a remote to go with it.

 

Just as Amazonracer said it won't really matter when they merge, so save some money and go with the XM, I have it and love it.

 

I had Sirius before I got married. My wife is a huge baseball fan so we switched to XM. They both have lots of chanels and if you read the descriptions of the chanels they sound pretty similar. I liked the chanels on Sirius better.
With the government allowing the merge to form a satalite radio monopoly (isn't government regulation supposed to prevent monopolies?) it probably won't matter which you have in a year or two.

 

The merger doesn't seem likely. Congress seems resolute in its opposition, probably because the National Association of Broadcasters (i.e., terrestrial radio) is spending big bucks to prevent it.

Choosing XM or Sirius comes down to content. If you are looking for music channels, I've heard from a music-loving friend who has both services that XM's channels are better (although not all of their music channels are commercial-free).

For other content, Sirius offers a lot more. They have the NFL, NBA, NHL and NASCAR. That may not matter if you like baseball, since only XM has MLB. College football is on both, but each service only has contracts with select conferences.

I know Sirius offers a free online preview. XM probably does, too. I'd check them both out to see whch you prefer.

Also, you could get the official MINI Sirius installation done and then get the "brain" changed to get XM instead.

 

How invasive/difficult is the install of the XM equipment? Is there an easy way to do it?

 

Easiest way to do it is to install the XM Direct using the cd changer cables in the trunk. That will use the factory radio and controls to run the XM unit. I put one in my 04 and it took less than 15 minutes. There's a writeup here someplace that shows the part numbers for the adaptors and such. I think I paid $100 with shipping.

 

My R56 XM install was easy. The car is prewired for Satellite from the shark fin antenna in back to under the passenger seat. A extender for the antenna, a mount to the cupholder, and plug in to the power outlet, and that's it. Was really easy, no cutting/pasting/drilling/taping.

If you have an R56, here's a link to get you started
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...highlight=terk

 

chpsk8, how and how well do the controls work with this setup. Just talked with the dealer and they quoted $499 for an install of XM.

Also, would this coexist with my dealer iPod connection?

 

Sorry dwjj, mines old school 1st generation. If I were to get a new one it would be too since I'm a drop top guy.

 

Just wanted to say thanks. I think I will go with the xm so I could mount everything out of the way and operate it from the radio in the dash . You all were such a big help .
Keep Motoring !!

 

If you go the XM Direct & Bltzsafe route you'll be very happy. I'm loving mine.

 

The controls work pretty good. The radio will tell you what station you're on, and if you hit "info" on the head unit it will show the artist. The radio will not scroll, so if the title is long, you just get the first bit. (example Bluesvil not Bluesville)

The steering wheel controls will run the volume and presets easily. To just change a channel without going to the presets is a little challenging just because the buttons on the wheel are a little touchy. You get to load three preset "banks" so you should be able to preload enough channels.

Not entirely sure about the Ipod thing, but I see at this store they have one that seems to run the Ipod also...

http://www.myradiostore.com/search/G...&search=Search


Installation is super easy. Open the boot and remove the access panel on the passenger side. There's a loop of wires in there. Two of them have little plugs on them (more obvious with pics, but this will get you started). The two plugs plug into the XM direct unit. Then wiggle the rubber trim at the top of the boot where the headliner meets the rubber. You'll just need to fish the antenna wire through the headliner and down the C pillar and into the trunk. (not as tough as it sounds, took me 5 minutes tops)
Meanwhile you should go online and activate your account. Wait 15 minutes and go out and start the car. Might take a couple minutes to lock in the first time. Thats it, you're done. Enjoy your new XM... I know I do!

With that said, you can see that you should just tell the dealer no thanks. For that money you can get a unit and 5 years of service!

 

Try holding the INFO button in for 3 or 4 seconds. It should enable "scroll mode", which means it will show you the rest of the title names. At least that's how it works with the OEM SIRIUS setup... I imagine it's a function of the head unit, not the receiver, so it will probably work for XM Direct as well.

Unfortunately, the head unit does not remember the setting was turned on, so you have to do it each time you start the car, but at least it works!

 

Edge... tried that and it didn't work. It did indicate that "scroll lock" was on, but wouldn't move. :(
I've got a Roady 2 in another car and that one scrolls, gives sports scores and specific stock prices. Pretty cool to be able to check my specific stock prices on the ride home.
Overall I'm really pleased with my XM direct. My only complaint is that I store my car in the winter and the XM direct box doesnt' fit my truck. I paid for a year so a few months are going to go to waste. :(

 

I was supposed to have XM direct installed as well as the stock iPod adapter. At the last minute I got a call from the dealership saying they couldn't do it (by the way I have a '06 MCS). They hook up the stock iPod adapter in the CD changer ports and they do the same with the xm direct as well. So if you have a stock iPod adapter then as far as I know it can't be done together. There are ways around this. Use a aux port to plug your xm unit directly into for better sound and so you don't have to deal with FM modulator. Or there is way to hook it up through a FM booster which basically enhances the signal from the XM unit so the radio doesn't pick up FM signals from outside the car. That is how mine is hooked up currently. Personally I would have liked it hooked up so I could control it from my steering wheel, but I am quite happey with this set up since the unit I purchased is also portable.

 

Wjgianne - Check the link in my post above. There is an XM Direct unit that works with the Ipod adaptor AND lets you keep the 6 disk changer in the boot. They list the 06 MC as compatible only asking that the factory Ipod adaptor is installed in the dash. If no Ipod adaptor, then you just use the unit I have. This is aftermarket, so odds are your installer just didn't know about it and thought there was only the one solution to the issue.

 

figures...that would of been perfect back in November. Well I have my Inno installed in the car, I'd rather not pull that out and then get that. But thanks anyway.

 

The never ending argument.

Fact, If you need Stern you get Sirius.
Sirius is very shallow compared to XM when it comes to playlists. XM's catalog of music can be scary for some, but cant be matched by any. I personally adore it and cant live without it.

Till receintly XM had the hardware advantage and i feel they still do, love my Inno. And yes, XM stuff is usually found cheaper than Sirius.

 

I know nothing about Sirius, but I do know that I love my XM. I'm hooked & will be a subscriber for life.