I have a June of 04 production Mini S. I was wondering if anybody knows if I can install satellite radio on a my car (w/ the stock head unit) if I have an aux cable input plugged unto the HU?

 

Yes, shouldn't be a problem. Completely different connections. The satellite radio options (both the OEM SIRIUS and the Blitzsafe / XM combo) use the CD Changer cable to do it, which has nothing to do with the Aux input, so you're good to go.

Put it this way, I have it (OEM SIRIUS receiver & OEM Aux input at the same time).

 

GRoovy. thanks

 

Yes, I have a Sirius StarMate receiver, which I use through the AUX port. It works just fine! Very easy, and allows me to also use my iPods if I want to, instead.

 

I think that MaxMini81 was talking about getting an "integrated" satellite radio solution, and leaving the Aux input free and available for other devices.

 

Oh, perhaps you're correct. I'm sorry if I misinterpreted MaxMini81's query.

 

XM Direct will be your cheapest solution if you want an integrated solution. Takes all of five minutes to install - all components will fit in the passenger side rear hatch area and it uses the cd-changer cable. Title and track info appear on the head unit.

 

Not if you shop around for cheap (used) OEM SIRIUS receiver.

I'll have one on sale either tonight or tomorrow.

 

I saw a kit that ooked like the satellite radio pugged into the antenna port via a line spitter that accepted the oem antenna and sat. radio is that how it works? I'm so confused as to how this works

 

You need this.

 

The bottom line is you first need to decide if you want XM or SIRIUS. That's the most important question that needs to be resolved first....if he chooses XM, yes. If he chooses SIRIUS, he doesn't need any special adapters.

 

Equipment cost for Sirius is almost 3x that for XM. We offer the XM kits here on the site:

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

We have Sirius kits also, but the 2 companies will be merging in the upcoming months.

 

Well, yeah... OEM hardware tends to cost a lot more than aftermarket - it's not just specific to the SIRIUS vs. XM question.

Searching for used parts helps to cut down on costs, but that applies to both solutions too.

I'm very curious to see how the merger pans out, both for content and for receiver equipment.

 

We'll see - XM claims the same equipment will be used:

http://www.xmradio.com/merger/news.xmc

 

No, I knew that... but I'm curious to see if new hardware will become available after the merger that can receive both satellite signals at once... opening up a wider array of channels at the same time.

I realize that none of the current receivers will cease to function, but new models may have "extra" capability after the merger. That was my curiosity. Case in point, from the SIRIUS website:(Note, I added the bold for emphasis)

Reading between the lines, this means that there may be some limitations on what content you can get after the merge, depending on which radio you have.

 

True is that.. I'm awaiting to pull the trigger on Sirius - I'm hoping Opie and Anthony will also be on Sirius.

On other stuff - Tom do you know if there is any way to get the XM Direct to work with the MOST bus on the BMW/MINI?

 

There's nothing at this time, but we're looking into options on the new MINIs.