Hi,

I recently got an XM portable/car unit and I was able to hide the antenna wires pretty well through the weather stripping, but I wasn't sure how to hide the cables from the aux. and the power adapter that connects to the xm unit. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

Don't know if you knew but there is a XM radio antenna already in all Minis in 2007 - underneath the passenger seat there is a wire with a pink connector , it leads to the FM antenna on the roof that has a XM radio antenna in the base of it. I put my XM in the bottom of the center stack , in the cubby hole. Kept it from moving with some "hook and loop" strips - the cable from the output goes right to the Aux. connector. I put power on by using a "Add a circuit" connector in the fuse box. Looks nice to me - have 2 Minis actually - one has a old Roady2 in it - the other has a Delphi SkyFi 2.

 

I installed mine in the boot - hooked it up to the power outlet in the boot, ran the antenna wire up through the weather stripping, and ran a long aux input cable under the seats. I really hated the look of it flopping around in the cubby with that big power adaptor plugged in the the center. I use the XM in the car almost exclusively for one channel (202), so changing channels isn't an issue for me, and the power only comes on when the car is running. I'm very happy with it...

 

Some have reported more frequent drop outs using the factory Sirius connector. I went with the provided xm antenna and hid it in the weather stripping as well. I wouldn't mind a better power hook up. I may look into that.

Putting it in the boot is actually not a bad idea as my roady came with a remote. But for now it is in the cubby.

 

I wasn't sure if the remote would work through the rear seats - I'll try it out today.

 

It may not. I keep my seats down 99% of the time.

 

I mounted a XM Sportscaster unit in the cubby at the bottom of the stack. I used one screw to attach the mount to the back wall of the cubby. It is a well hidden piece of trim.
I wired the power source into the fuse box and routed the wire under the dash, pretty easy hide.
I use the built in antenna and don't have a drop out issue. Works just fine, and the wire is easy to hide. I have a website with a 90 degree plug for the unit, but it is a "maybe later" kinda thing.
The aux plug wire is a pain. I bought two 90 degree plug adapters from Radio Shack, they help hide the aux wire behind the unit mount. Only problem is the aux wire I have is gray. Sticks out like a sore thumb. The only short one radshak sells is gray.
I keep a lookout for a 6" black wire to replace it, but it isn't like I am scouring the planet for it.
All in all a pretty slick install.

 

I looked under the seat and saw a yellow box with cables running out but I couldn't find a wire that was not connected to anything. Is this cable wire available on all 07 minis even with just the base speaker package? I could be just looking in the wrong spot.

 

I have the base system, as well. I didn't find a yellow box or anything, just a slit in the carpet. Fished around in it with my finger and out popped the lead.
I dunno, guess I got lucky.

 

Pardon the dumb question, but why does the MINI have an XM antenna? Is it that the sirius and xm antennas are the same?

 

Yeah the sirus antenna works the same and can be used with xm.

 

Ok I found one wire in the slot of the carpet but it was black and didn't pull out farther than the slot. It had two connections that said 1 and 2. I must be doing something wrong. I appreciate the help.

 

It is important to note that the XM ants and Sirius ants are tuned specifically for their respective services. The MINI has a Sirius ant _not_ an XM ant.

The only reason it works for XM is because Sirius and XM use adjacent frequencies and each others ants will pick up both satrad signals. It just won't pick up as strong a signal as the proper ant. However, depending on where you live, it may be plenty strong for your listening pleasure.

Personally I plan on using the XM ant.

 

Mine was located by pushing the seat to full back position. Under the front of the seat, just behind the seat release bar, there is a raised rib under the carpet. Mine had a slit in the carpet and the wire for the seatbelt detector came out of it (I am working from memory here, but I believe that is correct). The sirius/XM wire is very thin with a brass connector on the end.
Hope that helps.

 

The connector is underneath the seat pan - I removed my seat to get to it better. The seat has 4 Torx bolts holding it - Had to use the Impact wrench to get them out. Under the seat there is a black plastic pan which is held in by four phillips head screws. You can only list the pan so far as it is under the carpet on the outside edge ( closest to the Door ) The connector is under here. I could not lift far enough to get to the connector and that is why I lifted the seat. The connectors under the pan are a fibe optic twin connector and the single connector is the one you want.

XM and Sirius antennaa are lossy antennas and have a fairly wide bandwidth that's a reason why they work also. They cover the bandwidth of both services.

 

I cannot for the life of me figure this out. I looked under the seat is the exposed slot with the a wire that connects to the passenger seat the area the antenna is located? Does anyone have pictures of one so I can see it visually? If not, that's ok, I'm just a visual person.

 

I'm interested in trying to stuff an xm unit in my car as well and would love to see some pictures of this install. Anyone?

 

I will take some pics this weekend.

I put the XM in the cubby. The sportster.
I used the windshield mount for it. I took off the
suction cups, took out the plastic where the cubby is
and drilled two holes (I had to expand the holes a little
in the windshield mount). I used 2 black flat recessed
hex head machine bolts (nut in rear unseen). The kind
used for cheapo furniture.

All wires were ran up the side of the cubby where the
heat control is, and across the dashboard (there is a lip
above the glove compartment. All wires would be
the antena (didnt know about the under the seat), and the power.
I used the power supply that goes into the lighter, but put
wires on the end of it, and attached to the fuse box.
The antena I put almost center of the windshield on the dash
(hiding the wire in that little grove).

All excess wire and the big converter thing are stored in
the upper right side dash (there is a cover that pops off
to give access). About where the mirror is, but on the dash.
I used tape and zip ties so nothing would rattle.

I have since seen a power source that doesnt use that big thing
its more direct, with a little converter.

I had to cut and size the input mini plug (from radio shack)
because it was long and was a too close fit for the input jack.

It would have taken more time (had I known) to hook the antena
under the seat. But with the long high roof I will lose reception
now and then when going directly north.

 

I am installing XM (hard wire) and would like to see pictures of the install
I have the skyfi2 and am most interested in getting rid of the lighter plug. I am already using the AUX for connection to my radio and will be removing the seat to access the antenna. PICTURES PLEASE!

 

condor, thanks for the reply, but I too am interested in installation of the hard wire for the antenna under the seat. I would like to see your pictures as well for a comparison to mounting in the dash though. Thanks.

 

This is great info on here! I just got my Mini (2007) last week without the Sirius but heard its prewired and I can order the kit online from a dealer in NJ.. however, I would prefer to have XM as that's what I know and love.. has anyone been able to hook up XM while using the factory head unit? I saw 'handshake' box (connects xm to headunit) online but seems to only go up to 2004.. any thoughts? I'm not to keen on having a separate receiver for XM..

 

I have a 2007 MCS with NO satellite radio from the factory. IS the head unit in the MINI "satelite ready" (its able to display the song etc)? I know it does with regular radio.

Will I be able to purchase the Sirius Universal Connector......<-----Link Below
and use the existing headunit in the MINI to change stations?

LINK: http://shop.sirius.com/edealinv/servlet/ExecMacro?nurl=control/StoreItem.vm&ctl_nbr=2640&siId=2482698&catParentID =24750&scId=24750&oldParentID=7870
The SiriusConnect™ SC-C1 universal tuner lets you receive SIRIUS Satellite Radio in your vehicle. You'll see channel, song, and artist information on your stereo's display, and you can save your favorite SIRIUS channels as presets. You'll also need to add the SIRIUSConnect adapter that's compatible with your factory or aftermarket stereo to control all of the tuner's functions.

2. Also what is the difference between the "Radio Wave" and "Boost Radio" I have the "Boost" in my MINI, says it on the CD player. I found that on Real OEM.com Is the wave for SAT Radio and NAV?


I GOOGLED 65129119346 (stock part number for Sat Radio Reciever from realoem.com) and it came up on circlebmw.com for 415.00 plus 35.00 for install kit. I wonder if this will work if the SiriusConnect™ SC-C1 universal tuner does not work.
LINK: http://www.circlebmw.com/cgi-bin/acc...records=Search

Will that work on our radios?

Look forward to your help.

 

Xanderbear, you asked exactly what I want to know too. If anyone has an answer to this please let us know!!

 

LeviGarrett.. from what Ive read so far the 'handshake' unit wont work in the 2007, something about the 07's using a fiber optic cable that they (Blitzsafe) will not be making a unit for.. Im going to call Blitzsafe to make sure this is true and to check ALL options. I really don't want Sirius but at this point I suppose Ill take what I can get since the XM/Sirius merger will benefit all.

 

I will take some pics tomorrow and post a link
from my photobucket.

As for having the songs pop up on the radio
(and use radio controls) a part has to be invented
for it (I'm not sure which company I forgot, but
I got the link somewhere here).

That part will connect to the CD changer port in the
right rear fender. You would then get the HD
radio that hooks to it.

I will be interested to hear feedback on other people that
install the XM, non sportster model. The sound is perfectly clear
but only about 1/2 as loud and not as full as the radio or CD.
I have the inputs/outputs turned all the way up. I have also
used a cheapo Rio MP3 player through the aux input with
similar results. Which makes me think the aux input loses
something in regards to sound.