I just got my 2008 Mini Cooper S this week. I need some help with Sirius radio options.

I got the Premium package, so it has the upgraded, 10-speaker stereo. It did not have the convenience package, but I did have the iPod/Bluetooth kit installed. I plugged in my iPod, and it works great.

I also have a Sirius S50 radio. I bought it because it has 2-hour recording capabilities. I listen to Howard Stern on the 1-hour drive to work. When I arrive at work, I tell the S50 to record the next 2 hours. When I leave for home, I have 2 hours recorded, so I can skip the commercials.

Now here are my problems:

1) the cigarette AC adaptors in the car are not powered when the key is out. The S50 doesn't have power when I'm at work, and therefore can't record anything for me.

2) I have a radar detector plugged into the cigarette adaptor, so I had to run the S50's power cord to the boot. When I was driving home my first day, I hit a bump, and the power died. It must have knocked it loose, but since I was on the highway, I couldn't do anything about it.

3) I also had to run the S50's antenna out the window and onto the roof. I understand that I may or may not have a Sirius antenna built in, and that it may or may not be under the passenger seat, but I was unable to locate it.

So what are my options? I know that I can pay $1,000 to my dealer to have a Sirius radio "installed" into my stock radio. I didn't choose to do that because 1) that's way too much to pay for a radio, given that I already had one, and 2) it didn't have recording capabilities.

But now that I have read that the $1,000 includes a lifetime Sirius subscription, and now that my S50 "solution" is no such thing, I am considering it.

One option I am considering; replacing the entire radio for an after-market unit with a display screen, navigation, iPod integration, and Sirius integration. But I'm not clear on whether that can be done in my 2008.

So what are my options? What are other Sirius listeners doing?

Thanks!

PS My last car was an Audi A6 2.7T, which I thought I loved. I thought it was a bummer when the timing belt broke and destroyed my engine. But two weeks later, I realize that I was driving the wrong car, and I have now wholeheartedly joined the Cult Of Mini.

 

You no longer have the $1000 FACTORY installed Sirius option (with lifetime subscription). Now you can get a $599 + labor ($200-$300) DEALER installed Sirius with 1 year subscription. You may be able to get a discount on the unit itself (~$480 at Morristown Mini). You will still have to pay labor. You can do it yourself but will have to pay the dealer for doing the software upgrade.
All 2008s should have a built in Sirius antenna accessible under the passenger seat. There is a connector on Ebay you will need to buy. Search SMB on NAM for the link.

The only option I have heard of for replacing the entire unit is to mount it in the secret compartment. Doesn't sound like a good idea to me.

Why don't you wire a new power source to your existing unit from the fuse block that is always on? I'm not certain which fuse number to use but it seems there should me one that is always on. I recall a post that outlined all the various fuse locations that can be tapped. Good luck.

poyzin

 

OK, thanks for the info. It sounds like what I need to do is to get th S50 installed by a pro, and have it hooked up to a permanent power source and the car's satellite antenna. Then I can listen to it via the Aux input of the stereo, which is just fine with me.

 

I have the same optioned Mini on its way, should have in couple weeks and i felt same way about the $1k. How is the sound from the S50 and did you wire it thru the FM antenna or just broadcast to an available fm station?

Thanks

 

I am currently using the FM transmitter to listen to Howard Stern. It sounds OK, but sound quality doesn't matter so much for talk radio.

I am shortly going to get it professionally installed, using the car's satellite antenna and AUX line-in jack. I'll try to remember to leave my impressions here when I get that done in the next month or two.

 

I think I made a mistake getting the Ipod input which means I will not have the aux line in jack. agreed on Stern sound quality, its the music which makes Satellite worth it. Besides, I'm sure Artie died last week.

 

I just installed the mount for my Sirius Starmate 4 into my 08 MCSC.

The reception seems fine with the antenna placed on the dash. That makes wiring easier.

The sound through the AUX input is poor. Very boomy and no highs. I had to adjust the Bass and Treble to make it listenable. When I use the radio through my home stereo, it sounds fine. Anyone else see this with the AUX input?

The Sirius radio stopped working yesterday. I haven't investigated, but it seems like a blown fuse. I'm using the cig outlet. Anyone have fuse issues?

(Sorry for the potential hijack.)

 

I just upgraded my S50 to a Stiletto 100, and wired it to the Aux port. It sounds much better than the FM transmitter ever did.

I read somewhere that the FM transmitter is mono only; maybe that's part of it.