I know this has been covered and believe me I have checked the threads. I am just wondering if this is doable....

I am thinking of getting the Delphi XM unit and want to hook it up in my MINI (once I actually get it). Will the Delphi unit hook to the aux imput?

Next question is what are some viable options for antenna placement?

I have thought about the power issue and I'm going with the add-a-circuit for this. Placement will be no big deal. Heck I might even just leave it on the euro parcel shelf and try to use the remote (if this will even work)

I thank you for any help you can offer

-Ollie

 

I had an Alpine unit installed on my Cooper just before my Va to Ca raod trip. I had the faceplate flush-mounted on the small plastic piece behind the cup holders. I have to look down to see the face plate but the unit has a remote. The installer used an FM modulator to run throught the stock unit and steering mounted controllers. The shop had originally put a outside mounted antenna inside of the car and the reception was terrible. I purchased a Delphi install kit from BestBuy and mounted the antenna just forward of the stock radio antenna. It is facing the wrong way but the wires were routed to the unit which resides in the boot on the left side. I had to drill a small hole at the base of the stock antenna, but the cover hides all minor surgery. I do have a sunroof and there is at least 1/64" between the roof when opened and the antenna. I am very happy with the setup and can take some photos if you want, when I get home.

 

The main thing is can it be hooked to the aux imput? I appreciate your help though.

 

I assume you're talking about the Delphi SkyFi unit. If so, Yes, it works fine with the MINI AUX adapter. Just turn the audio out on the SkyFi up and andjust the gain of the AUX in on the MINI's headunit. I had the dealer install the adapter in the glovebox (if you let them do it, check their work... I didn't and the install was pretty sloppy). I just leave the bulk of the cable in the glovebox and run the rest down to the SkyFi. The SkyFi is attached to a ProFit UltiMount which is attached to the inside of the right downtube.

I can't see the display very well in 5th gear... but there's usually not a reson to stay there very long :smile:

I have the antenna on the dash near the UV detector thingy. Right now it's just sitting on some rubber shelfliner and it hasn't moved a bit. I was able to run the antenna wires under the knee bolster and around the edge of the dash.

Here are some pics:



The antenna seems OK on the dash. Very few cutouts around town where there is a terrestrial repeater. Only a few dropoffs on the freeway and in the hills where the view to the south of obscured by land or trees.

-grantbob

 

kewl pics grantbob!

So is the sat radio sitting on or over one of the pretty much useless cupholders?

 

YOU DA MAN! That's what I was looking....and hoping for. One more question: What cable did you have to purchase to hook the XM to the AUX? OK ONE MORE question: How did you do the install of the antenna?

Thanx again

 

>>So is the sat radio sitting on or over one of the pretty much useless cupholders?

Yup. It's suspended slightly over and in front of the cupholder witht he UltiMount. I can still keep stuff (not cups) in the holder behind the radio. It's also just low enough to be clear of the toggle switches.

>>What cable did you have to purchase to hook the XM to the AUX?

Just a regular 1/8" male-male stereo connector. Found at any rat shack or best buy etc.

>>How did you do the install of the antenna?

The antenna wire is run under the steering wheel behind the knee bolster (it just pops down) then up to the edge of the dash and around the back of the dash (by the windshield). I just tucked the wire into the cracks. It took about 2 minutes and can come off just as fast. The antenna itself is just sitting on a little piece of shelf liner... nothing holding it down except gravity.

The only thing that bugs me about the SkyFi is that it's really hard to read in the sunlight. It looks great at night though. XM is coming out with a Roady unit for the car that had a backlit LCD. See: http://www.xmradio.com/get_xm/ This might be better for reading in daylight. I like my SkyFi though because I can carry the receiver from home, to the car, to my office and use it in all three places but only have one subscription.

I'm pretty hooked on XM.

-grantbob

 

Thanks. The Roady DOES look pretty cool. I may be waiting for this. It might even be perfect timing.

 

I put my XM antenna in that same spot (with dbl-stick tape). I found the reception is spotty in very hilly areas, but putting it on the roof didn't really improve it so I put it back on the dash for security reasons.

The XM antenna on the roof of my wife's cherokee gets much better reception though. I guess it's THAT much higher.

 

>>I put my XM antenna in that same spot (with dbl-stick tape). I found the reception is spotty in very hilly areas, but putting it on the roof didn't really improve it so I put it back on the dash for security reasons.
>>
>>The XM antenna on the roof of my wife's cherokee gets much better reception though. I guess it's THAT much higher. :smile:

Also the "new" mobile antenna coming out with the Roady and the SkyFi mobile kits is supposed to be better than the existing one. It's also a little bigger than a matchbook! If I get reports that it's a LOT better than the existing one fromt he people at the xmfan.com forums I might try to switch antennas.

-grantbob