I'm probably going to stick with a Sirius device for now. I have SONOS is my house that taps in to Sirius (no option for XM) and I don't want to pay $12.95 to both companies.

 

I have my antenna sitting on the shelf just behind the back seats. There is a little metal strip that runs through it and is just big enough for the magnet to grasp it. I loose signal occasionally, but it tends to be on more overcast days or if I am traveling under lots of trees or get stuck under a bridge. For the most part, I have a pretty good signal. The only time I stick it back up on the roof is if I am carrying a load in the back and don't have the shelf in place.

I would like to get a new receiver, but I am trying to hold out a bit longer just to make sure that they aren't going to change their minds and require a new receiver to get all of the stations. I would hate to buy a newer, nicer receiver and have it not work in a year or so.

 

Why not use the factory antenna?

 

wow there's a antenna cable all ready in the car, I never new that :P is that for all minis?

 

yes, steve216, the SAT antenna is in all MINIs....it's part of the AM/FM antenna on the rear roof. The SAT cable outlets under the passenger seat, and extension cables are available from several sources (do a search for SIRIUS antenna and you'll find several threads.) Some people are able to get to the SAT antenna cable just by moving the seat back as far as it goes; others, me included, had to remove the seat in order to find it (it's buried under carpet and padding). In my case, once I found the cable I just pulled it out and plugged in the extension cable, leaving the connection exposed under the seat, so if I ever want to remove it I don't have to go to the trouble of removing the seat again. Lots of people have done this and the built-in SAT antenna/cable work with either XM or SIRIUS. Try it, you'll like it.

 

Actually, I think it's all MINIs after a certain year (05 or 06) because we don't have one in our 04. Mine was neatly placed underneath a plastic cover. The cover was held to the floor with four screws and the connector was embedded in a piece of Styrofoam. I did have to remove the seat though in order to neatly run the extension. Word of advice: DO NOT TURN ON THE CAR WHILE THE SEAT IS REMOVED. Otherwise, you will have to go to the dealer to get your airbag system reset... which is why I have a big red idiot light where my speed should be displayed right now.

 

Is the antenna in Cabrios as well? ('08)

 

I don't think the cabrio is in the same place as the R56. I think it is in the passenger side boot area.

By the way you can get an aftermarket xm solution for the first gen, hardtop and cabrio (which includes 08 cabrio) that will play through the head unit. Do a search on xm direct. Relatively an easy install.

 

Sirius all the way!

 

I only use Sirius a tenth of the way, and XM for 90% of the way.

 

Here it is guys... FCC approves...

http://uk.reuters.com/article/ousiv/...32863820080727

Also check this site out.. they are talking about different possible packages that might be available.. and the best news is that current radios of either XM or Sirius will support both post-merger signals...

http://www.siriusmerger.com/

I dont know how "lifetime" subscribers will benefit or los-out on this merger... In the past, people have gotten lifetime Sirius for $399 (earlier this year).... pretty good deal if you have your radio for 3 years...

A LA CART style plans...
http://www.siriusmerger.com/site/page/a_la_carte

 

Thanks, Doc Cooper, for the web page cites........ This morning's Wall Street Journal carried a rather short article reporting that this past Friday afternoon, Commissioner Deborah Tate, the swing vote, did formally vote in favor of the XM-Sirius merger -- so it's definitely a "go" at this point. Cost them big $$ to settle outstanding violation issues, along with some additional promises, such as a 3 year cap on fees and a'la carte pricing. The deal also included a promise to bring out inter-operable radios within a year (which infers to me that in order to concurrently receive channels from both services we're going to need new receivers). Now I just hope that the a'la carte pricing will give us what we consider the best of both services, hopefully (ha!) at a reasonable cost.

 

The best place to go for Sat Rad. news is http://www.orbitcast.com. Ryan keeps up with EVERYTHING.

Now, I just want to see that stock climb!

 

I like the any 50 stations for $6.99/month deal. Also you may be able to get any 50 from each for about $15/month. That would be cool. This isn't a good time to buy one of these soon-to-be-a-dinasaur radions nor to pay for a long term subscription IMO. USA Today has the prices today. Seems to me it'd be easy to just send the other programs stuff over yours, and in fact they are gonna do that to some extent. If they didn't and they hosed people who had bought these receivers I think the whole niche market could easily go bye bye. They already found out the hard way that at most there's room for 1 of these services. And a lot of their customers are already paying for it now. Unlike the cellphone market this isn't going to grow that much. Be careful treating the paying folks.

 

Yes, this could be interesting for those of us with lifetime subscriptions.

 

I'm definitely glad I didn't order the Sirius with my '08. I've been trying to figure out which solution I'm going to go with but I'll probably wait it out for a bit. I read that the new plans (i.e., a la carte) will be available within 3 months of the merger going through. I would love if I could access Sirius internet radio from my iPhone 3G and then I wouldn't have to mess with a Sirius unit. Of course, it would really just work in the city.

 

You & me both!!

 

Do you (or anyone else for that matter) know of any options like this for the 2nd gen MINI's?

I realized I wanted satellite radio after it was too late, and I would much rather be able to integrate it with my stock system (i.e. be able to see stations and song titles on the Nav screen, and control it with the MFSW) than have a separate receiver.

If anyone knows of any options (I'll have an '08 Clubman) please let me know!

 

I know that as of right now, the only integrated satellite radio solution for the MINI is the Sirius radio that MINI sells.

 

Honestly, I would be fine with that if it's fully integrated.

So, if I got that would it be just like I ordered it from the factory and have no extra parts? I could use the radio controls to tune the satellite radio as well?

If so, that's awesome.

I'll have to call my MA in the morning.

Thanks!

 

Thats the way it better be. I have my satellite set up and it's through the stock unit built in with the radio, ipod, ect.

Love it so far!! I only hope that I will be getting more station when they add the XM to the family :D

 

You can install the MINI Sirius tuner at any time. It just plugs in under the passenger seat then the dealership has to do some programming on your car for it to be recognized. It is fully integrated into the nav system screen, controls, etc.

 

Thanks so much!

I feel a lot better now.