I thnk I want to add XM radio to my 08 Hardtop S... Found this small device on their website... It's cheap, plug-n-play, with chimp easy install and activation.. Just plug it into the cig lighter socket, plug the furnished accessory cable directly into the MINI aux in port, then run and plug in the antennae....Basically Sat radio for under $50....

Has anyone tried the XM SNAP?? http://shop.siriusxm.com/xm/ctl10600...nvehicle_radio

 

I have this one, it works fine in my 09 MCS. I have not tried to splice it into the existing antenna, I use the little magnetic one that it comes with, routed up to the top of my dash. My only complaint is that I only have one lighter socket up front, and this takes up that one. Other than that it works geat, and plugs into the AUX socket, I can still turn the volume up and down from the steering wheel.

 

Excellent... Do you by chance have a pic of where you mounted the outside portion of the antennae? or one showing how you have the actual pod angled?

 

I do not, but I can take one tonight soon as I get home and post if if you would like.

 

Yes please...

 

Here it is. I keep telling myself I am going to buy the adapter that will let me plug into the existing satellite cable (under the passenger seat) but have just not taken the time to do so.






I did not route the included antenna to the outside of the car ... I brought the cable under the dash, up the side and behind the dash to the center. If you look at the center of the dash you can see the black lump that is the magnetic satellite antenna.

 

Thx for the pics!!!

but a question.... "existing satellite cable under the passenger seat"?

Really? does my 2008 S have that?? That woud make my decision a no brainer.... was dreading running the antennae off the top of the car...

what kind of adapter would be needed? Got a link to a pic of it? is it easily accessable? Sorry about all the questions..

 

Yes, I believe your 2008 already has a satellite antenna combined with the radio antenna on the roof, and the connector is under the carpet of the passengers seat. "It seems that the newer models R55 Clubman and the R56 come pre-wired for Sirius - that is, you can tap into the satellite radio connection in the car's antenna - it's there even if you don't have the Sirius radio modules installed in the car."

This thread has pics, and a link to the cable you need to connect under the seat and then to the Snap. https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...e-antenna.html

I have been meaning to order the cable and then fish the connector out from under the passenger seat and hook it up, would be much nicer that way, just have not gotten to it yet.

 

Neato.

 

Drat!!! Was just about to order the XMSnap after all this good advice.. especially the part about accessing an antennae under the passenger seat.. Decided to check just to make sure...

Slid the seat back on my 2008 S Hardtop... looked underneath and nothing... No box.. no cable.. just space... Drat!!!

Is there any other place I might look other than under the passenger seat? Should I cut a hole and look UNDER the carpet?? or should I call a dealer and ask?? Anyone??

 

I have been told it is absolutely UNDER the carpet. Some people managed to "fish it out" by using an unbent coat hanger.

 

disconnect your battery and remove your passengers seat. Its only 4 bolts and the connector for the airbag. Then it is pretty easy to find. On my 2008 it was right there. In my 2010 I had to remove the plastic door sill and pull the carpet up to find it. It should be there for you.

 

Geezz.. do appreciate the advice... sounds like you know what you're talking about... but if I have to start removing seats and air bag connectors, etc...that's a little more trouble than I was wanting to go to.

so are you saying I couldn't just make a slit in the carpet and reach through to find the plug rather than go to all that trouble??

 

I have read all the threads about this install, but the closest I could find was someone who wrote that although they managed to fish the wire out with a coat hook, they still were unable to hook up to it without removing the seat. That's why I have not done it yet (but I still plan to).

 

You can get it without removing the seat. I did it that way in my 08. It was in a different position on my 2010 and I had to remove the seat. There is already a cut in the carpet where it can come out. It is actually pretty easy to remove the seat. I will try to attach a few pics with my seat removed.

 

If I can do it without removing the seat, that's the route I'd rather go. Will be lookig at it tonight.

 

Here are a few pics for reference to see what you are looking for. The yellow clip in the first pic is the airbag connection. The red smaller connection on the second pic is what you are looking for. That is where the xm hooks up. If you put your seat all the way back there should be a slit in the carpet between the seat the the seat adjuster. That is where you will want to start looking.

 

OK.. hate to let this beat me if it's as simple as you say, phxsteele.

Went out with a flashlight and looked and yes.. I see the 4 bolts that hold the seat down.. easy to get to... if that is indeed all there is holding it in place.. removing the seat should take under 10 minutes.... is that really all their is to it?

I see the airbag connection... is there a secret to disconnecting it? Feels like it's locked together via some devious secret European design...?

So... I remove the 4 bolts, disconnect the airbag.. does the carpet lift up from the rear forward? I don't see any way it'll lift up from the front... or do I still have to actually cut into the carpet with the seat out? There is a slit in the carpet up front but it's only 3" wide and no way to fish anything out through there... ??

 

First thing is to make sure you disconnect the neg terminal from the battery. If you disconnect the airbag connection before you do that you will get a light that has to be cleared by the dealer. Then yes it is just 4 bolts. I did the 4 bolts first and then tilted the seat to the inside of the car to make it easier to disconnect the air bag connection. The carpet is one piece for the whole car. I removed the door sill to gain access to the wire but if you want to enlarge the slit that is already there you should have no problem getting to it. I ran some additional wires from under the seat to the fuse panel to add a few 12v connections under the seat for various plugins. So taking the door sill off is probably not necessary. Also make sure the airbag is hooked back up before reconnecting the battery. Good luck.

 

Thanks for the instructions & photos, it looks pretty easy and definitely the way I would like to go ... much better than having that antenna on the dash. Ordered a new XM receiver today though to replace the Snap ... smaller, think it will fit in the space under the window switches, and its even amber to match the dash lights!

 

So just to clarify... the ONLY way to pull the carpet back to get to that wire (if I don't want to cut the carpet) is to remove the door sill and lift it up from the side... correct?

 

So what did you order? and how does it mount?

 

AGT Sportscaster. Friend put one in his BMW, liked how it fit. Width should fit perfect under the window switches in the lower center stack, it comes with a bracket to mount it. Will hardwire power and use the adapter cable to link to the antenna under the passenger seat.

 

Looks good... if it fits.... Can you post how it works out and maybe a pic or two??

if the backlight matches the car.... that would be sweet...

 

I believe so. That is the way I did it.