I am curious as to see who has Satelite radio (Sirius or XM). If you have it what hardware do you have (Mini Sirius box, aftermarket radio, Plug and Play...).

I dont want this to turn into a Sirius vs XM discussion as much as I want to see how many have Sat and how you connected it.

 

I bought a Audiovox Shuttle plug and play unit... I have Nav so was unable to get the MINI system (besides it's incredibly overpriced)... However you can mix nav and satellite radio in the same car with NO problems...

The car kit for the Shuttle has an FM modulator built into it, however I connect to the HU with the Aux cable instead. Total cost w/out sevice for everything was approx $240 including the Aux kit, last year. Total install time was 30 minutes including putting in the Aux kit, did it all myself... My antenna is on my dash becuase I was too lazy to run the cable from the radio back to the boot and onto the roof...

I probably would have looked at the XM Direct kit if it had come out just 2 weeks earlier. However, I'm satisfied with what I have...

 

The Alpine HU I installed is XM ready, so I just added the external tuner and it's all integrated. My wife's jeep has the old Sony PnP XM unit with an inline FM modulator. Not as integrated, but does the job.

 

I have Sirius satellite radio. I changed my OEM head unit and replaced it with a Clarion. I was really important to me to keep the OEM look and the new head unit is black with tangerine illumination. It also has a Musiccatcher feature that allows you to record about 7 CD's internal to the radio and then leave them at home, playing the tunes out of radio memory. I had the installer use a SWIX unit so that i kept the functionality of the steering wheel buttons as well. I like the system. My other three cars have Sirius also since we live in an area where you either get Loretta Lynn or Guns & Roses. Makes long trips tolerable due to the news, sports, talk and music content. I recommend it.

 

I had the dealer install XM sat radio, so life was simple.:smile: I really love it!

 

XM via Delphi SkyFi with car adapter and antenna. Input direct through aux input. Works perfectly.:smile:

 

I have a 02 MCS, so my head unit would not accept the dealer installed Sirius. While trying to decide what to do, I meet a nice 04 MINI owner who had replaced the factory head unit. She offered me her 04 head unit in exchange for my 02. Problem solved. I had the dealer install the Sirius and the aux. imput. It works great. I have XM in my other car and would have preferred XM, but Sirius is good. I know that the Sirius from the dealer is pricey, but the dealer had just received the price reduction on the Sirius, which they passed on as well as a 10% parts discount that they give our local MINI club. I also like the antenna that comes with the Sirius.

 

I have the Sirius that was installed at the dealer. It's got great sound and I love it.

 

Repaced stock head unit with alpine 7998 that has XM. just motored to the Outer banks of NC & back and loved not having to find a decent tune on the trip.

 

XM Roady using cheap FM transmitter. The setup sucks. Patiently waiting on the Blitzsafe Skylink that will allow me to connect a XM Skyfi unit directly to the radio. The Skylink will allow steering wheel controls to control the Skyfi and the song title etc will show up on the stock radio. The Skylink and Skyfi will fit in the back of the car in the little cubby holes. Very cool setup that will allow me to pop the Skyfi out and take it inside or to a friends house. Very similar to the XM Direct kit but the XM Direct kit is not plug and play. I will only need one monthly fee with XM radio.

 

I got the XM Direct package from radiosandmore.com. Took about 20 minutes to do the install in my 04 MCS w/HK and another 10 minutes for the XM to get activated. Nice to have the controls work through the hu.
Now I rarely use my iPod through the aux port anymore.

Highly recommend the XM Direct kit.

-Marty

 

I've had my XMDirect for a week and haven't tuned to local radio since.
Simple install except for hiding the tuner in the cubby hole with the H/K amp.
Does anyone know where you can get extension cables for hookup?

 

Sirius OEM, installed myself. Whether you get Sirus or XM, just get it. Satellite radio is DEFINITELY worth paying for.


jerij

 

installed sirius myself

www.seriousjazz.com/mini/sirius.html

 

Many threads with the satellite radio theme, but I can't find what I'm looking for. My doubt is:

Does the dealer have XM ready antennas for 03's?

 

I have XM in my '03. The antenna came with the XM Direct unit. The install is pretty easy.

 

I have XM installed thru the Dealer. I love it

 

I got sirius radio via my alpine 9835 headunit. more of the content that I liked than XM (the wifes gmc has xm built in). Can't wait for howard stern in Jan. '06. w00t!!

 

I don't want the dealer Sirius ($$$$$$), but also don't like the goofy extra antenna that is required in the roof for aftermarket portable Sirius through the Aux input. Is there any way to get the integrated Sirius/FM antenna that Mini sells, and use that with an aftermarket portable Sirius unit?

Thanks

 

This is what I'm looking forward. Where can I find the OEM part number for the XM antenna?

 

What makes you think such a part exists? MINI sells SIRIUS, not XM.

 

Sisius plug and play here. Running it through AUX. Works fine, sounds good. I'm happy.

 

same here. With a very nice installation bracket, my JVC unit looks great mounted next to the stereo. Very happy and very CHEAP compared to the OEM. Also much more user friendly and easy to switch stations, etc.

 

My installer did a cabrio with it's factory antenna, and I though somewhere could be one for hardtops. Doesn't exist? no problem, I'll use the micro antenna.

 

I''ve got an XM Roady in my car, the wife has XM Direct w/Blitzsafe adapter. Direct gives a cleaner install, but Roady lets me listen to the radio like I watch TV ------ Changing the station every 3 minutes With the Direct there is no real display, just the one line on the head unit, so you can't scroll to see what's playing while still listening to the other station.


For the antenna question, we're using the standard micro antenna that came with the units, but if you're brave you can follow Americonium's mod and put the antenna inside the base of the stock unit.

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