so i'm sick enough of local stations that i've decided to go for satellite in my 05 mcs. i'm trying to figure out if there is anything different in the 05s, i've read older posts about installing blitzsafe or whatever, is the 05 factory hu just like it an 04?

i remember reading mini got rid of the shark fin antenna because the new one was an all in one solution. can i run xm or sirius using the factory antenna?

and is it true that sirius doesn't exist for an 05 yet? i've been considering xm-direct, but if it's $300, i'd rather buy the factory sirius solution...

 

My understanding is that for 2005's the Sirius radio option is not yet available because they are working out some "unanticipated technical issues" that arose. It's a go though for those with 2003m 2004's. I imagine they will have a fix for the 2005's shortly.

 

I currently have an aftermarket Sirius unit installed. Works great but the mounting location is far from great. I have trouble reading the display while motoring. Does anyone know if they have fixed the antenna problem with the
04's. I would buy the factory unit if available.

 

replaced the stock unit with a clarion that matches the interior perfectly. the antenna is a tiny 1" square that is about an 1/8" thick. this unit has something on it called a MUSICCATCHER that allows you to record 7 cd's into it and leave them at home, working much the way a keg or mp3 player works. has all the other standard Sirius radio stuff.

 

The only antenna problem is that there's no place to put a satellite radio antenna in the shark fin. XM Direct feeds the XM input from an XM tuner into the headunit, even with Nav, I'm almost positive it can be done from a Sirius tuner as well.

 

I'm putting in an XMDirect unit and was wondering where the antenna has been placed/routed for those that have XM already installed.

I've read where it's not appropriate to place the antenna inside but can't think of how to run a conceled line to the roof.

 

Not sure what you mean by appropriate. Inside the car is not necessarily the most optimal location, but on the dash or on the shelf in the boot are both locations that work extremely well.

Ther other option is to run the cable in the trim inside the car back into the boot, then up and out the top of the boot and onto the roof.

 

"The other option is to run the cable in the trim inside the car back into the boot, then up and out the top of the boot and onto the roof."

Yep, and you can poke a small hole and run the thin wire through the rubber grommet that runs the wires to the rear boot, and place the antenna just behind the radio antenna. The only exposed wire is a couple inches at most. Basically you won't see any wire. That's how the dealer ran mine.

 

I currently have the sirius antenna in the middle of the front dash.

 

For the installation of the XMDirect antenna, follow these directions.

http://www.nickpresley.com/xm/

I have XMDirect and LOVE it.

 

Wanted to pass on some information.

I have a Pioneer AVIC-N1 and was told the XMDirect receiver and Pioneer adapter would work with this unit. IT DOESN'T!!!

I installed and was very disappointed when the HU didn't recognize any output from the XM receiver. I called Pioneer and was told that the adapter doesn't work with the AVIC-N1. Some do get it to receive a signal but there isn't any control, that is, can't change the station.

I went with the Pioneer satellite receiver. Installed it and everything works great! I have the antenna under the dash and seems to work just fine.

 

What do you get with the Pioneed satellite receiver? Obviously not XM - Sirius? Something else?