After looking at the myradiostore.com bundle for ever, and thinking it was way to expensive, I ended up buying the stand alone parts from Crutchfield (XM Direct box) and Blitzsafe (MINI Interface). Total $150!!!! (plus postage)



Install was a breeze, under 15 mins to power-up.

XM-ready wiring loom is already in the boot passenger side storage (2003 onwards)



Antenna is mag mount and sits on the roof behind the RF antenna - cable runs into car via the large grommet for the hatch cable loom



Roll away the rubber seal to allow access to the roof liner, and feed the cable towards the rear passenger side pillar



Cable drops down the pillar into the storage area, and you plug up the XM module, and the Blitsafe unit, to the antenna and MINI loom



Test the set-up before final install - you get the XM test channel on 1 when you use MODE on the MINI stereo unit to select SAT

Then do the final fix in the storage area using industrial double sided tape



Close the hatch, and it's a really neat install



Authorized the set online ($9.99), and it took about 15 mins for the XM unit to be enabled for full channel operation.

Sound is superb, no drop-outs and no advertizing!

XM controls from the stereo and steering wheel, display shows channel/artist/song info as well.

I'm sold already!

Chris. :smile:

 

Lets have some crutchfield links and part #'s. I hope this will work work with HK stereo unit as well!

 

Yes, please post part numbers. I have searched the Blitzsafe site, but I am not finding the interface. Thanks for the info. I have also been waiting to buy XM since the Direct has been too expensive. This is much better!

 

Yes it does work with the HK - space in the storage area is tight as that's where the HK unit is situated, but it will all fit in.

Here's the Crutchfield link:

XM Direct

And the BlitzSafe part Number is XMD/BMW 101 (Allows pass through connection to a CD changer or additional Blitzsafe unit - say for iPod)

Chris.

 

I did it this way and it works!! But at the time that I did the install crutchfield did not have the blitzsafe so I ended up paying 200 total... It is a very easy install..

 

You guys think this will work instead of the Blitzsafe?
TERK XMDALP-100

 

http://store.yahoo.com/eagleday/miniaudio.html

I found this too, is it the same one Cooperb! ?? The model #'s are a bit different, but it looks the same.

 

Not with the MINI head unit, it's for an Alpine head unit

You need the BMW specific one that BlitzSafe make

Chris.

 

Well, I'd check with the store first. Looks like the basic MINI unit.

Make sure it will drive the XM Direct box from your MINI head-unit.

There are two BlitzSafe units that work with the MINI, one allows you to add a CD autochanger as well as XM radio, the other does not.

Same price, so I went with the one that would allow me to add an additional item later if I wanted.

Chris.

 

OK, Thanks for the help Chris!

 

WOW - only $150 plus subscription for out-the-door and fully OEM-style XM Radio!?

Thanks for letting us in on your discovery!
but.......

I can't seem to find the Blitzsafe adapter: link me up Scotty

 

Found a better deal!

XM module @ Circuit City 44.99
Blitzsafe module @ RSpeed 75.95
--------------------------------
Total for both ------------- 120.94

RSpeed

 

so the channel/artist/title appears? does it cycle through all three the way rds does?

i might have to give up on my quest for sirius

 

Damn! I hate you!

Great find, if it's the right module - call and check first!

Makes it an even better deal - no excuses for anyone now - go get XM installed and have a commercial free MINI

Note: this module will NOT allow you to have a CD autochanger or additional BlitzSafe module for iPod etc etc. The one I installed has a set of pass-thru connectors so you can add items to the wiring loom, after the XM unit is installed.

Call and check it will drive the XM Direct box from your MINI.

Chris.

 

You have to press the INF button on the MINI head-unit to cycle through the channel/artist/title, but it's all there.

Nice to have it all built-in to the std head-unit, rather than having bolt-on modules all over the dash.

Chris.

 

$24 more for that option

 

I just called BlitzSafe direct, as it's not on their website (which is crap anyway!)

They had an 'exclusive' deal with myradiostore, hence the lack of advertising on their own website I guess.

No issue buying direct over the phone - the module part number on my invoice reads XMD/BMW 101

The module everyone else has found online looks the same, apart from the lack of pass through connectors, but I'd be damn sure and check first before I ordered.

I figured I'd just go direct to the manufacturer for the real answer.

Chris.

 

If you mean this one:

New from BlitzSafe of America -an easy to
install interface for the MINI that allows you to
connect an Alpine CD Changer* to your stock
stereo while utilizing your OEM stereo
controls. Works with factory Nav system and
Harmon Kardon equipped Minis. Additionally this unit features RCA Stereo Auxilary inputs so you can also conect external audio signal from devices such MP3 players, CDs, DATs, Computers, Satilite radio, phones, etc. and play through the factory radio.

*Only applies to the following Alpine CD
changers:
S600, S601, S611, S620, S630 and S635
(S604 & S614 require an additional adaptor).

Then it's NOT the one I bought.

I think you're looking at a basic AUX imput device that will drive an aftermarket CD changer from Alpine.

That's not what I bought from Blitzsafe - I'd call and confirm that the module you're buying will allow you to control an XM Direct box, from the controls on your steering wheel

My personal experience was that Blitsafe knew what I wanted, so i'd say try there first!

Chris.

 

I havent ordered my Blizsafe unit yet because of all the confusion. All I want to do is add XM as I plan on getting the new iPod interface as soon as its ready. I dont plan on a cd changer either. So whats the cheapest unit from Blitzsafe I need?

 

Well . . . last night I ordered the XM Direct unit from the Crutchfield link Chris posted but couldn't find the Blitzsafe adapter. Luckily I again checked a few minutes ago- I've ordered the piece from the RSpeed link that 20cooper04 hooked us up with.

Now let's hope they all work.

 

So can you see the Song title and what not in the OEM display?

 

Just call Blitzsafe direct and talk to their customer service people about the interface you need.

That way you're safe.

For what you describe, you'll need the same interface as me, allowing additional add ons later.

XMD/BMW 101 - as per the invoice from Blitzsafe, and the label on the box it shipped in.

Chris.

 

Scan of Invoice from BlitzSafe - you can see the part number and description as well as price.

CENSORED

Chris.

 

..what if I don't need a passthrough to connect a CD changer in the future, can I get the one from RSpeed, etc.?

 

Wow this is great I think I will sell my OEM BMW 6 Disk CD Changer to help off set the cost. I want to go the XM route since the Sirius does not display the information on the OEM head unit. Any one interested in a CD changer let me know.