OK- I'm new here. My MCS is due at dealer early next week. (According to MINIUSA my car has been enroute for two months. I'm sure Columbus traveled faster.)

Anyway, I have a Sirius radio in my daily driver (Subaru Forester) and I like it fine except that it hangs on a post in the middle of the dash.

I assumed that it was built in to the Mini and all one had to do was have it activated. Wrong! East Bay Mini (my dealer) wants $695 to install it. Sure seems high, but the evil Sacramento dealer (closest to me) wants $825.

Question for anyone who has a dlr installed Sirius. Is it a unit that replaces the stock radio and fits flush where it's supposed to be? Or is it an ugly add-on like my Subie? What happens to the radio that comes with the car if I get a Sirius? Will they hand it to me so I can try and sell it on Ebay?

Thanks in advance for input and advice. I'm sure I'll be asking more questions and joining in forums.

 

No, and No...it is a box that goes behind the panel in the back, and plugs into the already present wiring to your head unit. You keep your head unit. Your mode button will switch to Sirius. So yes, it is completely integrated. The only thing that changes is a slightly larger base for your antenna.

The price hurts, and for many I recommend a $100 or so plug & play system. But you seem just like me, you already know the value of sirius and are willing to pay for the OEM system so you don't have an added-on widget hanging off your dash for it. Your steering wheel controls channels as well.

 

Jwardell is correct on the integration of the MINI Sirius unit, it's expensive but very nice.

 

Don't just get the Sirius install to your MINI buy the stock too. only at $5.15 a share

 

I was interested in the OEM SIRIUS solution... until I found out that it isn't compatible with the NAV system. Then I saw the news that NavTeq (the makers of the NAV system in BMW & MINI) signed a deal with SIRIUS, so that live traffic info could be downloaded into the system, and assist the driver to divert around jams. (MotoringFile story - http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/12/...al_with_sirius ) This gives me hope that a solution will (eventually) be sorted out.

Anyway, my question is whether anyone has heard (or experienced) differently about the OEM NAV/SIRIUS compatibility issue.

 

I bought my MCS with Sirius already set up from Roadshow Mini. They gave me a three month free trial of Sirius. When the free trial ran out I subscribed for a year and Sirius through in three months because I paid for the year in advance. I have thoroughly enjoyed the variety of music, weather and news.

 

Edge, the install takes 15 minutes and is compatible with the Nav system. It does not show up on the Nav. system but it does not conflict. you can search under XM radio and get all of the install info. it costs $50 for the xm unit, i assume that the sirius unit is the same cost and $180 for the blitzsafe translator box. i also assume that you need the translator box for either xm or sirius to allow the stock radio to work with the sat. signal. it is worth every penny, the sound is great, even with the stock radio and speakers.

 

I'm assuming that he's talking about the MINI version... in which case he's only partly correct.

There's no MINI version of Sirius for cars with Nav... Only because MINI doesn't seem interested in designing an antenna pod with both the GPS and Sat Radio antennas. If you'd prefer the MINI system in your car with Nav, invest in a seperate antenna for the Sirius, place it either on the roof near the existing antenna pod or on the back deck in the boot...

 

Didn't someone put the antenna under the dash that had the nav? I think it can be done, but it will not be easy.


Paul

 

Yeah, but I've never been able to locate where they put the antenna, and I don't know if that space still exists of if it was removed during the 2004 or 2005 MY introductions...

 

On topic?

I have the Sirius in my '03 MCS...LOVE IT

First off..pisses me off that I had to pay extra for it! Wife's Honda has XM built in and free service for three months. You would think BMW/MINI would get with the program (or maybe Sirius) and install the system. Once you have it you're hooked. I do like the XM better but Sirius is still much better than over the air crap.

On to the next, my '03 MCS has an '05 head unit as it was the early build of '03 (no Sirius) and I wanted the MP3 capable head unit. Dealer installed the Sirius fine. My '02 MC has a late build '03 head unit (still looking for an '05) and the dealer says they can not (Tom at Classic, so no one tells me to call) install the Sirius. I think that's crap, the Sirius is IN the head uinit so there should be no problem. Am I wrong in some way, as my '03 should not have been Sirius capable?

I really want the Sirius in my MC as it's my "daily driver" work car and I put quite a few miles on her daily. I would like imput on if someone wants to point me in the correct direction.

 

Yep. See:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ius+navigation

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/minide...2003/my_photos

 

Hi All,

Back to the Sirius plug-n-play unit to connect to the existing head unit...
On the information/tips from this thread I contacted Classic MINI seeking this unit and was surprisingly informed:

"I'M SORRY, MINI DOES NOT OFFER A PLUG AND PLAY UNIT. THE MINI SIRIUS RADIO IS CONTROLLED AND PLAYED THROUGH THE FACTORY HEAD UNIT."

Can someone tell me the part number (or exact name) of whatever it is I would need to connect to my existing '05 head unit to subscribe to Sirius? Or is Classic MINI correct in telling me that I have to order a new head unit? I'm confused!

Thanks for your help!

 

Classic MINI is correct, MINI doesn't offer a plug and play system. Plug and play systems for satellite radio are ones that can be moved from car to car or even into your home. The one for the MINI is more of a fixed system, once it goes in, you don't take it out... The XM SkyFi and Siruis 2Go systems are plug and play systems...

You don't need a new head unit, and that doesn't appear to be what they're telling you, just that you asked for the wrong thing.

Tell them you want the MINI Siruis kit as advertised in the Accessories Catalog (aka you-ification workbook) on page 30.

 

Thanks, Michael!
That did the trick!