Has anyone bought the "factory" Sirius radio and assorted required parts and installed it themselves?

I know that I personally cannot do it, but I have a friend who installs systems for a living and am thinking that I can order the parts from MINI and have him do it, including wiring it through to the antenna, thanks to some instructions I found here.

Am I crazy? I'm addicted to my Sirius but just cannot swallow the $800ish it will cost to have the dealership do it.

Is there anything I need to know in advance?

What's your current Sirius setup? Maybe you are already aware of this, but...a much cheaper alternative is just buying an in car receiver, than wiring an atenna, and installing an AUX input.


I don't have much info about doing the factory sirius, however, I think that all the wiring is already done from the factory. I thought you just had to buy the receiver from the dealership (about $200-$300 dollars) and then it just plugs into some wires in the back of the car. Maybe I am wrong though, I am sure someone else has some more info .

I have a plug-and-play receiver already, but really want to maintain the "factory" look of the MC...that's why I want to go this route.

Is what you're saying that you think the stock factory head unit is already "Sirius-ready"? Because I've read some things to indicate that it's not...but of course, if I knew, I wouldn't be asking!

What I'm looking for is someone who's successfully installed Sirius using either the stock factory HU or by purchasing the factory Sirius HU and doing it themselves.

There is no such thing as a "factory SIRIUS HU" for the MINI as opposed to any other factory HU. The standard factory head unit is the only head unit you need. The OEM SIRIUS receiver is installed into the boot pocket, and taps into the CD changer cable.

If you have the H/K stereo, due to the location of the H/K amplifier, you will have to install the OEM SIRIUS receiver in the driver's side boot pocket instead of the passenger's side. This also requires that you purchase a special "extension cable" for the CD changer cable, to bring the connector over to the other side of the car. That is how mine is set up.

Keep in mind that there are three main part numbers you'll need to buy for the OEM SIRIUS:

1) The SIRIUS reciever itself
2) The install kit for the receiver
3) The SIRIUS antenna (which replaces the stock antenna, and is not compatible with the factory Nav)

The next two parts are optional:

1) Extension cable to move OEM SIRIUS reciever to driver's side (only if you have the H/K or DPSM stereo options)
2) Extension cable to allow connection of CD changer again (the OEM SIRIUS receiver has a "pass-through" ability so you can still use the CD changer with it, or an aftermarket CD changer replacement such as the Dension Ice>Link)

In my case, I had to use an aftermarket antenna (since I have the factory Nav), but otherwise my entire system is OEM.

The aftermarket receiver idea is indeed a much cheaper option (and with more features), but it's kludgy, IMO... relying on the connection to the Aux input. It takes away the "factory look" in the cockpit, and adds to theft concerns because unless you hide or remove the aftermarket receiver every time you park your car, thieves will see it as a temptation.

Okay, yay, someone who knows exactly what I'm talking about.

I don't have the H/K unit though, I just have the standard, stock, non-upgraded HU. I didn't know exactly what I'd be doing with it when I ordered, other than that I'd need to be adding Sirius to it, so I didn't want to spend money and put an option in that for whatever reason may not work with what I was trying to do. I do want to do the OEM iPod adapter but if that is going to complicate this then I will not worry about it - the Sirius is the priority. I don't have 6-disc changer, either.

So all I need to do is order the receiver, the install kit, and cables, and hook it up to the changer cable? Can it really be that easy (aside from the antenna, which will be an adventure all on it's own)?

Glad to help. Well... since you DON'T have the H/K system, you actually have even more options now. The most interesting (since you, like me, like OEM stuff) is the Digital POWER SoundModul. This upgrade is NOT cheap - but it is VERY good quality, especially for an OEM system. It is LOUD and CLEAR at the same time. I've heard one in person and I can attest to that. I liked it so much that I tried to look into getting it myself, but it is REALLY tough to do it when you have the H/K.

When I ordered my car, I had heard of the DPSM (via MotoringFile), but there was no indication at all on whether or not it would make it to the USA. I even asked at the dealership (which, at the time, seemed to make sense... but I've come to realize I often know more about what's coming down the pipeline more than they do, again, thanks to MotoringFile), but they had never even heard of it, never mind whether it would show up here. So... I chose the H/K, just in case. Now, don't get me wrong, I LIKE the H/K, and I think it's a pretty good value for a $500 option... but now I'm in a quagmire because the DPSM is significantly better, and I can't get it without spending a ridiculous amount on labor.

The point I'm trying to make - you don't have that problem... the DPSM is a much more realistic option for you, so if you want an upgrade, and you like the OEM look and feel (it does NOT take up ANY more interior space), you should consider it!The problem with the OEM iPod adapter is that it is designed to be plugged directly into the factory head unit... but in order to do that, the installer has to disconnect the CD Changer cable (and leave it disconnected), since the OEM iPod adapter (actually, ALL of the integrated iPod adapters out there, I think) is designed to take the place of the CD changer.

However, all is not lost. The OEM SIRIUS receiver has a "pass-through" design, which means that you can still plug a CD changer in after it... or, one would assume, any "CD changer replacement device" such as the OEM iPod adapter or an aftermarket iPod adapter.

Therefore, in theory I believe you COULD use the OEM iPod adapter with the OEM SIRIUS receiver... the catch is, it wouldn't be located in your glovebox, it would be located somewhere in your boot, since I'm pretty sure that the cable for the OEM iPod adapter isn't long enough to reach from the boot all the way back to the front. But if you get creative, I'm sure you could create a really neat mount for your iPod in the boot. Bonus - just like the glovebox, it would remain hidden from prying eyes when your rear seats are up. Yeah, pretty much! However, I've never done the install myself - I had my dealer do it... but you can get the printed instructions on it from MotoringFile - I'll find you the links if you like.

Okay, that is awesome. So in theory, the CD changer cable ends up in the boot somewhere - if someone has a photo of where to make my friend's life easier on this install, that'd be nice. I don't even CARE about the iPod install, to be honest. I have a Monster FM-transmitter jobby that works just fine for me right now, and I can toss the whole thing into the glove box when I'm not using it, just like I do now, if the pass-through thing doesn't work as expected.

Will the display on the HU work properly with the Sirius (meaning, will I be able to see channel numbers/other display info and such)? Or at least, does it on yours?

Trying to think of what other questions I have...thanks Edge, you've been a huge help so far

Although I don't have a photo handy, as I understand it, the CD changer cable should end up in the boot compartment on the passenger's side.FM... ick. Only as a last resort for me (such as travelling in a friends car).Yes, the HU display shows you the channel number (when changing channels), and the channel name when you leave it on that channel. If you hit the INF button (the very rightmost button, right below the display) once, it shows you the artist name. If you hit it a second time, it shows you the song name. However, it will only fill the screen once with the information, UNLESS you turn on "Scroll Mode". To do that, you hold down the INF button for about 2 seconds. Then it says "SCROLL MODE ON", and your INF button pushes afterwards will show you all of the info, one screen at a time (you just pause and watch). Unfortunately, when you turn the car off, it also "forgets" that you had scroll mode on, so you'll have to do this each time you start the car, if you always want it on (as I do). When the scroll mode is on, an asterisk (*) will show up next to INF on the display.

It's only a small one-line display, so it can't compete with the fancy screens of aftermarket units... but the OEM look and feel is a nice thing for some of us. You're welcome! Glad to help.

I'm researching the heck out of this right now as well. Can't bring myself to plop $900 down for a dealer install if I can do it for less.

I bought my mini off the floor, I need to remove the iPod adapter and install Sirius. (Bluetooth integration for my 3 spoke MFSW is next project).

Anyhow, here's some pertinent links to the Sirius install. I've seen threads for other cars showing a DYI install, with pics, going step by step, but am still looking for one for the 2006 Mini.


Official install instructions:
http://www.motoringfile.com/2006/01/...r-install-pdf/

Ramjabar, who writes the writes the installation instructions for the dealer-installed Sirius systems (for BMW and MINI). has posted here:
http://www.siriusbackstage.com/forum...ht=mini+cooper

Yay, you guys have made my week, now that I know I can do this and it's relatively easy

OK, here's a twist: I bought a used MCS w/ XM installed, with the non-HK HU. I really prefer Sirius (have it on DishTV), so my Q is this: Where can I buy just the little receiver/decoder box & antenna to go in the boot panel? It should be a no-brainer to swap these units out (providing they use the same CD changer cables), and then dump the XM hardware here or on she-bay.
Anyone think that's not right? Also, I am going to swap out some better 6x9s for the rear (again, NON-HK rig), and grab the leads to wire up a Basslink II while I'm at it. Any recs on good all-round 6x9s? I'm not a thumper, but I like it full & round.
TIA.

I finally spoke to a MINI parts guy who actually knew what he was talking about.

He says that at this time, what I am trying to do (hook up the iPod through the pass-through on the Sirius receiver) is not possible, but that he understands that in the next few months there will be a cable made available to make the connection.

I just wanted to follow up on this thread now that my project is completed.

I ordered all of the necessary parts - the Sirius set up, including antenna, and iPod adapter - from Paul at Classic.

Before I took delivery of my MINI, I had a "Y-splitter" installed, which allows for easy installation of both factory iPod adapter (or whichever kind you choose, I suppose) and a satellite box in the boot. This ran me about $300.

EMB's service department wanted almost $1000 to install the iPod adapter and OEM Sirius setup.

I took the parts to my audio guy that we've used for years, and he put it in for $75 in under half an hour.

I figure between the 20% I got off the parts from Classic and the install savings, I saved around $1000 on this job, and everything works perfectly!

Enjoy your set-up. Money well spent wasn't it? Plug and play kits are meant for anyone elses car but our MINI's.

From my days in the car stereo business, if you love pure, crisp, sound quality, you can't go wrong with Boston Acoustics, MB Quart, or Infinity.

You can do this as long as you are not using the MINI OEM ipod adapter. It works with the Monster iCruze and the Dice Electronics iPod adapters. All it takes a $9 cable from MINI/BMW. I have H/K, OEM Sirius and the Dice iPod all working together.

The one drawback to the pass-thru using one of these is that it induces a little bit of a ground-loop so you can hear some alternator whine that varies with the engine RPM. It was worse when I tried the iCruze so I replaced it with the Dice module. The whine is still noticeable but not so much so as to drive me nuts, and I really don't notice it that much when I crank up the volume. YMMV