The only acceptable radio station here in Cincinnati has been eliminated, so I guess it is time to consider other options. I've read the threads on the OEM Sirius setup. Although a bit expensive, provides a clean installation. My dilemma is that I have 3 vehicles in which I would potentially like to be able to listen to satellite radio: The MINI, another vehicle with a factory system, and a vehicle with a (supposedly) sirius-ready Kenwood HU.

I could potentially go ahead with the MINI OEM unit and get another portable to switch between the other two vehicles as well, at some additional expense. Is running a portable into the MINI via the aux input a reasonable option? How does one install / connect an antenna in this instance? Can it be done anywhere near as cleanly as the OEM system?

The system in the car is non-HK, non-NAV, non-changer. I've got a bit of a pipe dream of installing the DPSM, but have not purchased that yet either.

Opinions, advice welcome.

Gregg
2005 MCS JCW

 

Especially in your case, I would recommend staying away from the OEM. Not only is it $500 vs a $75 portable unit, it is missing many of the more modern features, bad interface, and worse sound quality.

With a little effort you can permanently install and hide all wires. Get a nice bracket to mount it. It can look very nice.

 

I installed the Sporster 3, mostly due to the fact that the background colors were similar. I was able to run the antenna cable overhead around the door and windows and directly behind the factory anttena. It took all of about 10 minutes. I didn't go with the factory mount and bought an after market mount on Ebay for about 10 bucks.

 

We all have our opinions... the OEM option is indeed a lot more expensive, but I don't think it sounds as bad as some people suggest. It sounds pretty darn good to me!

Feature-wise, it is obviously limited by the head unit's single line screen... so really it comes down to a personal decision:

• Pay more for the "integrated" OEM one, which is completely hidden and becomes "part of the car". More theft resistant.
• Pay less for an aftermarket solution, which adds features and a larger display, but looks like an "add-on", which it is. Less theft resistant.

It really depends on your own priorities!

 

I have the OEM and love it. I got the parts for about $350 from Classic and had my own audio installer put it in for about $75.

But as Edge said, depends on your preferences. I personally cannot stand the look of anything add-on like a plug-and-play unit. So OEM was really the only option for me. However, my husband has a plug-and-play that he loves, and while *I* think it looks like crap he thinks it looks really cool.

Whatever floats your boat, I say! Plug-and-play is definitely cheaper, and the features *are* better on most plug-and-play units than on the OEM.

 

I have the Sirius StarMate, which I got a year ago at Radio Shack for 29.99. It rests comforatbly on my cup holder, and the wires are pretty much hidden enough for me.

The best part is that I bought a second car antenna, and installed that into my wife's car, (the family truckster), and now we just move the radio from car to car if we're going on a road trip or something.

I like that it is portable...

Also, the display is all red, which is close enough to the orange lights on the MINI's dash for me. Hey, at least it isn't green or blue. I'm very happy with this solution.

 

For about the same price or maybe a bit more than you would pay for the OEM one you could get a whole new head unit, sirius box (that is hidden behind your dash) and installation. I went this route and now I have complete control of my Sirius through the head unit (as well as my iPod). If I was going to spend that much money I didn't want to be crippled by the OEM unit's limitations.

 

Yet another good option... although it still has the theft concern because your aftermarket headunit becomes a target.

 

My head-unit was "topped out" with iPod and NAV unit so - despite some saying that I could still add Factory Sirius - I decided to go add-on for two reasons -

• Slightly increased difficulty of installing Sirius in a Cabrio (no hatch door in boot to install unit - you need to remove panels - and antenna location is more difficult to install)
• My wife bought me an add-on unit for my birthday

Now, my unit is an unusual one that is not often discussed here. She found it on QVC but it is available direct as well (I bought a spare online as they are very cheap) - it is the "Xact Visor" available at -

http://www.xactcommunication.com/XTR3-Visor-29/

and I think that the whole unit with auto installation hardware is less than $50. The neat thing is the visible unit is long in depth and short in height, with the entire visible end being the display (not a "pancake style" where you are looking at the largest surface of the unit - causing more visual clutter). Channel selection is with a bunch of pre-sets and a dial on the right side next to screen, which I like. I managed to wrap the mounting bracket from the bottom of the unit up and around the back so that it attaches to the bottom of the dash between steering wheel and center console, making the control **** a couple inches from the head unit controls. Also, in this location, you can view it through the steering wheel but it is out of your visual field most of the time (certainly not sticking out on dash or windshield). Also, the display is an orange color somewhat close to your head unit. I think it looks fine and I normally hate add-ons. The unit is cheap enough I don't worry about theft (yes, I know thieves would damage car to get cheap unit - but if they are that intent... oh well)

I ran all the wiring below dash and mounted antenna on dash in far forward position next to the "mystery button" on dash. I get no drop outs I would not have gotten if antenna was on roof - mainly overhanging trees, overpasses, etc. Installation took 30 or 45 minutes. You can install bracket either to normal knee bolster (use screws - glue pad comes free in spirited driving) or even to inside top of parcel shelf where I have it.

This unit can be attached to AUX or run in FM transmitter mode. I am doing the FM thing and have no complaints - I mainly listen to NPR but the sound quality seems reasonable even with the transmitter.

Unit is portable and easily removed for use in various cars - even a home kit for attachment to your stereo.

The unit is "basic Sirius" - all the stations and 36 presets (6 x 6 bands) with no recording options or other frills - but that is what I wanted. It also has a remote control that works well, especially for passenger.

Bill

 

My daughter bought me a Replay. I plugged the output into the Aux plug in the glovebox. Bought another power cord and splitter and "permanently" stashed all of the cord under the dash. bought some velcro to mount the antenna on the dash near the window so it doesn't roll around and put the radio in one of the coffee cup holders. I can move this unit from car to car, and by using the Aux, instead of the FM, sound qulaity is great.

 

Not sure what this would be like in your area, but have you thought about looking at a junk yard for an OEM radio? Personally I find that it is not a bad sounding radio at all. Sure, it doesn't have all the bells and whistles of other radios, but it does a pretty good job. I ended up swapping my OEM Alpine Boost out for the Siemens VDO version here in Germany so that I could get TMC on the nav. Both radios perform very well...

I think a protable unit is the best solution for you since you want to go car to car.

 

It's not just the single line, it's the way it doesn't make use of it. It doesn't scroll, just flash the next part. It doesn't remember that setting either, not does it remember to stay on something useful like artist.

The sound quality is inferior to the latest units. It uses the old hardware and antennas of the first gen units, and like the first gens, has much less fidelity in its decoding.

All satellite radios are theft resistant. If you report them stolen, they are deactivated and nothing but a chunk of plastic. My buddy had his entire system stolen, including amps hidden under the spare tire, but they purposefully left the brand new starmate replay on the dash.

 

You have a choice of carriers now:

Sirius Radio
XM Radio (for Boost systems, not compatible with Navigation)
High Definition Radio

The HiDef radio is the new option we offer that's integrated in the DICE iPod integration kit, here's some links to the XM and DICE kit:

XM Direct Satellite Radio Package for BMW & Mini
http://www.europeanautosource.com/pr...roducts_id=267

DICE High Definition Radio w/ iPod Integration (Mini)
http://www.europeanautosource.com/pr...roducts_id=608

Let me know if you have any questions on the systems, we offer OEM Sirius as well.

 

I picked up Jerome this weekend and was told that Sorius has sent out a few bad bunches of Modules for the OEM system so it wasn't installed. My MA said they would give me a call once they got some good ones in or to check my local dealership to see if they have any in. (I moved down to Socal).

Any suggestions? I'm enjoying my ability to use Mp3 CD's now, but I would like to have Sat Radio. I have the H/K.

What would be the better sounding solution? I would like to have something that plus directly into my headunit.

 

This will purely depend on your preference for Satellite providers. The XM Direct is a much less expensive kit, the Sirius is 2x more expensive - but has 1 year of service factored in.

 

my $.02

I have the Sirius Starmate Replay plugged into the aux port. The Sirius antenna sits on the dash, near the purple temp bulb. I don't care if the install wasn't clean, the wire just dangles over the speedo, off-centered to the right. My passengers don't tangle with it, so it's not an issue.

All the extra wire is coiled and tucked into the Hot Pocket (compartment below the toggle panel). I have an '03, so I bought the rubber console tray and that's where the Starmate sits. The blue display is too bright to stare at and I can change the pre-sets by touch, so I didn't need to mount it.

This works for me, is cheaper, plus I can always take the antenna and swap it between cars, or even in rental cars in a few minutes.

 

My family already has XM in 2 different cars, I would just add mine to their existing account. Has anyone Pepsi Challenged the sound quality between the 2?

What would be involved for installing this? Could i just swap out my huge antenna for a fin on my Coop?

 

The sound quality is very similar between both providers. Mini has a specific antenna for Sirius users, the XM antenna is very small and can be placed about anywhere where a clear view of the sky can be obtained.

 

I have had a Sirius Sportster Replay in my previous car for over a year and put one in my one week old MINI already. I hard wired power and ran the line-out to the AUX plug I also installed. It fits below the toggles and behind the cup holders so it is hard to see from outside the car. The installation was tight but the end result has no showing wires.

The two best parts of using a portable unit are the option to use it in another car or in your home, and the replay feature. The replay feature stores upto 45 minutes of programming. Since my unit is powered by a constant soure, I can shut off the car, pause the receiver, get gas, coffee etc. and when I get back in the car, I push play and it starts where I left off.

Sound quality is good, don't think it would be better with a factory install, but who knows.

Just my .02$