OK here is my question. I really like the OEM radio and want to install the OEM Sirius radio with an Ipod adaptor as well. No one including 1-866-ASK-MINI seems to have the answers! (I have a new 10/06 MCS - and I do have the pre-wired changer wires in the rear hatch)

Several questions:

What does the text on the OEM Sirius look like? Can you see a scrolling channel / artist / song stream? I understand there are 18 presets for channels.

If I use a DICE adaptor what does the text look like? Is it easy to use if you have 60 gb of music?

Are these two devices compatible? I assume if the DICE is AUX in then the Sirius is just another touch of the Mode button on the head unit? OR do I need to go with the MINI "y" cable to use my Ipod with my Sirius unit?

I have the "old" style Sirius factory antenna I bought from the dealer - I got the last one...does the pre-wire for the antenna go to the location of the sirius module from the roof or do you have to fish the wire down behind the headliner? (I think this Sirius box goes in the right rear hatch?) Just wondering if this is a project I can do at home vs sending to the dealer....

Thanks and sorry for so many questions!

 

MusicMINI,

The OEM SIRIUS receiver is installed in one of the side pockets of your boot. It's a large rectangular box. If you have the (factory) Harmon/Kardon stereo option, or the (dealer-installed) DPSM stereo upgrade, then the passenger-side boot pocket will already contain the amplifier, so you'll need to buy an extra accessory cable to rewire the cable across to the driver-side boot pocket.

The OEM SIRIUS receiver simply becomes another option on your "MODE" button, so you cycle between AM/FM, CD... and Aux if you have it. Also, the OEM SIRIUS receiver, while it does "ride" the CD changer cable, also has a "passthrough" ability so that you can still use it with a CD changer, or CD changer-replacement such as the OEM iPod adapter or DICE. You buy yet another "special" cable from MINI to utilize the pass-through ability.

The OEM SIRIUS displays the channel, artist and song name on the OEM head unit display, but you have to hit the INF soft-button in order to make it show up. Also, it won't scroll the name beyond the screen length unless you first turn on "scroll mode" by holding the INF soft-button for 3 seconds. Unfortunately, when the car is turned off, it does not remember the status of the scroll mode setting, so each time you turn the car on, you'll have to re-enable the scroll mode if it is important to you.

Side note - the DICE is not an Aux input device, it requires the CD-changer connector. You an still keep an Aux input in addition to the DICE, as well!

So yes, they are compatible, although I haven't done it yet. I plan on adding a DICE at some point in the next 3-6 months, most likely.

The OEM SIRIUS requires the satellite antenna to be connected directly to it.

Keep in mind that the OEM SIRIUS antenna is not compatible with the factory Nav system, because then you have a GPS antenna... so if you have the factory Nav, you'll have to use an aftermarket antenna. This is what I have.

I hope I answered all of your questions!

 

Wow what a great set of answers. Thanks very much.

It all makes sense to me. I am considering the DPSM as a part of this install but I would like to do this one step at a time...the speakers actually sound pretty darn good...I skipped the HK system so I could upgrade to either DPSM or aftermarket....after I got my car I liked the way everything looked so much I hate to change it!

Sounds like I need to put all of this in at one time to avoid having to re-route stuff.. I don't have the Nav system so I am using the OEM antenna base with the sat antenna / FM in one piece. I got the last one the dealer had as I read that they have now gone to the new puck style...the parts guy confirmed this to me at the dealer. I even got a discount!

I am still trying to figure out what the HD ability of this radio is....is this OEM unit capable of receiving the new HD format?

 

You're welcome!I strongly recommend you do the DPSM first, because otherwise you'll be locating the OEM SIRIUS receiver one place, and then have to move it again later... though I suppose you could try to "plan ahead" and install the OEM SIRIUS receiver on the driver's side to begin with (using the special CDC extension cable).Neither the OEM head unit nor the OEM SIRIUS receiver can recieve HD radio... but the DICE unit for your iPod is available with HD Radio support too, which is great.

Think about it... You could feasibly have:

• AM/FM
• CD in-dash
• OEM SIRIUS
• iPod (via DICE)
• HD Radio (via DICE)
• XM (via Aux input)

...all through the same head unit! Crazy, huh? Couple that with a Bluetooth connection and factory Nav, and you've got a crazy amount of audio connections. Of course I don't know why someone would have BOTH SIRIUS and XM in the same car...

 

The XM Direct actually emulates a Sirius tuner - so you could not have both unless one of the devices was run through AUX.

BTW - great answers on the above posts!

 

Perhaps you missed the part where I said:Hehe. Don't worry, I am well aware that the Blitzsafe adapter is a direct replacement for the OEM SIRIUS tuner. Thank you! So when do I get on the payroll? <kidding> I will recommend the DICE over the OEM iPod adapter without hesitation since it is absolutely no contest. I have no problems endorsing a product that I believe in... and the irony is that I don't even have a DICE yet.

 

The long hours are taking their toll - we have a lot in store for the MINI.

You really need get get a DICE in your MINI. I've seen a lot of your posts and really appreciate the feedback. Let me know where to send a DICE kit, consider it an early Xmas gift.

 

WOW, very generous of you, thanks. PM sent with address. I am probably going to be one of the more complicated setups, since I have factory Nav, OEM Bluetooth & OEM SIRIUS. I've always figured the passthrough will work fine with the OEM SIRIUS though.

My main concern for the DICE in my setup is that I don't want it to take over my entire Nav screen... if that's unavoidable, I'd rather it ignore my Nav screen completely and just display track titles on the head unit... which will be possible now that I have managed to get my hands on an SV50 HU. Of course, if the choice to display the info on the Nav screen was somehow added to the main menu (instead of taking over unannounced), then that would be the best option (although probably the most complicated). That way, if decided I wasn't using the Nav map, I could switch over to track name instead. User choice!

 

We've offered a free installation to a NAV-equipped MINI so we can inspect - unfortunately, no one has taken us up on the offer so I can't say for sure.

At the very worst, you can disable the text until I can datalog a NAV-equipped MINI.

 

I would have jumped on the chance a long time ago... if I didn't live on the opposite side of the country!That works... I hope that you guys get to figure it out sometime soon though. However, is it easy to disable the text to the Nav, yet keep it to the HU?

 

Not exactly sure - I wasn't aware of the issue until it was brought up here on the forum. Maybe you can test for me until we can verify on our side?

 

Well I ordered my OEM Sirius receiver from Classic and DICE adapter from EAS tonight.

I am going to add the stuff to my car and then consider the DPSM. I am planning ahead by locating the Sirius on the driver side....I hope to have it installed next week!

EAS has super customer service. I think everyone should buy a DICE right now! Look for pictures on my web log in a week or so....I plan to document the whole installation process. Ho Ho Ho Merry Christmas!

 

I missed the answer on the antenna... If you have an aftermarket Sirius unit can you use the Mini OEM Sirius antenna so you don't have to have two antennas on the roof?

 

It's hard to say - what Sirius kit are you using?