I was going to have Best Buy install a Sirius radio through Aux input and wire power through fuse box. I am very hesitant on this and do not want to screw up the electronics in any way. MINI service advises against it - as it is all new electrical.

Any input on this would be greatly appreciated.

 

Your mini is pre wired for Sat radio. The shark like antenna in the rear actually has the hard ware for sat radio already. There is a receiver you can buy (same one for the X3, and same harness) that plugs right in. It will let you control it right from your factory radio. Cost should be around 200.00.

 

Mini website says Sat receiver not available until June. Where did you get the info on the x3 sat receiver being compatible with the MCS 07?

Thanks

 

Not that I'm countering their non-recommendation, but all mfrs disclaim themselves against anything you hook into the electrical system that's not theirs, even through the cigarette lighter.

 

I work for a BMW dealership, and got the info from one of my friends at out MINI dealership who has an X3 with sat radio. We verified that the plug is the same on both cars.

 

So how would you recommend going forward before official Mini sat is available?

1 - Best Buy install
2 - X3 receiver but how - BMW dealer will not do it nor would Mini dealer?

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...r+installation

 

This is the answer I got from BMW. I deleted the name and contact number so the poor guy would not get bombarded with calls.

Hello All,

No the X3 harness will not work.

BMW of North America, LLC
Technical Coordinator & MINI Specialist

 

Moots:
May I make a suggestion? Buy yourself a Sportster Replay (the new models are shorter and less bulky.) You can hook it up directly to the AUX port and will get a decent sound. This is going to be your cheapest option and you will be able to use this unit in another car (if you buy an extra mount kit) and in your house if you buy the boom box. You get more for your money this way.

 

Thank you for the input. Any suggestions on mounting - As well I do not want to disrupt the interior. The cubby hole in the center console would be ideal but would require drilling into plastic which I want to avoid.

 

Moots:
I had a guy doing some leg work for me with a mounting option on my S. It seems in the R53's, you could buy some type of kit and you could mount the satellite reciever closer to the head unit and not have it on that suction cup on the windshield. Well he promised me the moon and the stars, told me it would fit on my R56, I'm yet to hear from him. (luckily for me I gave him no money at all) What I did was use the suction cup (I know, it isn't the prettiest thing) and was able to run all of the antenna wire and hide it pretty well. You do see the antenna wire come out from the dash to the bike of the unit, but it doesn't bother me to much. Now the power and the 1/8 aux cable, they bother me. I don't wish to cut into the cars electrical at all right now, so I am using the stock cigarette lighter plug for power and have that running up the right side of the speedo with the aux cable zip tied together. .

 

Can anyone validate the BMW X3 thing? I'd really like to install Sat Radio and have it look factory.

 

Anyone? I'd like to be able to use functions on the wheel

 

I'm with mikeg4572 on this one. Anyone, or any updates?

 

All I can say is that I couldn't bring myself to spend $1,075 through the dealer and to be honest I don't think they install that many, if any on the 07's but maybe I'm wrong. Two weeks ago, I took my Stillito 2 down to best buy to have it installed but very nervous. I took some advice from other people and this is what I did. I made the appointment and kinda interviewed the guy (kid) who was installing. I got a pretty good feel and went for it. We discussed other options and a smaller portable in the cubby below the center stack. I am so glad I didn't go this way. Its way to low to access the radio. So we discussed putting the car kit and bracket just to the right of the stack near the right side AC control, made sure the glove box coud go down, the cup holders are still usable and angled it towards the driver and not in the way of the passenger leg. Paid a little more for the antenna to be placed outside and just behind the shark looking antenna. I can raise the volume but I can't change the channel from the MFSW. I am very pleased and it looks good and its portable so when you release the unit from the car kit, you can't even tell something is there. BTW, the unit is now very small. The only draw back is that the unit and install was probably close to $500.00 maybe a little less but still half the price. The OEM does come with a year of service but for me this is a second receiver and I only pay $7.00 a month which is only $84.00. So $1,075 minus $84.00 is still to much. Now I can take my unit inside and listen to live programming from the internet inside or the internal antenna when outside. I know what your going through so I just made the decision and went with it and have no regrets. If the OEM goes down to half the price at some point, who knows.