Hi Guys,

Just purchased an '08 Mini Convertible. It's pretty much a base model car with the only options being BRG and an automatic transmission. I have been looking at this site for a little while and just recently joined. Looks like there is lots of good info here.

One question I do have is about Sirius radio installation. I pulled the Sirius Sportster from my Explorer I traded on the Mini. I have the original (I believe sportster). The Window sticker on the mini states the radio is sat. ready. So here are my questions.
1. Can the stock antenna on the car be used for sat. radio?
2. Can I just used the Aux. port for the sat input?
3. Anyone have suggestions?

I was hoping to just used the lighter for power, the Aux. port for the input and wanted to see if I could use the factory antenna for have to run the Sportsters antenna. If so, question 4 would be where have people ran them on a convertible.

Pictures of the Unit and of my car are below... Thanks for any help.
Vince

 

1) No, it has its own antenna.
2) Yes, better this way than thru FM radio
3) Routing the antenna wire will be your biggest problem. I mounted the sat. antenna next to am/fm one and routed the wire down its base and into the car.

 

So did you actually use the existing hole into the car the stock antenna uses and if so how hard was that? I would worried about leaks if I removed the stock antenna.

I had the antenna mounted on my explorer in that location and ran the wire in the windshield rubber down to the door jamb and into the car.

 

It wasn't that difficult. I used some windshield putty to make sure the base was waterproof.

 

I just mounted my XM antenna inside on the passenger side next to the windshield on the dash. Works perfectly, and routing the antenna is a no-brainer that way.

 

That may be the easiest for me to do as well. So you just have it sitting on the dashboard inside the car?

Isn't there a mount accessory for these sirius units to replace the large cup holder also?

 

I got a double-stick pad at Autozone and mounted it to the dash by the window. There are a few rare dropouts when heading straight north if my wife sits in the passenger seat blocking the signal south, but that's rare.

You can see it in this picture:




You can see the antenna on the passenger side right by the window. It might work better in the center so the passenger doesn't block the signal, which I plan to try next. But I seldom have a passenger when I'm playing the radio (usually not good for conversation).

You can also see my XM MyFi radio fits nicely in the cup holder, leaning against the cigarette lighter adapter that gives it the power. Looks like a factory install to my eyes when it's installed, and I can take it out and take it into work for my desk. I run an audio cable to the Aux adapter in the glove box.