So I wash my Clubman this afternoon and while washing the windows I noticed the passenger rear side window doesn’t have the defrost wires. I knew the driver’s side rear did.

Anyone else have this? I don’t understand why one side and why the driver’s side. It would be hard for me to look over my shoulder enough to see out that window. Seems like it would be the passenger side.

 

I am unaware of any car made for the US that has side defrost windows, although if they made it I would buy it, given where I live.

 

those wires are the FM radio antennna, if memory serves me correctly.

 

The wires in the side window are part of the radio antenna system. The roof antenna and the side window antenna connect to a diversity antenna amplifier and then on to the radio.

 

Yes the wire in the glass is an antenna, not defrost.

 

Well, I learned something new. It certainly looks like defrost. I thought since it was on the left it may be for the British drivers.

 

It's not a wire as such. It is silkscreened on and is a mixture of ground glass and silver particles. The ground glass provides a protective layer when it is fused after going through a furnace.

There is circuitry that analyzes the signals from the roof and side antennas and switches back and forth at a high rate to use the better one.

 

The things I learn by reading these forums!!!!!!! Thanks did not know that bit of information.

 

Stick with me, kid...

 

I've been waiting for some answers on those wires. Great information! I have another question though. I've been told that the one in the window is for FM reception and that the one on the roof is for AM reception. I am thinking of installing a "stubby" but I don't want to adversely affect the range of the FM reception. I could care less about AM. Can't remember the last time that I even listened to it. So my question is will the window antenna be adequate?

 

Back in the day, Diversity Antennae were for FM. FM tends to be more directional. In other words, you could go around a corner and lose most of your signal. Don't know how things have evolved in more recent times. I have no idea what BMW/MINI have done with their antenna, but my guess might be that the stick is for AM and the FM can choose between the stick and the side window. Purely my guess, though. Note that I am a machinery and manufacturing guy. What I have mentioned is what I learned from the electronics guys that I used to work with.

From what I have seen on advertisements for the stubbies is that some point out a possible loss in reception quality where others don't mention it at all. Makes you wonder...

 

I took off the roof antenna and while stationary, the AM reception dropped off to nearly nothing however the FM band continued to work fine. Have not tried while moving.