[KL2DC]

RLC: I believe that might be the cable they use to monitor/condition the car battery on the trip over and while at storage/VPC/VDC/POE.

I just stumbled onto this thread and wow! A lot of useful information. I do have one question, in cars with the Sirius module already installed, is it possible to share access to the shark fin via some sort of splitter (in the trunk right where the wire goes into the Sirius module) in order to accomodate an XM setup (as described by RLC and earlier posts) as well (myfi or XM roady 2/XT etc). Does that make sense, sorry I do not have the technical jargon...

I just miss my XM so much (have it in my Honda) ... it would be nice to have both setups plus the ipod set-up Thanks.

[steve40704]

rlc, would love to see some final setup pics. i am nervous about pulling apart the center console. sharing the antenna?.. who knows. both sirius and xm sell short splitters w/ an amp. my first attempt to hook into the fin was with a splitter since i didnt want to mess up any of the original wiring. give it a shot and let us know-

[rlc]

Originally Posted by steve40704

rlc, would love to see some final setup pics. i am nervous about pulling apart the center console. sharing the antenna?.. who knows. both sirius and xm sell short splitters w/ an amp. my first attempt to hook into the fin was with a splitter since i didnt want to mess up any of the original wiring. give it a shot and let us know-

Steve,

I did not have to pull apart anything on the center console. At the base of the console (between the console and the right seat I simply pulled on the plastic enough to get space (between the plasic and carpet) to feed the small cable up into the cavity under the console compartment. It was very simple. I ran the entire cable in about ten minutes, including pulling up and replacing the rear seat bottom. I'm traveling now, when I get home I'll post some pictures.

KL2DC,

I don't know about splitting the antenna lead - obviously if you did it you would have make sure the Sirius tuner was off when you were using XM. I'm not sure how you would power off the Sirius and not the entire stereo. If you want to have both XM and Sirius why not just place the XM antenna on the rear deck or dash and then run the cable to the center console as I described?

[KL2DC]

RLC: Good points...Thanks, was being too ambitious in my suppositions.

[steve40704]

thx, didnt realize it wasnt sealed to the floor. i took a look and it will be no trouble-

[gilport]

Originally Posted by Chuck_IV

I just went to the Audiovox website and clidked the "Contact Us" link from the "Customer Service" menu, on the left. Then clicked on FAQ and then the "Ask a Question" tab, at the top and filled in the product number and asked away.

I was just on the Audiovox website and it seems they have removed the the link to the Mercedes/BMW XM Direct adapter. BLASTED!

[Chuck_IV]

Originally Posted by gilport

I was just on the Audiovox website and it seems they have removed the the link to the Mercedes/BMW XM Direct adapter. BLASTED!

I see that, although I'm not sure if it's that they removed it or their lookup is just having issues right now.

I'd also post on Blitzsafe's forums asking about it(since they made the one for the E46). A thread asking about it, was last responded to in February. They say they don't have a date either, but that BMW adapters are their best selling, so they will be supporting it.

We'll see, as I've been looking for any type of even just an RCA plug adapter for my CAN bus 2004 Dodge Durango and they still haven't come out with anything, even tho pretty almost all Chryslers, Dodges and Jeeps are using that bus type, I believe.

[steve40704]

I was just on the Audiovox website and it seems they have removed the the link to the Mercedes/BMW XM Direct adapter. BLASTED!

Wow, thats tough. I have checked that page every day for months.. the next best thing would be the XMDRDS100. at least that gives song/artist/channel info..

[Chuck_IV]

Originally Posted by steve40704

Wow, thats tough. I have checked that page every day for months.. the next best thing would be the XMDRDS100. at least that gives song/artist/channel info..

Yea, the adapter is completely gone now. Looks like their techies couldn't make it work and gave up, so they took the easy way out and just removed it. Pretty sad, if you ask me.

I guess we should focus on Blitzsafe then and hopefully they will come out with an adapter interface for the MOST bus, like they did for the E46.

[steve40704]

Audi uses the MOST specification and I believe they offer XM & SIRIUS. From what I have read about MOST, it is a pretty straight-forward and flexible language. I wonder if using an Audi receiver would be any more difficult than just matching the voltage.. anyone have one in their other vehicle that could give it a shot?..

[rlc]

Finally got a chance to work with the XM receiver setup and take some pictures. I originally was using my MyFi but my wife decided she wanted it for her Volvo, so I picked up a Roady XT ($49) and it really works out better since it is much smaller than the MyFi.

I did not change anything regarding the antenna cable connection to the shark fin lead in the truck. Just to recap here is how I set up my center console.

Radio Shack Dual 12v plug (for the iPod and Roady XT)
Monster iPod charger/adapter
20' XM extension cable (routed to the trunk, see previous post)
Mini Stereo jack for the iPod audio connection.
ABT Tech iJet RF Remote controller for iPod (painted the Remote Barrique Red) http://www.abtech2.com/iJet.php
XM Roady XT in Car Cradle using FM output to the Logic 7
Small Gel Pad sticky (Protects the Aluminum and keeps the Roady from sliding around).

I put the small piece of sticky pad just in front of the console armrest. The Roady is mostly held in place by the cables coming out of the console compartment when the compartment is closed. The sticky pad just keeps it from sliding around. I didn't want to permanently secure the Roady. I can easily move it back into the compartment. Also, the sticky pad helps protect the brushed aluminum from scratches.

I am very happy with this setup. It allows me to easily control the XM tuner and read the display, but is still non-permanent so I can hide it all in the Center Console compartment. The iJet remote is really nice. I like it because it is smaller than the Griffin model and has a very strong RF signal. And the best thing is I get to use the shark fin antenna and don't have any cable visible.

This is a pretty inexpensive way to get XM in your e90. I already had an XM account so activation of the new receiver was $9.99 plus $6.99/month. Other costs for this setup.....

Antenna extension $25 Shipped
iJet Remote $20 on sale @ Radio Shack
Dual 12v outlet $8
Roady XT $49 including Car Kit.
Sticky Pad $5

Thanks again to Steve40704 for the tip...

[gilport]

OK, so while I wait for the Terk Mercedes/BMW adapter...this set up will have to do. I just went over to Target and got myself the new Sportscaster for $59.99. It is exactly what I need (for now). It is very simple and VERY small. It actually looks pretty good. I am thinking of perhaps having it inside the ashtray though (ive seen several of these setups). Project time! For now, this is what I did.

[quickcanuck]

Thanks to all for the very useful info in this thread, I'm planning on using my XM Roady in my E91 in a similar arrangement as the pics above, once my cable extension arrives.

I tore up the floor of the wagon to find the antenna connection, and things looka bit different than on the sedan (pics below). There are 4 differently colored antenna connectors, none of which look like the pair you guys have used. Anyone done this for a wagon yet?

If not, I guess we'll try them all (once the cable arrives...)

[steve40704]

All of the antennas bundled w/ the big white piece would connect to the motorola bluetooth/telecom/nav controller. The other pink antenna lead bundled w/ the black MOST connector looks the same minus one. I would guess they didnt include an antenna for terrestrial repeaters for some reason. Hook right up to the regular sat antenna and you should be good to go. When was your car manufactured?

[quickcanuck]

Originally Posted by steve40704

When was your car manufactured?

March 06 - just took delivery. Wonder if this changed with the "new" Sirius design...

[gilport]

Originally Posted by gilport

... I am thinking of perhaps having it inside the ashtray though (ive seen several of these setups). Project time!....

...and here it is.

[rlc]

Looks great, very nice job.

Is that unit just laying in there or attached?

Did you modify the ashtray compartment or install the sunglass tray accessory?

How is the power connected to the ashtray outlet?

[gilport]

Originally Posted by rlc

Looks great, very nice job.

Is that unit just laying in there or attached?

It really is just laying there. I did attach some velcro on the bottom so the XM unit would not move as much as it did when I tried to change the station.

Originally Posted by rlc

Did you modify the ashtray compartment or install the sunglass tray accessory?

I installed the sunglass tray to be able and have the unit fit.

Originally Posted by rlc

How is the power connected to the ashtray outlet?

I didnt use the cigarette lighter from the asshtray, once you remove the ashtray with cigarette lighter, you lose that power source.The sunglass tray actually has some small holes underneath it, so I was able to run all the wiring under the center console all the way to the armrest storage and connected the power and the AUX in threw there. Since I had to remove the whole center console thing to install the ashtray, I killed two birds with one stone.

[rlc]

Thanks for the info.

I copied your install, and like it better than the one I posted above for the Roady XT.

[Tad28]

I want to get at the antenna connection which is beneath the back of my wagon as shown in quickcanuck's post above. I've never taken apart the interior of a car.

How do you remove the black, plastic fasteners holding down the inserts in the back? And, having removed them, can they be reused or do you have to buy new ones?

Any other tips on taking apart the back would be appreciated.

[dmeyer]

Hey guys...my stock setup seems to look a bit different than the ones here. This is on a new 335i sedan under the trunk. I have the sharkfin and the dealer said sat prep was standard on all 07s. I do not have the sirius option installed.

I am looking at getting my Sirius sportster to use the sharkfin antennae so I don't have to drop a ton of cash on the box + install.

Which cable do I use to extend? What is this silver box (havent seen it in others pics).

[rlc]

Originally Posted by dmeyer

Which cable do I use to extend? What is this silver box (havent seen it in others pics).

I think the box is the communications module for BMW assist, cell phone, etc. (just a guess).

Here are a couple of pictures that explain my connection. I can't tell in your photos if there is a small cloth wrapped bundle in your trunk or not. In my picture you can see the wires for the antenna connection split off of the wire bundle near the center of the trunk and are in a cloth wrap. If you don't have any connectors split out it may be that the connectors are secured into the wire bundle with some tape. As you can see, the connector is purple in color. You will plug into only one side of the connector as shown. If the connection doesn't work, be sure to try the other plug in the connector before pulling your hair out