Shark Fin Aerial

[bmwboyi8]

My 1 series coupe didn't come with one which I'm pretty gutted about to be honest as I thought it added a little finesse. Anyone know the reason for this? I thought it was standard on all models but obviously not!

[clived]

I'd always thought (i.e. assumed to be honest!) that it was the GPS antenna for the sat nav, so maybe no OEM nav = no shark fin?

[123D-M]

It's the navigation and DAB radio antenna. If you don't have those options then you don't get the antenna.

[bmwboyi8]

I had a feeling it was something to do with that. Oh well! Thanks for clearing that up for me.

[Taymaishu]

Interesting - the Shark Fin comes standard on all coupes and hatches here in Australia - it acts as the radio receiver. They have a 'whip' antenna for the convertibles.

[bmwboyi8]

It will have something to do with the fact that Australia is such a big country, especially in comparison to the UK and there are very remote places which you would struggle to get any sort of reception if you didn't have an aerial such as the shark fin.

[BrokenVert]

Originally Posted by Taymaishu

Interesting - the Shark Fin comes standard on all coupes and hatches here in Australia - it acts as the radio receiver. They have a 'whip' antenna for the convertibles.

The joke is tho that if you have a vert with sat nav or BMMW assist than you get a small shark fin on your boot lid in addition to the whip.

[moff]

Not sure why the desire for a sharkfin, spoils the line IMO.

[washy]

Our 125i has the shark fin and we dont have DAB or sat nav

[Taymaishu]

Originally Posted by nr7489

It will have something to do with the fact that Australia is such a big country, especially in comparison to the UK and there are very remote places which you would struggle to get any sort of reception if you didn't have an aerial such as the shark fin.

I would argue it's because we drive ridiculous distances and the shark fin fits into the "BMW Efficient Dynamics" philosophy a lot better

[BMW86]

I've been told the shark fin is the equivalent of about 3whp due to it's aerodynamic design

[Taymaishu]

It could also be due to the Coriolis effect; perhaps the sharkfin gives us extra stability when driving as we live in the Southern Hemisphere?

I wouldn't be surprised if a dealer tried that one on.

[bmwboyi8]

Originally Posted by washy

Our 125i has the shark fin and we dont have DAB or sat nav

I wonder if it's something to do with the engine size, you have the 125 whereas I only have the 118. The bigger the engine the more 'goodies' you'll get as standard probably!

[E92BSM10]

It is there if you have bluetooth conectivity

[x5mad]

Seems to be no set pattern to this. I have 135 vert with sat nav and Bluetooth but no shark fin attena.

[sprainedmind]

I've got a shark fin in my 123d coupe. No Nav or DAB, but I do have BT.

Who knows

[privatepaul12345]

Have you had a look at babybmw.net as there are quite a few threads and discussions on there about this and where to obtain one and self fit?

[Lester]

Originally Posted by Taymaishu

Interesting - the Shark Fin comes standard on all coupes and hatches here in Australia - it acts as the radio receiver. They have a 'whip' antenna for the convertibles.

Your radio antennae is located on the coupe rear window, the upper wire grid is radio antenna, the lower wire grid is the rear window defroster. The vert has a folding window and the anteanna is not integrated hence the need for a whip.

The Shark Fin is for GPS, Sat Radio and BMW assist cellular connection. Bluetooth is not from the Shark Fin, it is built into the radio head.

[kyle uk]

Hi my first post

I recieved my new coupe on the 8th of Jan and was annoyed that I didn't have a shark fin, I did enquire and the Sales man told me that you only get a fin with bluetooth.

Assuming that he knows his stuff, I hope this answers your question.

[b1g1an]

Nearly...it's if you have bluetooth with telephone prep as it is the aerial that connects to the phone holder under the arm rest. If you have bluetooth without the holder you get no fin.