XM radio

pi99m3 · #1 (**permalink**) 01-11-2002, 04:08 PM

Has anyone installed this into theircar?

I'm going to go get one. It will be FM modulated until the Blitz cable comes out for the direct headunit connection...

Eric · #2 (**permalink**) 01-11-2002, 04:12 PM

my headunit is capable of it, but i'm waiting until the prices come down to get it. $100 for an antena, and $279 for the modulator? too much.

remember when pagers came out? $20 a month for service, now it's like $4 and the pagers are $39 instead of $200

XM will be the same thing

pi99m3 · #3 (**permalink**) 01-11-2002, 04:17 PM

Yeah but my morning commute sux and I need something to keep my mind sane. ( besides I'm an impatient gadget guy. Part of my job desc. )

Its 299 for the whole thing incl antenna and $10 a month. It wont come down anytime soon til prob 6-9 months... Sirius comes out Feb 14.

r

Todd · #4 (**permalink**) 01-11-2002, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Eric
my headunit is capable of it, but i'm waiting until the prices come down to get it. $100 for an antena, and $279 for the modulator? too much.

remember when pagers came out? $20 a month for service, now it's like $4 and the pagers are $39 instead of $200

XM will be the same thing

It was obvious that pagers were overpriced from day one. The XM unit is complex enough, that I do not see it getting dirt cheap as time goes on. I just installed a Pioneer FM modulated unit last weekend, and the sound quality is awesome for an FM Modulated unit, far better than what the old FM Modulated CD Changers used to be. For $9 a month it is a sweet deal.

pi99m3 · #5 (**permalink**) 01-11-2002, 08:42 PM

Todd,

Where did you mount the antenna? on the trunk or the roof? I'm wondering if the antenna part that lays on the roof can be shortened to about 1" rather than the 6"

Where did you mount the remote unit? After the install I'll be posting pics of the unit as well as the oil gauge and V1 disply setup that I installed. I finally got my CP5000 Digicam!

Wait another month for the Blitz cable to come out and it will plug in between the CD changer and the head unit to act as if the CD changer had a Disc one track 99. It should be a cleaner install and better sounding.

re

Todd · #6 (**permalink**) 01-11-2002, 09:00 PM

I used the Terk Glass Mount antenna, which works awesome, but if I was to do it over again I would probably use the standrard dome style antenna, and try to mount it somewhere on the rear deck. I saw this done on a Mustang recently, and it looked very clean, and seemed to work fine shooting through the rear window. The glass mount antenna is probably the best bet, but has a 10" whip on it. I put this on my GMC Yukon, so it didn't look that out of place, since the truck has such a large window area, but think it would look crazy on a BMW. I will probably try the rear deck option on my M3 when Blitzsafe or Peripheral comes out with an adapter.

pi99m3 · #7 (**permalink**) 01-11-2002, 09:22 PM

hmmm. I never thought of installing it inside the car. I really am not looking forward to installing something permanent on my paint.
I'll install it early next week and see how it goes and pics.

I think that the whip on the new terks are hideous! can you imagine placing that on an M3. It looks like it would be a handle to pick up the car!

re

Todd · #8 (**permalink**) 01-11-2002, 09:29 PM

Yeah, I think mounting it on the paint is ridiculous, and the glass mount looks like the dukes of hazard special, so I hope the rear deck deal works.

pi99m3 · #9 (**permalink**) 01-11-2002, 10:02 PM

todd.....

got bored trying to temporarily install in our truck since I'm not at home with the M. . .

did your antenna have the right connectors on install?

r

pi99m3 · #10 (**permalink**) 01-11-2002, 10:42 PM

Hmmmm....

And it does seem to work from the INSide of the car and INside of the garage in our ML so that puts an end to the cosmetic question.

I still have to get an adapter for the antenna...

r

Todd · #11 (**permalink**) 01-12-2002, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by pi99m3
todd.....

got bored trying to temporarily install in our truck since I'm not at home with the M. . .

did your antenna have the right connectors on install?

r

I had to buy 2 adapters, one to go in the antenna adapter, and one to go out.

pi99m3 · #12 (**permalink**) 01-12-2002, 01:04 AM

Would you happen to have the part numbers? I'd like to order from the dealership so the parts are there when I get in on tuesday.

Thanks

r

Todd · #13 (**permalink**) 01-12-2002, 10:34 AM

I got mine off the shelf from Circuit City, since I was installng in a GMC, it uses pretty standard adapters, for a BMW I would think they would have them, but maybe not. The dealer would not have them, as you are going from a standard american connector, to what ever kind your car has on its end.