Satellite Prep

[joeydosh]

Can someone splain to me what this means? :dunno:
Thanks!

[Liverman]

It is the wiring for satellite radio (Sirius) between the head unit in the dash, the location where the satellite receiver goes in the rear and the antenna on the roof. If you don't order the satellite prep, then the BMW satellite radio units (that work seamlessly with the audio system) cannot be installed no how, no way (as I understand it from reading the material available on the web). See http://www.bmwmotorsports.org/pdf/x3_sirius_install.pdf

You could probably add an aftermarket sat radio unit from someplace like Crutchfield that used an FM radio hookup or the AUX input (with separate controls, of course).

Greg

[joeydosh]

So, if the vehicle I purchased has the prep work what would I need to do in order to have satellite radio? Do I have to purchase a different radio and sub to service?

[Liverman]

So, if the vehicle I purchased has the prep work what would I need to do in order to have satellite radio? Do I have to purchase a different radio and sub to service?
You would need to order the Sirius Receiver (84-11-0-153-365) and an istallation kit (84-11-0-390-240 if you have no Nav or 84-11-0-390-943 if you have Nav).

See this from Pacific BMW (http://www.pacificbmw.com/new/parts/frame2.asp?prodid=1503&modelid=532). This is my source of info...I have not actually done this my self, but I had the same question as you and this is what my research turned up.

Again, I do not know what it would or would not take to add another brand of Sirius receiver or if non-BMW receivers would even work.


Greg

[joeydosh]

Thanks, Greg - I will check it out. Appreciate the info!

[DeanQ]

See my thread.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=102081

Just to clarify in order to have all the functions of the steering wheel to change stations and being able to save 18 sirius stations on the radio you will need to use a BMW sirius receiver. A aftermarket sirius receiver will not work with tha factory headunit. There is a device called a soundgate that lets you use a aftermarket sirius tuner with that factory radio but it is not worth it. The bmw radio will see the sirius receiver as a cd changer and you cant see any info like station name, artist or song title and you can't save any station presets and it's slow to scroll through all of 184 stations.

The best bet is to buy a bmw sirius receiver.