I just picked up my new 330 & it has Sat pre-wire. I took this car rather than wait 8-10 weeks for one with Sat. The dealer wants $595 + 250 to install the Sirius. Lotta cash, especially now that I have ipod capability but I think I'll still do it for the footabll games. Anyone have this upgrade installed? And does it give me another goofball fin on the car? That, I think, would be a deal killer. One other question, do I have to get the bmw dock plate if I upgrade to a bluetooth phone? Thanks in advance.

I really wonder what the "installation" consists of...seems like it should be something you'd be able to do yourself with the right parts...

have you not seen the satellite radio install PDF?
it's a cinch...
-e-
ps: the full on satellite install does not add any more apparatus to the roof.

have you not seen the satellite radio install PDF?
it's a cinch...
-e-


Where?

I really wonder what the "installation" consists of...seems like it should be something you'd be able to do yourself with the right parts...
You can but you cant code the vehicle the dealer has to do it and at this point they have to get a modified vehicle order from technical assistance to do it. So be prepared to leave your car to get it coded correctly. The install itself just involves plugging the thing in and bolting it to the floor.

Where do I find this? Thanks in advance.

Where do I find this? Thanks in advance.

This is for the E46.
http://www.bmwmotorsports.org/pdf/sirius_install_instructions.pdf

You can but you cant code the vehicle the dealer has to do it and at this point they have to get a modified vehicle order from technical assistance to do it. So be prepared to leave your car to get it coded correctly. The install itself just involves plugging the thing in and bolting it to the floor.


Correct, but it is a bit more involved than just plugging it in. You have to remove the left rear seat back bolster to acess the fiber optic junction point to connect the sat reciever to the MOST Bus.

I would bet that most dealers would be hesitant to retrofit and code a vehicle that a customer has installed a part in. I know I would be.

This is for the E46.
http://www.bmwmotorsports.org/pdf/sirius_install_instructions.pdf


Ended up answering my own question, here's the install instructions for the E90.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1915

Ended up answering my own question, here's the install instructions for the E90.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1915

This post says it will only take 1 hour for a BMW tech to install the sat kit. So unless your dealer has a $250/hour labor rate, seems like they are overcharging you. Here, even if they charged you double at 2 hours labor, it would still only be $162. Sounds like they didn't make much money on the sale of the car and now they are trying to get some back with the accessory install. That's my 2 cents.

You can but you cant code the vehicle the dealer has to do it and at this point they have to get a modified vehicle order from technical assistance to do it. So be prepared to leave your car to get it coded correctly. The install itself just involves plugging the thing in and bolting it to the floor.

That's BS. There is no "coding involved." I have a 2004 X3 and that .pdf is almost the same as mine. Don't pay to get that BS installed. I did mine myself. It's easy. Since you already have the pre-wire, the antenna is already in the shark fin if you have a shark fin. The X3 comes with an antenna in the fin. Mine wasn't a pre-wire, so I had to manually run an antenna on the roof. That was a pain in the ass. Once you follow the diagram of the install, you get the sirius esn code from the headunit or the esn sticker thats underneath the bmw sirius unit. You call sirius yourself and activate it. BMW doesn't have to do it. Buy the sirius tuner from www.circlebmw.com or pacificbmw.com and not your stealer unless they are willing to pricematch it.

http://www.circlebmw.com/parts/sirius/sirius.htm

$425 at circle.

Had it installed. The labor rate came down to $125 + $495 for the radio & $33.74 for a retrofit kit. Sounds great after they took it back apart to find the ESN.

That's BS. There is no "coding involved." I have a 2004 X3 and that .pdf is almost the same as mine. Don't pay to get that BS installed.


You need to get your info straight before you speak. The E90 does in fact need to be coded for the Sat. receiver, alarm, or any other electronic add on accessory.

The electrical systems of the new E90 have little in common with an E83. When you hooked up your sat. did you have to plug the fiber optic connector to the MOST bus connection? No, maybe that's because the X3 doesn't have it. Comparing an X3 to an E90 is like comparing an X5 to an E60, totally different cars.

Correct, but it is a bit more involved than just plugging it in. You have to remove the left rear seat back bolster to acess the fiber optic junction point to connect the sat reciever to the MOST Bus.

I would bet that most dealers would be hesitant to retrofit and code a vehicle that a customer has installed a part in. I know I would be.
yeah but even that is a nothing thing to do... the layout is with the instructions and the bolster comes right out if you have the folding seats. If you have one seat its a little harder to get out but not much.

That's BS. There is no "coding involved." I have a 2004 X3 and that .pdf is almost the same as mine. Don't pay to get that BS installed. I did mine myself. It's easy. Since you already have the pre-wire, the antenna is already in the shark fin if you have a shark fin. The X3 comes with an antenna in the fin. Mine wasn't a pre-wire, so I had to manually run an antenna on the roof. That was a pain in the ass. Once you follow the diagram of the install, you get the sirius esn code from the headunit or the esn sticker thats underneath the bmw sirius unit. You call sirius yourself and activate it. BMW doesn't have to do it. Buy the sirius tuner from www.circlebmw.com or pacificbmw.com and not your stealer unless they are willing to pricematch it.

http://www.circlebmw.com/parts/sirius/sirius.htm

$425 at circle.
sorry an x3 is not an e90. right now it can only be coded at the dealer and with some difficulty because tech line is manually rewriting the vo number and sending it to by email.