XMRadio - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

gman · 15th February 2002, 18:22

I was wondering if anyone has put XMRadio in their Beast. If so, what equiptment did you get and how did you install it? Is it worth it?

For those of you that are unfamiliar, XMRadio is satellite radio for direct broadcast to your car. No commercials and continous music - very similar to the the 800's on DirecTV. You can check out there web site www.xmradio.com.

Well, thanks in advance.

g

Jacob Lee · 15th February 2002, 20:19

i'm almost positive there was just a recent thread about this;

bmw is supposed to be coming out with an installable add-on unit with the Sirius service; someone said Q2 of 2002?

my parts guy had no idea what the hell i was talking about, so i'm just waiting till this summer and see what comes out.

gman · 15th February 2002, 20:21

Jacob,

Thanks, I will keep my ears open. If you hear of anything else, please let me know or post.

Again, much appreciated.

g

crmcinco · 25th February 2002, 22:10

I just had XM-Radio installed in my M5. I used the Pioneer GEX-FM903XM Tuner and the Terk TRK-SR1 glass mount antenna. I had to fabricate my own antenna adaptor with the following parts from Digikey:

A4023-ND Plug
A24695-ND Receptacle
9178B 50 ohn Coax cable

- the tuner fits behind the CD changer
- the display with the tuning buttons, etc. is double sided taped to the trim part of the dash, to the left of the steering wheel
- the antenna is on the back windsheild.

Total installed price not including the Digikey parts was $470.00.

Impressions:

I live in the mountains of W. North Carolina, bottom line there are no decent radion stations, so XM Radio is a God-Send. The sound quality is not as good as CDs, because it is FM modulated, but it is as good as FM - of course.

I insisted that the whole installation be easily removable so if and when BMW offers a Sirius upgrade to our cars I can put this unit in the Mini-Van.

Thanks,

Carlos

lane190597 · 25th February 2002, 22:19

I have XM in my car and i don't listen to FM at all anymore, it is awesome. I had the local stero guy do it and it's the best. I used the pioneer unit and mounted my antenna on the decklid behind the rear headrests.

crmcinco · 25th February 2002, 23:05

I'm surprised you installed XM, living in the NYC area, there are so many radio stations to choose from.

What frequency are you using to receive the XM on your radio? I am using 89.1

Thanks,

Carlos

BarryC · 26th February 2002, 04:52

Carlos - thanks for the info. I've been wanting to put XM on my car too. Several of my friends have it and are very pleased. As far as XM vs. Sirius - the fight for market share ought to be interesting. XM is here first and I understand that Sirius is having some technical problems. I think their satellite config is more complex than XM's and so I'm not sure about they will be able to compete on quality of reception. They are also going to cost more on the monthly fees but will be totally commercial free.

I've seen XM's business plan and they really seem to have their act together. I just wonder if BMW has made the wrong choice with whom to partner. I've heard comments along the lines of "VHS vs. Betamax" type of competition. In any event, only time will tell.

(I am in no way associated with XM so I'm not plugging anything here. Just a lowly accountant expressing views on an interesting marketing and technical phenomena)

gman · 26th February 2002, 18:31

Carlos, Barry and Jacob:

Thanks for the info. If it is only a few months away, I think I will wait for the BMW upgrade. The last thing that i need is additional wires and equiptment in my car and I would rather have it all integrated through the main display unit of the car if this is not far off.

Does anyone know when this is planned? Q2 is around the corner but if Sirius is having problems how long till this becomes a reality.

thanks again,

g

crmcinco · 26th February 2002, 21:12

Gary -

I agree with you it would be much better if it were integrated with the car's radio. That is why I insisted on the XM Radio installation being done in such a fashion that it could be removed easily and installed elsewhere - then I could do the Sirius upgrade. But, you can rest assured, if and when the upgrade becomes available it'll be a lot more than $470.00!

When I get a chance I'll take pictures of the intall.

Thanks,

Carlos

gman · 26th February 2002, 21:18

Carlos,

Sounds like you have a good plan. Thanks and I look forward to the photos.

G