For those who have SIRIUS radio, Where's the optimum spot for ther antenna ? - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

FAST 5 · 11th April 2005, 08:27

Hi Guys,
Im having the BMW tech do the Sirius radio install on Monday. I spoke with him last week and he mentioned to me that, according to the installation guide/instructions from BMW, it tells the BMW tech to mount the antenna on the trunk of the car. YUK !!!!!!!!!!!

I DO NOT wish to have it mounted on my car's trunk! So...
Based on this, what's the consensus for the mounting of the antenna? Where is the best or optimum location to put the Sirius antenna??? Obviously Im looking to have the strongest signal possible, aside from the "on top of the trunk" location.
Thanks Guys!

///M_Addict · 11th April 2005, 14:58

Good question! I have for the time being mounted mine under the rear parcel shelf next to the GPS receiver. I will wait till all the leaves are out to make a final determination as I don't know how the foliage will affect reception. I just checked my copy of the BMW Sirius Receiver Installation Kit for e39s 9/02 on, dated March 2003 and in the list of parts it lists only the Roof antenna kit. You can find the BMW Antenna install instructions that include e39s here in the Stereo section as item #29. It seems to me the best reception would be from an antenna on the roof. The downsides are the looks and need to avoid knocking it off when cleaning the car.

My $0.02 and Good Luck with your choice!
Dave

1badm5 · 11th April 2005, 16:58

Excellent question! Considering this is part of what I do for a living I will share my experience (s). I have moved my antenna 3-times now (I think?). Keep in mind, I have been searching for the best install......

1st install: Trunk-lid mounted (exterior of car). Scratches the paint when car is washed...DON'T DO THIS INSTALL. As a matter-of-fact, don't install the antenna on your cars exterior (painted) surfaces.......period! No, need....read on!

The 2nd & 3rd installs were done INSIDE the cabin.

2nd install: under the dash panel (removed the TOP panel nearest the front windshied....actually on top of the dash....make sence?). We have done this install on various vehicles with mixed results. The nice thing about this install is it is STEALTH. The draw-back it sometimes results in poor reception...as is the case with the M5.

3rd install: Mounted directly on top of the dash (pushed all the way next to the windshield, then a "dot" of clear silicone to keep it from moving). The result is excellent reception & no paint scratches & the antenna wire is not visible. The draw-back is it is the antenna is visible..anthough not overly noticable.

I think the ideal placement would be INSIDE the car on top of the rear deck shelf (not visible to the driver/passengers and easier install because the antenna wire doesn't have to be run as far as the front windshield install. But, it will not work if you have METALIZED window film..

.

The things to remember are:
A) The antenna must have a direct view to the sky (remember it CAN "see through" your front or rear winshield (not through metalized window film though).
b) Don't let anybody put this antenna on your exterior (painted) surface...it WILL eventually scratch the paint, and weather conditions are much harsher and detrimental to the life (and apperance!) of the antenna!
Robert

FAST 5 · 11th April 2005, 17:04

Thanks so much for your reply!
I'll have the BMW tech mount the antenna at the rear deck shelf area, as you mentioned in your reply.
Thanks again.
Robert

boostmiser · 11th April 2005, 17:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1badm5

b) Don't let anybody put this antenna on your exterior (painted) surface...it WILL eventually scratch the paint, and weather conditions are much harsher and detrimental to the life (and apperance!) of the antenna!
Robert

I can vouch for this. I had the antenna (Terk XM3) mounted on the trunk of my previous car. Suprisingly it was not that bad looking because of it's low profile. However, it did leave an impression in the paint. I was able to buff out most of it. The paint was ruined on one because of the way the anetenna was angled into the paint. Live and learn.

mottati · 11th April 2005, 19:14

I used double sided tape to mount mine on my roof. I figured the magnetic mount would scratch up the paint with movement etc.

I initially mounted mine (actually, just placed it) on top of the parcel shelf, temporarily, but lost reception constantly. Every tree i drove under, i'd loose the signal. My reception has been much better with it on the roof. It will depend on your area of course.
Mike

5driver · 11th April 2005, 19:45

Well, I'll chime in, too. I had my Sirius installed 6 days ago. The dealer used the roof mount. The magnet seems pretty strong thereby reducing the risk of movement and, therefore, scratching. But, there's no guarantee. When you wash the car, you simply lift the antenna up. No hassle, no sweatn. The advantage is, obviously, that an exterior mount results in the best reception.

Now, another option, in one of the many posts on this matter, the writer mentioned that Nissan is selling an interior glass mounted antenna, presumably for the rear window but perhaps suitable for the front, too. It's Nissan P/N 999U9-VR002, the Sirius Sigma Interior Glass Mount Antenna, priced at $74.

I am going to a Nissan dealer this pm to check it out and will relay my impressions. In any event it could be an attractive option. 5 Driver

CBM5 · 11th April 2005, 21:39

My friend at a Nissan dealer told me that antenna only works on the front windshield. He said it will not work on the rear because of the electric defroster.

5driver · 11th April 2005, 22:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBM5

My friend at a Nissan dealer told me that antenna only works on the front windshield. He said it will not work on the rear because of the electric defroster.

I checked out the Sigma interior glass mount antenna offered by Nissan this pm. Because the kit contained no instructions, I cannot respond to CBM5's comment above. His friend's input is not unreasonable.

The unit is not very aesthetically pleasing. It's a tetrhedron with the long parallel side about 6", the short parallel side about 3 3/4" and the width between the two parallel sides about 4 1/2". Its thickness is about 2 1/4". It's made of plastic and really looks it. There are three adhesive spots to secure it to the glass.

The connecting cable looks about 90% certain to simply plug into my BMW Sirius receiver. The missing 10% is due to the fact that I couldn't unplug my antenna wire to comfirm compatibility. It's a small awkward, i.e., not finger friendly, connection.

This thing is made by Clarion and carried a part no. of 73824 and came with a splitter P/N 73807 [preceded by "PAM 101400']. A crusory che k of Clarion's website couldn't bring either of the up. There is a Clarion SA150 listed but no picture or description was included. It listed for $49.95.

For now, I'm sticking with my BMW/Sirius antenna with the magnetic roof mount. 5 Driver

El_Mono · 12th April 2005, 03:25

I installed my antenna on the rear parcel shelf. It is attached to the plastic tab that is around the center child seat anchor point. You can't see it from in the car, and there is no damage to my paint. The reception is a little worse than my wifes SUV, which has it attached to the roof, but it RARELY cuts out.

If you don't have the rear sunshade, you can do it completely stealth underneath the parcel shelf. If you are like me, just park it right on top.

While I appreciate these threads, this has been talked to *****. Please use the search function.