Need help finding correct Sirius XM Module for 2005 X5

[SoonerBred1963]

So I am trying to buy a BMW Sirius XM module for my 2005 X5. There are quire a few available, but none locally that I could just try and plug into my car to see if it works, so I would be ordering it online. The trouble is I cannot figure out which one to order. Obviously, one that says it came from a 2005 X5 should work, but there are several different part numbers. So it seems, and I may not be correct, but even if I order one that came out of a 2005 X5 it may not be the right part number.

I have called 2 BMW dealerships and they both said that year did not have Sirius XM modules, which I think is totally incorrect, there is an actual slot for the BMW XM module, and there are a ton out there from same year cars. Nonetheless, 2 dealerships were unable to give me a part number for a module.

I have thought about a head unit swap, that would fix the navigation problem (I get disk errors when I try to start the navigation), and a lot of the units dont have AM, and most all of the units do not have Sirius XM. So what my plan was to use my tablet for navigation, buy a Sirius XM module, and I would be good to go.

Any body that has been down this road and could help, any help would be appreciated.

Thanks, RTW

[Lowblock]

They are most likely telling you there was no "siriusxm" module because it wasnt SiriusXM until after 2008 that is when the merger took place and it took abit of time for the modules to roll out. I have done quite a few installs like these and as far as I know there were only 2 types of modules that came in the e53 for satellite radio. All of them were sirius and the only difference were the antenna connections to the module itself. The early modules had 2 antenna inputs (1 terrestrial and one satellite) and the later ones only had 1 input. IIRC they both worked the exact same and even if you only used the satellite antenna on the earlier module it would still work. There were also a couple different cables that you had to use to connect to the HU depending on how your vehicle was configured, that was the most difficult part as the harness was getting harder and harder to find. The last time I checked bimmernav was still selling sirius kits for the E53, they were expensive but they worked out the box, you might wasnt to just check them out. As far as getting a used satellite module, any from an e53 will work.

[SoonerBred1963]

Hey thank you so much. I remember when I got my first XM portable unit, it did have two inputs for antennas and one was for the terrestrial, although supposedly that was going to be for urban areas because they thought they would block the signals. I have heard that the CD changer is the same cable, and I have the CD Changer, so I am going to give it a try. Thanks again.

[Lowblock]

Im pretty sure that the CD changer cable and the Sirius cable are different. IIRC it was easier putting sirius in when the car was optioned with the changer however. i would check out bimmernav, they may even have the cable you need.

Yes, both systems had 2 antenna inputs and your correct about the terrestrial side of things. Sirius started installing repeaters in large citys, But when XM made it to market first they figured out it wasnt needed. Although XM came out first, Sirius was actually the first to develop the hardware.