Installed Sirius on 04 X5 Nav/DSP/CD Changer

EZDozzit · #1 11-12-2006, 12:04 AM

Picked up the Sirius kit from Bavarian Soundwerks. Installation of the Sirius receiver was a piece of cake. It only took 30 minutes if that. The CD Changer cable, included with the kit, helps integrate the Sirius receiver using a daisy-chain approach. Note I did not install the Sirius receiver in the spare tire compartment as others have done. I piggy-backed mine on top of the CD Changer itself. By the way, the CD Changer can be removed very easily by unscrewing the 4 bolts (1 at each corner) and it just slides out. Mount the Sirius receiver using the velcro tape included with the kit and slide the CD Changer back in. See photos below.

The antenna was a different story since I wanted to mount it inside the spoiler so it's not visible. This instructions article form IFlyX5 was extremely helpful. http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/s...avigation.html

Only difference is that I installed the antenna on the left side of the spoiler and I did not use a metal plate as others recommended. Its location (see pic below) is ideal since the antenna is facing straight up as opposed to being at an angle. The antenna included with the kit has a very low profile and the radio's reception is excellent. Everything works very well with the steering controls and the sound quality is great!

hoop · #2 11-12-2006, 12:45 AM

nice install - two q's though....
i. how much was the kit?
ii. does this just run off of your aux input mode and how do you go to stations etc.? (just read the install link, so nevermind this question!!)

thanks in advance for the answers!

--hoop

EZDozzit · #3 11-12-2006, 03:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoop

nice install - two q's though....
i. how much was the kit?
ii. does this just run off of your aux input mode and how do you go to stations etc.? (just read the install link, so nevermind this question!!)

thanks in advance for the answers!

--hoop

I paid $598 for the www.bavariansoundwerks.com kit which fits 2003+ X5's and includes a 1 year free subscription to Sirius (normally costs approx. $160). It comes with everything you need. If your BMW is from 1996-2002, there's another kit which is less expensive $299.95 but I'm not sure how that one is installed.

You got the scoop on the connection so I won't elaborate. Up front, the driver presses the MODE button on the radio to cycle through Radio, CD, SIRIUS, etc. As with any Sat radio, you select the Category using the radio controls and then select the stations contained within. See screenshots below.

ifly · #4 11-12-2006, 04:15 AM

Congrats, nice write up! Welcome to the world of Sirius in the X!

EZDozzit · #5 11-13-2006, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ifly

Congrats, nice write up! Welcome to the world of Sirius in the X!

Thanks. Now that I have Sirius, don't know how I ever managed without it. It's also installed on my truck but I don't drive it as much as the X for obvious reasons.

hell0 · #6 11-13-2006, 04:19 AM

Do you have a link? I don't see the one you purchased for $598.

yeowzer · #7 11-13-2006, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hell0

Do you have a link? I don't see the one you purchased for $598.

I got mine from Tom at EAS. I highly recommend him.

EZDozzit · #8 11-13-2006, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hell0

Do you have a link? I don't see the one you purchased for $598.

Here's the link again, pointing to the kit which fits my X5.
http://www.bavariansoundwerks.com/pr...I=505/_cid=301

rangerfan · #9 11-13-2006, 11:21 AM

Nice install. I installed the unit under the spare, and now that I think about it, I never should have done that. Your idea is much better. As for the antenna in the spoiler, I had a very bad experience with it and switched to a roof mount antenna. I still get dropouts on the roof, but thath has to do with the area I live in--too many rocks, walls, trees, and hills.

Welcome to the world of Howard 100 and 101.

EZDozzit · #10 11-13-2006, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rangerfan

Nice install. I installed the unit under the spare, and now that I think about it, I never should have done that. Your idea is much better. As for the antenna in the spoiler, I had a very bad experience with it and switched to a roof mount antenna. I still get dropouts on the roof, but thath has to do with the area I live in--too many rocks, walls, trees, and hills.

Welcome to the world of Howard 100 and 101.

Thanks! Actually the antenna which came with the kit is the roof mount version. It has the magnet backing. I used 3M adhesive tape to mount it inside the spoiler. So far, the reception has been excellent. Even when I go under a freeway overpass, it doesn't skip a beat. But then again, Florida is flat so that might have something to do with it.