Question: Best Place to Connect Sirius FM Direct Adapter

[tomconaway]

Greetings All!

I am new to this forum (this is my first post) and I am a neophyte when it comes to car electronics, so please forgive my ignorance. I have been reading here for several days and have found a wealth of advice for which I thank you all.

Now my dilemma. I have a 2004 X5 with a Business CD and no Nav (I know, very boring). I have installed a Sirius Sporster 4 PNP, including the extra long FM transmitter cable, but do not like the sound quality. I am planning on installing the FM direct adapter (or wired FM modulator relay, as some call it). Now I'm just trying trying to determine the best place to locate this new "black box".

I've identified a "gizmo" on the top of the driver-side rear wheel well that has three wires, two are small coax and one is marked "Amp". This gizmo is about two inches wide and labeld as P/N 6 906 070. I believe it is some form of antenna amplifier circuit. With the right antenna adapter cables I could tap into one of the coax terminals on that box. I would then have to run the FM direct adapter unit's cable up to the front of the car to plug into the Sportster unit.

My other option could be to pull the MID and CD and use adapters to plug into the coax terminal on the back of the CD unit. This seems like it would be a lot easier, but I need to know if the coax running into the CD is, indeed, the antenna. Does anyone know if this would work?

I'm not trying to be fancy here - I don't need the Sirius data displayed on the MID, or anything like that (like I said, I'm a neophyte). I would just like some better sound quality.

Thanks for your patience and any advice!

TC

[tomconaway]

As additional information, here is a look at the "gizmo" on the driver-side, rear wheel well
http://www.xoutpost.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1168226078

[Tom G.]

You're much better off using an AUX connection for better audio:

Auxiliary Audio Input - e39/X3/X5 Business CD
http://www.europeanautosource.com/pr...roducts_id=297

This would be the best solution - us or your local BMW dealer will have the AUX kits in stock.

[tomconaway]

Tom G.

I ordered the kit from EAS tonight. This solution will be a little more elegant than I started with, but I should be okay with the install - depending on what I have to do with the pins in the CD connector. But what the heck, its my wife's car...

Thanks,
TC

[Tom G.]

Originally Posted by tomconaway

Tom G.

I ordered the kit from EAS tonight. This solution will be a little more elegant than I started with, but I should be okay with the install - depending on what I have to do with the pins in the CD connector. But what the heck, its my wife's car...

Thanks,
TC

I think you'll be much happier going this route. We're shipping your order tomorrow morning!

[tomconaway]

Tom G.,

I installed the AUX kit this weekend - my first time behind the dash in a long time! The audio quality is MUCH improved. Thanks for the advice!

TC

[Tom G.]

Glad we could help!

[jpnut]

Hey Tom,
I am looking to get sirius on my 2003 X5 3.0I w/o NAV, w/o DSP, and with Business CD, while I searched the boards ad nauseum, my production date is 09.2003, what do I need for Sirius and Bluetooth? Thanks
-Jp

[Tom G.]

Originally Posted by jpnut

Hey Tom,
I am looking to get sirius on my 2003 X5 3.0I w/o NAV, w/o DSP, and with Business CD, while I searched the boards ad nauseum, my production date is 09.2003, what do I need for Sirius and Bluetooth? Thanks
-Jp

Here's a couple of links to what is needed:

Sirius Satellite Radio - e53 X5
http://www.europeanautosource.com/pr...roducts_id=274

BMW Bluetooth Retrofit Kit for e53 X5
http://www.europeanautosource.com/pr...roducts_id=301

Let me know if you need anything else.

[jpnut]

You rule thanks!