Sirius satellite on a 2005 X5 4.8is?

[Mylo_T_Cat]

New to the site, and have searched and found several threads indicating it is possible to add the Sirius satellite receiver to an X5 with NAV & DSP. So far so good, because BMW customer support says it can't be done (their reply to my email to the "Contact Us" link on the BMW web site). One of the threads motivated me to call Pacific BMW and Circle BMW. Now I'm getting two different stories: the person at Pacific said it can't be done if I have a cassette, while the person at Circle said it could. Can anyone verify that they have added Sirius to a 4.8is with NAV, DSP and cassette?

By the way, who at BMW thought putting a cassette player into a 21st century $73,000 vehicle, and not offering audio upgrade options, was a good idea???

Thanks in advance for any help/clarification,
Dave
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2005 4.8is
2002 Vette

[silkster]

here is a link to someone who did it on a 2003 x5, so it can be done . I did mine a 2001 X5.
Since you have a 2005 X5 your radio tuner should already be sirius ready. if you don't have nav make sure you ask for the sirius for receiver for x5 w/o nav.
I would call the folks at CREVIER BMW and ask for Vahey
714-835-3171

http://www.xoutpost.com/articles.php?...icle&artid=197

[el_duderino]

We just did an audio upgrade to a 2005 X5 with Nav and Cassette and "DSP".

It had dealer-installed Sirius.

The menu read "DSP" on the Nav screen, but the changer had no Digital Coaxial Cable. Apparenlty there is a higher-end system than this which does have this missing digital coaxial cable. Perhaps that's the variable here? There seem to be two levels of DSP - the one above being a "quasi" DSP...

[Mylo_T_Cat]

Thanks for the info and the link. It was actually the content of that link that got me started on my quest! I'll give Crevier a call. Meanwhile, I stopped at my local dealership on the way home and they're going to look into it as well.
Dave

[UCrewX5]

It should be available for your vehicle and work just fine.

[somewhereinla]

I agree with the cassette player comment, I can't understand how BMW gets away with it.

[dan_fitz]

B/c we keep on buying them!

[Mylo_T_Cat]

Originally Posted by el_duderino

We just did an audio upgrade to a 2005 X5 with Nav and Cassette and "DSP".

It had dealer-installed Sirius.

The menu read "DSP" on the Nav screen, but the changer had no Digital Coaxial Cable. Apparenlty there is a higher-end system than this which does have this missing digital coaxial cable. Perhaps that's the variable here? There seem to be two levels of DSP - the one above being a "quasi" DSP...

The local dealership (Zimbrick BMW in Madison WI) did some research, called me at work today, and said they see no reason why Sirius can't be added to my 2005 4.8. So, I told them to order the parts and the truck goes in next Thursday. El_Duderino, I think you may be onto something regarding the presence or absence of a digital coax cable, and it's impact on whether Sirius can be added or not. I'll post the results, whichever way it turns out. Again, thanks to all for the info.
Dave

[UCrewX5]

Originally Posted by Mylo_T_Cat

El_Duderino, I think you may be onto something regarding the presence or absence of a digital coax cable, and it's impact on whether Sirius can be added or not. I'll post the results, whichever way it turns out. Again, thanks to all for the info.
Dave

The 2000 through 2002 X5's came with the digital DSP system that used a coax cable to connect the CD changer. Starting around the 2003 model year BMW went away from this and started using an analog DSP system that uses the same 6-pin connector to the CD changer as the non-DSP setup. This is why the pre-2003 X5's need the DSP adaptor kit when buying the IceLink Plus system from Dension, and those that are 2003 and newer do not.

[Mylo_T_Cat]

Originally Posted by somewhereinla

I agree with the cassette player comment, I can't understand how BMW gets away with it.

Dealer installed the system today and I love it. The service advisor said my 05 X5 was ready for it from the factory. Can't remember my sales guy asking if I wanted to add the Sirius at time of purchase as a dealer installed accessory or not. Anyway, guess I bought all those used cassettes off ebay for nothing . Parts list:

65-12-0-398-140 Sirius Receiver BMW $275
84-11-0-141-977 Sirius Extension Cable $17.25
84-11-0-141-978 Sirius CD Extension $17.25
84-11-0-392-099 LP Sirius Antenna Kit $60.00
84-11-0-141-976 E46/E53 Sirius Kit $60.00

Misc Supplies $15.00
Sub Parts $444.50
Labor $138.00
Total w/taxes $614.64

BTW, I asked the Sales Manager if he questioned the BMW rep about the cassette player, i.e. why in the heck did they put one in! He did, and accourding to the rep, the cassette is a holdover from past designs and will go away when the X5 gets redesigned. According to the rep, BMW looked at putting a CD player behind the NAV screen, but it wouldn't fit. It's like an inch or two deeper than the cassette module?

Dave
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2005 X5 4.8is