XM your X5!
 

Hi Everyone,

I am not sure if this has been posted before, but I'd thought I'd pass on this information as I didn't see anything on it in the forum.

If you have a 2003 (or newer) X5 (or 3 series, or Mini Cooper) and want to have XM Radio, your truck's stereo is satellite ready and can take an adaptor called XMDirect. The adaptor is plug-and-play and you'll be up and running in less than 5 minutes!

Here's the catch!

1. The adaptor ONLY works with no-nav systems.
2. When you order the system, make sure you pick the correct one (no CD changer vs. CD changer).

You can order XMDirect from http://www.xmfanstore.com Look for XMDirect on the home page. The adaptor is $180 and it gets plugged in the back of the car. What it does is fool the stereo into thinking that Sirius has been activated. It's pretty cool, when you turn on the stereo, it flashes "Sirius" for a second and then "XM Radio" comes on and you are good to go!

You get 18 presets (3 sets of 6) and it works seamlessly with the stereo (all controls on the steering wheel, station name display, etc).

Hope this helps anyone looking for XM. I installed it in my '05 X5 and my brother's '04 330. They work like a charm!

Best,

Jose

P.S. I don't work for XM, XM Fan Store, or any of them. I just prefer XM over Sirius and I'm a sucker for a good deal! :D

You definitely won't regret the XM Direct product! I did the same thing, recounted here. Did you hide the antenna inside the rear spoiler? This was discussed here, with valuable instructions shown here (he was installing Sirius, but the instructions are obviously the same).

I did have a bit of a bummer yesterday. Waiting in a line at a drive-up pharmacy for a pick-up, and couldn't listen to XM because the big roof over the drive-up blocked the signal! I had to switch to FM radio! Ouch! :bustingup