Here are a few pics of my installed Sirius s50. I mounted the init cleanly (and with no hacking up the X5, I might add ) using a universal mounting bracket by Bracketron (www.bracketron.com). for visuals on an X5, go to:

http://www.bracketron.com/xmain/manuals/BMW-200-00.pdf

(No, I am not the owner of Bracketron).

I then used the same satellite antenna I had run previously (again very cleanly and hidden) for my previous JVC Sirius unit. Of course it should work just as well with the antenna supplied with the s50, but why run it again? I then ran the cigarette lighter power adapter supplied with the s50 to the hidden extra power outlet tucked up underneath the glovebox. Finally, I neatly threaded and securely tucked all wires through the left upper side of the glovebox.

Not a very complicated or technically elaborate install, but it's very clean looking and the unit is located at a VERY easy and practical place to look at and access while in the driver's seat. Sounds great, too!

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What year is your X5? Are you using FM modulation or do you have an AUX input? I got the REPLAY for Christmas and have not installed it yet. I'm a little concerned about the sound quality from the FM modulation. Also, does your system have DSP? Any issues with that? Was it diificult to run the antenea wire? Sorry for all of the questions.
Thanks.....Jeff

Jeff, Mine is a 2001 X5 3.0i, non-dsp. I did swap out the door pillar tweeters and add a sub and amp in the trunk.

The fm modulator in mine sounds pretty good, no interference issues. The sound using the modulator is better than any fm station, but not nearly as sharp as my cd changer. So I did experiment and here's how I got MUCH better sound out of it:

I have an in-dash cassette, which obviously is not used these days. It did, however, prove to be quite useful. I decided to try a cassette adapter from the line out jack (3.5mm) on the back of the docking station. First I tried a Monster iplay cassette adapter. I don't know if it was faulty, but the sound quality was quite poor and the squeaking of the wheels on the cassette tape was noticeable. I returned it (Best Buy) and decided to give it one more try. I bought a Sony cassette adapter (for a Walkman) and tried the same thing. Success! The sound quality is much better than with the modulator-much sharper and picks up the bass better and absolutely no wheel noise! All for 20 bucks at Best Buy.

The nice thing about this setup is that I keep the cassette in at all times, and when I want to listen to satellite radio, I simply switch my stereo to "tape". Since the cassette unit is covered, all wires are hidden and tucked behind the wood flap covering the tape deck and by the s50. In short, the install from the cabin looks exactly as it does in the pictures above. The location of the unit works out perfectly to hide wires neatly, and is also in a great position for the driver to see and access.

In all, I'm very happy with the s50 and don't know if I'd pay all the bucks on a factory satellite radio on a new car. I'd probably do this same install, although I'd use the aux input jack on a newer model.

Good luck.

I am thinking about getting this one as well. Are their any component out connections from the dock? Or do you have to use the FM transmitter. Now that I have a Dice I figured it would sound better through that than the FM radio.

you should be able to connect a 3.5mm stereo audio to your dice from the receiver

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Thanks! I figured that could be a last resort. I installed a phono-RCA cord when I put it in so was hoping I wouldnt have to swap out the cable.

Or maybe I should just get new floor mats instead...hmmm.....

floor mats are a good investment

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