I used the Blitz XM Direct Adapter for BMW in my 2004 and it works great.

Here's what you need:
XM Satellite Radio at MyRadioStore - XM Radio Bundles - For Your Car - In Dash - XM Direct - XM Direct Adapter for BMW / Mini Cooper w/ iPod Interface
XM Satellite Radio at MyRadioStore - XM Radio Receivers - XM Direct XMD1000 Universal Tuner (Factory Reconditioned)

I really was not worried about losing a CD Change because I rarely play them...you can also search on eBay to see if the above items are there.

yea but which is for 2003 without nav cd changer or sat ready radios?

Today, I transferred the OE Sirius module from a 2005 4.8is that I had installed into my 2004 3.0 for the past two years. I did not have a CD changer in the 3.0, but I do in my 'new' 2004 4.8is. Since I bought the correct adapter cable initially, I simply used it to connect the stock CD changer in line with my OE Sirius module.

As an interesting aside, I got a 'no antenna' error message on my 4.8. I guess I pulled a bit harder than I should have while removing it. :dunno: A quick trip to a Best Buy found a Terk XM antenna that fit and works even BETTER than the old one. Best $40 I ever spent!:thumbup:

What I do NOT like about the Nav vs non Nav is that now I seem to have only 6 presets. On my low line, non-DSP 3.0, I got like 18 or something silly. I will now be forced to find the stations I REALLY want on memory. :(

I am curious, though:

Does anyone have experience with this setup and the Dice 1500? I would love to add Bluetooth, aux in, and powered USB to the car. Experiences?

The OEM sirius is the way to go and as a previous poster said you can have both the changer and the sirius module at the same time. It is very easy to install yourself. I bought the retrofit kit that included all the extension cables and antenna and it works great. You can hide the antenna in the area where the brake light is if you wish, I did and it works the excellent.

The nice thing about the OEM is that all your controls on the steering wheel work and the presets on the radio itself works. You can clearly see the song information and the sound quality is really good. Tons better than the radio and on par with the changer playing cd's or mp3s.

Team. When I bought my '03 X5 4.6is last year, it came with the iPod connection. It also came with the original 6-CD changer and it wouldn't work. I realized later on that it was unplugged. Did the iPod connector took over the CD changer? Then if I decide to also get the Sirius stuff, will it also kill my iPod connector? Damn, there's got to be a solution!

You'll have to have a stereo that has the aux input capability so if you don't then you'll have to buy that too. I did on my 2001 and this kit worked for it. I'm sure a simple search here will help you identify if your stereo has it or not...I can't remember off the top of my head by thought 2003's had aux input...??? :dunno:

I just installed on of the OEM units. I took out the CDC and just plugged in the unit. I can see SiriusXM on the nav screen on CH 184 but no artist or info and no sound. Is this normal until I activate it or is this a dud unit??