Finally got a radio. Got a part number from the dealer who tried to offer a replacement for $5300 (WTF?!!) Looking up the part number i found a refurbished radio from a BMW online parts retailer and grabbed that instead, $850 with $1100 core charge). It's installed and seems to be working. Some menu items don't seem to all be there but that's OK.
Biggest issue is my satellite radio isn't working. Sirius can't send it a signal, I have to pull the radio to get the radio ID. Is this normal? Did the tech forget to hook something up or check a box on install?

Sounds normal to me. Sirius needs to know the radio ID is associated with a paid account before it'll let you listen to their tunes. With some menu items missing it sounds like unit wasn't coded to your car. You might want to ask installer what coding he did if any. If you post on one of the BMW coding/programming/diagnostic forums you should be able to find someone in your area to code it per the DIY in my previous post.

Oh I know why they need a radio ID I was just wondering if pulling the radio is the only way to find it.

The shop that installed the radio and did the coding had never done it before. I have a feeling they may have missed a step. I called and asked if there was a checkbox for enabling satellite radio and they said there wasn't but i'm dubious now.

I'm going to use your link and try to find someone in Phoenix who can check out the coding, make sure it was done right.

Thanks

OK, that makes more sense. I misunderstood. I presume your previous M-ASK had Sat radio. I would think that you should see the sat radio option on the new unit and it would warn you about no activation and perhaps show you the ID No. This might be another indication coding wasn't performed. I think the early cars had a separate satellite tuner in the spare tire well, not sure when this became integrated in the head unit. ID No is likely on the tuner if your MY has one.

Ok.
I have the radio id but Sirius still cant talk to it. They say I should see the ESN on the Manage Subscription screen but it's blank.
Is adding the radio ID a step in the 'coding the radio to your car' process?
I'm wondering if my next step is to call the shop that did the install or call the BMW parts department that sold me the refurbished radio. At this point I don't know if it was a poor refurb or a mistake by a first time installer?

Thanks for any help.

Got it all sorted. Now it's time to sell.

How? Reinstall the FCS code in the new unit?

What did you do to get it sorted?

Brought it to the dealer. Turns out the independent installer didn't perform all the steps.

maybe? I don't know what that means lol I didn't ask for details, just happy they fixed it without raping me.