t-bone

I got the satellite radio installed last week. They should be available at most dealerships.

Here are some pics of the COMAND and the instrument cluster:















Hmm.... but where is that antenna that supposedly MUST be installed on the trunk? Looks like there's no antenna to be found.

W210

Excellent job, how much did it cost you?

rgbyhkr

So why don't you be a pal and tell us all the big secret?

corgiman

antenna's under the fiberglass spoiler................

Mr. Xristo

How about a close-up photo

t-bone

The antenna is actually under the rear deck.

It is not a standard installation. Standard installation calls for drilling a hole in the trunk lid and there was NO WAY I was going to do that. I wouldn't install it under the rear spoiler because that would also require drilling.

It was not easy to do though. Since the car comes prewired for satellite radio, the wires needed to be routed out of the trunk lid and into the rear deck. Then some modifications were necessary in order for the antenna to stand up straight with the wires coming down correctly. If you open your trunk, you'll notice a bulge in the trunk lid lining. This is for the wires to come down straight and then bend.

Signal strength is perfectly fine even with the antenna in the rear deck.

The satellite radio has a buffer of about 6 seconds. This allows you to go under bridges and not lose signal. However, going into tunnels the reception will cut out and you'll get the "Acquiring Signal" screen. That's why I posted those pictures. When it tries to aquire the signal again, it only takes a few seconds.

I am very happy with my satellite radio installation. It costs around $600 for the satellite radio kit which includes 12 months of free service from Sirius. Installation cost will depend upon your dealer.

These are all the photos I can really take of the satellite radio. The antenna is too hidden to take a picture of. And the receive is uninteresting to look at. It's installed on the right side of the trunk.

kyee

How much for the labor/installation?

t-bone

I had a deal worked out so what I paid would not be relevant to your installation.

Sorry I can't be of more help.

oktane

Will the antenna work just sitting under the trunk lid? Obviously it will be a weak signal but it may be worth trying.

t-bone

I doubt it will work under the trunk lid. If it could work under the trunk lid then they would have supplied the E-classes with the same kit as the CL's.

The CL antenna does install under the trunk lid but that's because the CL's trunk lid is made of a different material.