I have a R Class on order and intend to order the SIRIUS system. Can anyone with a new 2006 ML tell me where the antenna for the SIRIUS radio is located? Is it integrated into the small antenna on the top of the car or is it a "ugly black box" pasted onto another part of the car like earlier satelite antennas? Thanks

 

Hello Jack!

Its integrated into the glass. Where, specifically? I don't know. That is why sat radio is only a factory option.

 

Thanks Jack...I am glad they solved that problem...some of those trunk top installs were ugly.

 

I'm not so sure it's glass-integrated - the M-B website feature on it shows the signal coming from the rear of the trunk on a sedan. I know it's not visible, though.

http://www.mbusa.com/brand/models/te...p?accCode=3004

 

I'm not sure if someone with a 2006 M-class can tell you, but I can. The antenna is under the plastic panel that is between the roof and the top of the rear hatch.

-s-

 

Here a picture of that rectangular plastic panel across the rear roof. The Sirius antenna is under there on the driver's side, and not visible.

 

Incidentally, if you have an antenna module without SIRIUS, you will need to replace the whole module to get the SIRIUS antenna as it is integrated with the other antennas (or add an extra SIRIUS antenna).

I believe the module will be the same used on the R-class.

-s-

 

Thanks for the information...I am relieved to see that MB has integrated the antenna and it will not require a install somewhere on the car. It will be one of my options so there should not be a problem. Thanks again.

 

Actually, you either get Sirius wiring, including antenna or you don't. It's a factory only option. You could install the antenna only into the antenna module, it simply snaps into place and the wiring plugs into it. (if the wiring is there when the antenna isn't) From everything we have heard, neither the antenna leads or MOST lines will be pre-installed. You would have to order every part and line involved in the system.

However, if you want it, order it with the car. You have to take the headliner out to access the antenna module, not a small job. I have done this, and don't want to do it again. You're just asking for trouble.

 

Here's the SIRIUS installation they showed at the M-class Road Rally event. Not a particularly clean install...

 

That's not where it goes on production cars. That must have been a very early car with engineering equipment. That is under the right side rear seat, where the DVD player goes when you get the rear entertainment system.

The Sirius control unit goes on the driver's side under the seat, on the bottom of the compartment. If you have TeleAid and phone, they go above it.

 

Thanks for clearing that up. It was indeed an early production vehicle from December 2004.

 

You're probably not aware what we do, but we specialize in adding things into cars that "aren't supposed to have it". You personally may not want to do it because you are flat rate, or it's not your usual line, or any number of reasons you don't explain; but others don't shy away from such work. On ordering it ahead of time... sometimes a customer doesn't have the opportunity to order the car the way he or she wants, or the customer doesn't want it at first and wants it later. Either way, there's always a reason.

Unfortunately, the wiring is easy to get, but the antenna by itself is not. Power harness, short MOST cable, and antenna leads cost about $100.

-s-

 

I was listening to the iPod Walkaround (dealer only) last night and they in fact mentioned that the antenna's for the various components were located in a weather proof location near the back of the ML above the rear hatch.

I stand corrected and it seems that Greg, scorchie and wolfgang are correct.

 

I have a fiber otpic system that seems to run the amplifier and cd changer from the head unit. I see many different head units from china that look as though they may work with the fiber optic system. Is there any other work around that will allow me to upgrade my stereo head unit?