I just bought a 2003 SL500 and the existing radio does not have satelite radio. It has the Nav and also has an auxillary feature. Can I ad sirius and use the head unit? Also, if I have to ad one of those sirius units that mount somewhere in the car, does anyone have any ideas on how to install without junking up the look of the interior?
Thanks
Randy

On the 2003, it's not possible to add the factory sat unit. You can get an aftermarket unit and use the aux jack in the glove box.

While shopping for an SL55 this past weekend, I saw a CPO 2004 model with Sat added. The 2004 uses the same head unit as the 2003. The sat was integrated into the comand unit - saw it come up, and it the antenna was installed on the trunk lid. So it can be done.

I had an Alpine Vehicle Hub Pro system integrated with my stock head unit. I now have Sirius, a new Nav (a good DVD based system), and iPod using the TV (blank key) input. You can add even more to it if you wanted to.

can you provide more info about the alpine unit. is it hidden? did you get any bluetooth phone hookup thru this system? thanks.

the 2004 does not use the same comand as a 2003.

The purpose of the vehicle hub pro is to integrate all alpine electronics with the factory screen. You will retain volume from the steering wheel and comand unit. All other functions will not be of any use. To control the vehicle hub, you will have to use the included "idrive" type controller or use a alpine ir remote for a cleaner look. It will display all the alpine stuff on the comand screen. Things that can be integrated with the vehicle hub pro are

Ipod
MP3 Changer
Sirius
XM
HD radio
Alpine Nav
Bluetooth phone sytem

I thought MY03 and MY04 had same Comand, and MB changed to the DVD based Nav (larger screen) for MY05. The MY04 I saw had the same size (smaller) screen as my old MY03 and SAT was active. Nonetheless this is of little value since I don't know how it was activated!
I stand corrected.

The system is hidden except for the "orb" which is used to control it. Of course, you could always us the IR remote instead and eliminate the orb.

My installer built a box and put the vehicle hub and nav DVD reader in the trunk on the passenger side. He ran the iPod cable to the compartment behind the passenger seat. The orb is mounted on the center console.
The Sirius antenna and GPS are under the "vents" on the hood.

My only complaint is some video noise which we believe to be a problem with the non-Alpine interface between the hub and the head unit.

As for bluetooth, I had previously installed the Argos unit from eiskits.com.

I'm interested in this vehcile hub and I'm trying to understand what it might open up!

I've a 2003 SL500 without DVD - it only had CD. If I had a specialist connect the vehicle hub - what else could be connected through it?

Could I use an MP3 hard disk - and could it be controlled through the existing head for example?

Thanks,

Jeff