When my Beast was delivered, it had one of the new style smaller satellite antennas. It was black in color and did not look very nice on the white car. My salesman told me that white antennas would be available in a few weeks. He placed one on order and it came in at the time my car was ready for its 1000 mile service. They installed it during the service. I am happy with the looks. Here are some photos of the antenna and one of the other end of the car. Also, my salesman told me that the new smaller size antenna is available in 4 or 5 body colors as well as in primer finish so that it can be painted any of the other colors. The matching color is a plus and the smaller size is a definite improvement as well. If you are thinking about Sirius, my advice is to go for it. The music is so much better than broadcast radio and now the antenna is not the ugly wart. Enjoy.

With my SL55, you can stealth the antenna under one of the plastic grills on the hood... but the E55 presents a challenge. I think it might look better if it was mounted just in front of the radio antenna on the roof v. as a pimple in the middle of the trunk.

~ Ian

You can have it installed under the truck lid and not be seen at all. Some dealers may give you a hard time since it is more of a custom install but avoids having anything drilled. Had it installed over a year ago and love it

If you do a search, step by step directions were posted by T-Bone. It was called the T-Bone install by many members back then.

Interesting! I assume no issues w/ reception?! If that's the case I may just step up to it! Thanks!

~ Ian

I have had none unless in a tunnel or garages

its definately a huge improvement, but on the roof would be nice. but I hear that is the only location as far as warranty goes.

So can i take that knob off of the back if I am not going to get sat radio?

Not true. Had mine installed at the dealer when purchased, and told them no way to a trunk mount, or any other drilling option. Instead, they installed just in front of the stock GPS antenna. It is a bit hard to see in the attached picture, but it is only about 1.5 inches square, and raised about 3/8 of an inch. It really looks like part of the stock antenna and works great.

Like Brav said, yours is not covered under any warranty (except maybe what you have between your dealership and yourself). If you go anywhere else, it's not covered.

All these roof mounts are great and all ... unless you have a panorama roof.

-s-

I was talking with my mechanic yesterday who said that since I have the "t-bone" under the parcel shelf install I am just listening to the FM repeaters around town. Works OK - but interesting thought. I lose reception in a garage with satellite that I don't with FM - makes me think at least part of the signal is sat.

I am not sure about you... but I can tell when SIRIUS switches to a terrestrial repeater. Since we only have two here and they are 45 miles apart, I am in between the coverage areas most of the time. The range of the repeater only seems to be about 10 mile radius, and I spend most of my time in the 25 miles between the two coverage areas.

When I am actually at SFO or in San Francisco itself, the satellite radio works under multiple level throughfares, and in deep underground parking garages.

So most of the time I am receiving satellite signal from the hat tray antenna.

-s-

I do have a panorama roof...and it is covered under warranty... checked again today...don't know what else to say... it is the only way to go...riduculous to have that hump and a drilled hole on your trunklid...