Snorman

Just an FYI, as I've seen some conflicting info on the board regarding Sirius install in cars not optioned with it from the factory.
I had it installed at Princeton MB on Friday. It is virtually a factory install. The Sirius install kit from MB includes a color-matched antenna, which is trunk mounted, just as from the factory. It integrates with the COMAND system (which I had seen disputed a few times here) and works just like the Sirius in our GL450.
Price? Well, it was a bit more than I expected at ~$1600. Certainly, I may have been able to beat them down a bit. But I got a similar price quoted by another dealer and didn't really want to take the car to Princeton for the 1-3k service and then to another dealer for the Sirius install. I also didn't want to get it installed outside of a MB dealer, as it would have not been covered under my 7yr/100k warranty in the event of a malfunction.

I've got a pic of the antenna, and one of the COMAND in SAT mode...but it looks just like factory. BTW...my build date was 09/05 and my COMAND is equipped with a SAT button, which I'm told by the dealer is the way to tell if Sirius can be retrofitted.
S.

jangy

My factory mounted antenna is not trunk mounted. it is on the roof. VPC installs are trunk mounted.

Snorman

That's strange. I saw E-class cars on the floor at the dealer with the antenna on the trunk.
S.

jangy

Added at VPC? Dunno. It may also be a build date thing. Mine is on the roof.

Kar don

built 9/05???? Do you have pano roof?

Snorman

No.

MACHC5

My antenna is inside... on the rear window tray.

jangy

No issues with reception? My '05 had it on the trunk and the '06 has it on the roof, and there is a major advantage on the roof for me. The '05 would go out on every overhang!!

MACHC5

No issues at all and it's out of the weather.
And no hole in my trunk lid..!

You do have to strip the antenna wire out of the trunk harness and reroute to the rear window tray.

This is the 3rd car I have done this way.

jangy

Is yours an MB OEM antenna? I wonder if the other ones work better. i like mine now, but the one in the Jeep seems to have even better buffer or reception.

MACHC5

Just used all the MB parts, ant included, that come in the Sirius kit.

I work at a two-way radio shop with RF equipment and issues.

grizbo

My build date was 06/05 and when I tried to have Sirius installed, the dealer showed me a service bulletin that says o6 builds after May aren't wired for Sirius---even though mine has "the button" on the command. Another dealer said they can get a special fiberoptic cable that they run from the trunk to the command enabling OEM type install. The price was gonna be "at least $2000" total and I ditched that deal since I won't keep the car long enough to justify that price.

psk145

Mine's from the factory and has the ant. on the roof, but I still get cutout almost everytime I go under a bridge or even som thick tree covering

Jrocket

So,do these cars come with the ant. already installed or do I have to buy one seperately.If my car hs the SAt radio button I should be able to have it hooked up at the dealer correct?

Kar don

Snorman I don't understand how you had OEM sirius installed because your car was not pre-wired...

2K6E55

My SAT antena is on the trunk. I hate it!

Snorman

It was prewired. There is an antenna on the trunk and Sirius is controlled through the COMAND system, just as on our GL450 and I'm sure any other MB with the Sirius option.
There was a "kit" from MB that included a color-matched antenna.
S.

jangy

No, they do not come with the antenna. The new ones may (E63), as they only have one antenna for all functions. The E55s, however, have a separate puck style for the Sirius.

Jrocket

I have been doing searches here to read more about it.Looks like mounting the Ant. under the vent on the hood is a clean place to have it.

Does tint on the windows block the signal?I'd like to mount it on the rear shelf under the back window but it does have dark tint.

jangy

Yes, tint will affect ou signal as will the "block" that the metal of the hood gives. You basically only get signal that is either directly overhead or from behind the car. On another note, the degree of impact from tint has to do with the type of tint. If it has metal in it, then surely you will see more impact. Last thing, I know of friends that speculated that some of their weak signal was due to interference or blockage from the rear defroster wiring.

As a general rule, keep in mind that the more stealth it is, the weaker your signal will be. I know of many that run it by the wipers, but I don't know if any significant studies have been done to show efficacy.

I am considering developing a rear lip spoiler with an integrated antenna as well. You interested?

Jrocket

Not sure if Im up for a spoiler or not.Some days I like them,some I dont.Not sure where else too mount the Ant.

Need to see some pics and ideas from cars with pano roofs.

MACHC5

The Mercedes provided SIRUS antenna is OK, but not the best. I have NAV in every vehicle and we have the new smaller and the old larger antennas. Size does make a diff.
I'm going to look into a slightly larger... high gain model.

MachC5

Kar don

an 09/05 build should not have prewiring, how much did the install cost you? The only way it should have it is if it has pano roof. All E's build 06/05 and later should not have prewiring.

Snorman

Whatever, dude.
Read the last paragraph of my first post.
Dealer told me if it has a "SAT" button on COMAND, it's prewired.
Bottom line is that Sirius is controlled through COMAND just like OEM, and the antenna is on the deck lid, which I personally prefer over the roof mount on an non-Panaroof car.

jangy

All E commands have the Sat button. Don't be so stubborn. Look for the antenna, then.