Activating SAT Radio on 05 E55
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Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Santa Clara, CA
2016 CLS63S AMG, 2017 GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate, 2019 KTM 1290 Super Adventure R
Activating SAT Radio on 05 E55
I've searched the forums and can't find a clear answer to this. How do I activate the Satellite radio on my 2005 E55 with COMAND with NAV and SAT option? How much does the dealer charge to activate this and what's the subscription cost? Tired of changing channels because of commercials. Thanks.
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Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Southern Maryland USA
06 E55 AMG, 13 C63 AMG
If you do not have the Sat installed you can put it in yourself.
I just put in the package from www.Cartronics.com.
G
I just put in the package from www.Cartronics.com.
G
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 469
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From: Santa Clara, CA
2016 CLS63S AMG, 2017 GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate, 2019 KTM 1290 Super Adventure R
Thanks for all of the replies. I want it to be integrated with the COMAND system and mute when I receive calls or using NAV, etc. Does this mean I need the MB OEM receiver? How is the quality compared to the standard FM crap? I just don't want to hear commercials anymore and choose the genre of music I want to listen to. How much will all of this stuff cost if I go to the stealer? I'll probably buy the lifetime subscription. Thanks.
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'06 E55 K2
To the OP, before you buy any equipment, slow down and take 30-minutes to check to make sure you are pre-wired for SAT from the factory. Late '05s and all '06s are not pre-wired for SAT (check your car's born in date). You have to pull the trim from the right side of the trunk and determine if you have the harness connectors (which includes the fiber optic cables) for the SAT to be included in the MOST ring. If you need pictures, I can post them for you as a guide.
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Joined: Jan 2011
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E55 AMG
connector:
Location:
for antenna you can just use:
http://www.amazon.com/Sirius-Radio-D...1411018&sr=8-1
Location:
for antenna you can just use:
http://www.amazon.com/Sirius-Radio-D...1411018&sr=8-1
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Santa Clara, CA
2016 CLS63S AMG, 2017 GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate, 2019 KTM 1290 Super Adventure R
I went to the MB dealer today and had the parts guy lookup my VIN and he confirmed that the car didn't originally come with the SAT/Sirius option even though the button is on my COMAND unit. He looked up the kit I need and quoted me $1350 installed but Shardul is selling me the correct OEM SAT receiver for $400 less than the dealer so this whole setup will only cost me about a grand. MB is willing to install the system even if I bring my own correct receiver. I will also go with the antenna you guys suggested and try mounting it behind the rear seat up on the decklid as I don't want a huge puck antenna on my trunk. I think I'm all set and have a plan here. Will follow up on this thread once I get everything installed and activated. Can't wait to have Sirius in my E55 
Regarding the Sirius audio quality/fidelity, are you guys saying it sounds worse than a good FM signal due to the compression/codecs etc.? I assumed the quality would be at least as good or better than FM...
Regarding the Sirius audio quality/fidelity, are you guys saying it sounds worse than a good FM signal due to the compression/codecs etc.? I assumed the quality would be at least as good or better than FM...
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Joined: Feb 2011
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From: California
2001 SLK320 Firemist Red
My personal experience is that sound quality descends from CD to FM to Sat.
Your Mileage May Vary.
That said, I find nothing wrong with Sat's audio quality.
I've been listening to expanded MP3 podcasts on CD before this car, and
your music is inside a car with a supercharger whine for God's sake!
I will say my bigger complaint about Sirius/XM Sat in my car,
and again your mileage may vary, has been the cutouts I get.
I expect "under-the-bridge" cutouts on Sat, but I get them
also in and fairly often in wide-open spaces.
I have a 2006 E55 that I bought CPO in February,
and I think it's 100% stock, for what that's worth.
Chris/Barcud
Your Mileage May Vary.
That said, I find nothing wrong with Sat's audio quality.
I've been listening to expanded MP3 podcasts on CD before this car, and
your music is inside a car with a supercharger whine for God's sake!
I will say my bigger complaint about Sirius/XM Sat in my car,
and again your mileage may vary, has been the cutouts I get.
I expect "under-the-bridge" cutouts on Sat, but I get them
also in and fairly often in wide-open spaces.
I have a 2006 E55 that I bought CPO in February,
and I think it's 100% stock, for what that's worth.
Chris/Barcud
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 882
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From: Oldsmar, FL
2005 E55 Wagon, 2017 C63S Cab, 1986 560SL
I agree. The MB receiver isn't great and cuts out a lot. We have a new mini-van and its Sirius is far superior. Some is just 'newer', but some is just 'wasn't very good'.
Kind of sad.
That said, I really like Sirius. As I said before, they'll tell you it isn't available anymore, but if you push, you can get the Lifetime for $299. If you're keeping the car, it is well worth it. I've owned my car for 4 years and will keep it forever.
Kind of sad.
That said, I really like Sirius. As I said before, they'll tell you it isn't available anymore, but if you push, you can get the Lifetime for $299. If you're keeping the car, it is well worth it. I've owned my car for 4 years and will keep it forever.
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Joined: Jan 2011
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E55 AMG
my opinion is the sirius sound quality is on my Mercedes is way better than FM radio channels. I never listen to CD's so can not comet there.
If you have a sirius tuner that brodcast over FM to your radio then the quality is horrible. Hard wire oem is the only way to go on a Mercedes.
good luck.
If you have a sirius tuner that brodcast over FM to your radio then the quality is horrible. Hard wire oem is the only way to go on a Mercedes.
good luck.
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none
I think if you aren't prewired, youre better off getting a dash unit and listen to it through your AUX button, not as good as hardwired but a lot better than the FM reciever. Will the dealer runs the wiring from the headunit to the antenna or is Shardul selling you the cabling/connectors as well.
You can see my details here
https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...s-install.html
PS I had to modify my antenna I bought from Best Buy to get it to work. The Mercedes Benz Female Connector is designed to work with the big bug mounted on the trunk
You can see my details here
https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...s-install.html
PS I had to modify my antenna I bought from Best Buy to get it to work. The Mercedes Benz Female Connector is designed to work with the big bug mounted on the trunk
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E55 AMG
there r two antenna connections on the oem sirius receiver where the factory antenna plugs into. when i installed mine i purchased a regular sirius magnet antenna and plugged into one of the two connections....i can't remember which one...but if the first connection doesn't pick up signal then just swap to second connection. as far as cabling it is just the fiber connection for the most ring and should be sitting back in the trunk. I just did this install over the summer and everything works. you can purchase the bracket for some crazy amount of money or just secure the receiver in the mounting location with your choice.
Thread Starter
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From: Santa Clara, CA
2016 CLS63S AMG, 2017 GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate, 2019 KTM 1290 Super Adventure R
My car did not come with the SAT/Sirius option which is why I'm just going to have the dealer do the installation. I did verify with the MB parts guy that the receiver Shardul sold me is the correct part so I'll save a good amount of money there. I also won't be using the huge MB puck/antenna and will install the Amazon/Best Buy antenna on the rear deck as you did. Will let you know if I have any questions as I progress with this project. No more commercials or talking heads will make driving the beast a whole lot more enjoyable
I think if you aren't prewired, youre better off getting a dash unit and listen to it through your AUX button, not as good as hardwired but a lot better than the FM reciever. Will the dealer runs the wiring from the headunit to the antenna or is Shardul selling you the cabling/connectors as well.
You can see my details here
https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...s-install.html
PS I had to modify my antenna I bought from Best Buy to get it to work. The Mercedes Benz Female Connector is designed to work with the big bug mounted on the trunk
You can see my details here
https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...s-install.html
PS I had to modify my antenna I bought from Best Buy to get it to work. The Mercedes Benz Female Connector is designed to work with the big bug mounted on the trunk
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 419
Likes: 3
From: Southern Maryland USA
06 E55 AMG, 13 C63 AMG
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2005 E55 amg
So just because I have the antenna on the roof doesn't mean I have a satellite radio kit on my car correct? I pushed the SAT button for the ID # and it didn't show any numbers.
EDIT* Never mind, I see that the antenna is for "tele-aide" and "gps"
EDIT* Never mind, I see that the antenna is for "tele-aide" and "gps"
Last edited by SvtAmg; Nov 28, 2011 at 07:30 PM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 469
Likes: 11
From: Santa Clara, CA
2016 CLS63S AMG, 2017 GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate, 2019 KTM 1290 Super Adventure R
I decided to go the iTronic SAT radio route so I'm putting this OEM receiver back up for sale. PM if interested.
