JLBMERC

Has anyone added Satellite radio to their 2003 E55 yet---or considering doing so? I am looking into this and running into a few dead ends.

I would like to use XM radio and have it accessible through the car's existing Audio menu system. This would allow at least some control through the steering wheel--for volume for instance. The issue I am running into is this integration:

First---there is no auxiliary source selection from the Audio menu screen that I can find. Second, the car uses fiber optics and the installer I am working with does not think he can tap into this. So the only option I have seems to be a completely stand alone set up that would integrate with the existing system via an FM modulator---which would mean receiving the satellite signal and converting it into FM to be received by my stereo---more of a hack solution IMHO. Has anyone else found a better way or another option--(aside from waiting for an '04)?

kaneman

I had it installed and LOVE it. The Pioneer or Alpine FM modulated units work great (wife has the Pioneer and I have the Alpine) and both display/control units fit just fine in the ashtray. The sound is great (I can't tell much of a difference at all between FM and direct and in fact think FM is better as it masks some of the compression artifacts) and is MUCH better than traditional FM radio (well, depending on how good the source channel sounds, some aren't the best). Rest assured it's nothing like listening to an actual FM station, there's not the heavy compression, limiting, EQing and processing that makes FM sound so awful. Also, I find XM to be VASTLY superior to Sirius which will be what comes stock in the '04 cars in both sound and content. I'll post pics of the install today.

kaneman

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kaneman

And btw the ashtray lid closes fully and there's still storage space behind the control unit (that's my garage opener behind it)

JLBMERC

Thanks Kaneman,


Great pictures, glad to hear you like this set up and the sound is good---I agree with you about XM. Then I am going forward with this. I will post pics of the installation. Thanks again.

kaneman

The MB tuner module may be a bit hard to find if you have the electronic trunk closer. Let the installer know that it's a silver box mounted on the left side of the trunk towards the front of the car. It'll be behind the gearing for the trunk closer and will have a fairly thick cable with a white plastic wraparound tag (that has a german word I can't remember printed on it... starts with a B) plugged into it. That's the antenna... the XM radio connects as normal but he may get thrown off by the fact that there's about 5 other cables/connectors that LOOK like the right one and fit the connector in that general area. He's also going to need Euro-US antenna adapters. The relevant cable numbers are Metra 40-EU10 and 40-EU20. He'll need one of each.

Tell him he does NOT need to pull the radio and there's no antenna connection on the radio NOR is there one on either of the rear pillers. He doesn't need to remove those trim pieces either. The antenna connecter he needs is on that tuner module in the trunk.

JLBMERC

Kaneman,

When you turn on your XM stereo, I gather you do it through the display in your ashtray----and then set your FM radio to a specific Frequency--which allows you to adjust the volume through your steering wheel if you want? Is it easy to change channels on the XM Display unit? Do you do this manually and/or through a remote?

RedBaron

kaneman, which antenna (make/model) do you have and where is it located?

kaneman

Forgot the antenna pics!!! I'll post those tomorrow. It's an Antenna Specialists roof stick-on, I'll find the model number too. And JLB, yes I tune the radio to a certain FM frequency and control volume through the normal controls. The Alpine comes with a remote but I find it harder to use than the actual control unit. Channels are VERY easy to switch, I merely twist the knob. I tend not to even use the presets since it's so easy to tune the XM with the rotary knob.