nice,,,
find the antenna (satellite radio installed)
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,393
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From: Pasadena
2004 E55
find the antenna (satellite radio installed)
I got the satellite radio installed last week. They should be available at most dealerships.
Here are some pics of the COMAND and the instrument cluster:
Hmm.... but where is that antenna that supposedly MUST be installed on the trunk? Looks like there's no antenna to be found.
Here are some pics of the COMAND and the instrument cluster:
Hmm.... but where is that antenna that supposedly MUST be installed on the trunk? Looks like there's no antenna to be found.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 624
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From: Westchester County, NY
2013 E 350, 2012 GLK 350, 2012 C300 4matic
OK T-Bone where is it ? (Under the rear deck ?) Was your install the standard recommended by MB?
How's the reception ? - What's the deal with "Acquiring Signal" - is that frequent and a long process ?
Thanks
How's the reception ? - What's the deal with "Acquiring Signal" - is that frequent and a long process ?
Thanks
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,393
Likes: 11
From: Pasadena
2004 E55
Very good guesses folks.
The antenna is actually under the rear deck.
It is not a standard installation. Standard installation calls for drilling a hole in the trunk lid and there was NO WAY I was going to do that. I wouldn't install it under the rear spoiler because that would also require drilling.
It was not easy to do though. Since the car comes prewired for satellite radio, the wires needed to be routed out of the trunk lid and into the rear deck. Then some modifications were necessary in order for the antenna to stand up straight with the wires coming down correctly. If you open your trunk, you'll notice a bulge in the trunk lid lining. This is for the wires to come down straight and then bend.
Signal strength is perfectly fine even with the antenna in the rear deck.
The satellite radio has a buffer of about 6 seconds. This allows you to go under bridges and not lose signal. However, going into tunnels the reception will cut out and you'll get the "Acquiring Signal" screen. That's why I posted those pictures. When it tries to aquire the signal again, it only takes a few seconds.
I am very happy with my satellite radio installation. It costs around $600 for the satellite radio kit which includes 12 months of free service from Sirius. Installation cost will depend upon your dealer.
The antenna is actually under the rear deck.
It is not a standard installation. Standard installation calls for drilling a hole in the trunk lid and there was NO WAY I was going to do that. I wouldn't install it under the rear spoiler because that would also require drilling.
It was not easy to do though. Since the car comes prewired for satellite radio, the wires needed to be routed out of the trunk lid and into the rear deck. Then some modifications were necessary in order for the antenna to stand up straight with the wires coming down correctly. If you open your trunk, you'll notice a bulge in the trunk lid lining. This is for the wires to come down straight and then bend.
Signal strength is perfectly fine even with the antenna in the rear deck.
The satellite radio has a buffer of about 6 seconds. This allows you to go under bridges and not lose signal. However, going into tunnels the reception will cut out and you'll get the "Acquiring Signal" screen. That's why I posted those pictures. When it tries to aquire the signal again, it only takes a few seconds.
I am very happy with my satellite radio installation. It costs around $600 for the satellite radio kit which includes 12 months of free service from Sirius. Installation cost will depend upon your dealer.
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Super Member
Joined: May 2003
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From: Midwest
'08 SL550 Sport, '11 BMW 550ix M sport
That's awesome T-Bone! I was just about to cancel my Sat radio that I had on order because I, like you, would never drill a big *** hole in my trunk lid.
Can you show us some close-up photo details that I can take to my dealer and say... "see this guy didn't have to drill a hole in his trunk lid...figure it out boys!"
Thanks T-Bone
Can you show us some close-up photo details that I can take to my dealer and say... "see this guy didn't have to drill a hole in his trunk lid...figure it out boys!"
Thanks T-Bone
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,393
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From: Pasadena
2004 E55
I took a look at where the antenna was last night. I'll take some pics soon.
It doesn't look too difficult to do, but then again, I didn't do it.
So it might be more difficult than it looks or it just might be as easy as it appears.
Looks like one hole needs to be drilled into metal.
Pics will come later tonight or tomorrow.
It doesn't look too difficult to do, but then again, I didn't do it.
So it might be more difficult than it looks or it just might be as easy as it appears.Looks like one hole needs to be drilled into metal.
Pics will come later tonight or tomorrow.
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: THE Orange County, California
2024 C8 Z06- 2025 BMW CS- 2022 Porsche 992 GTS
Originally posted by t-bone
I took a look at where the antenna was last night. I'll take some pics soon.
It doesn't look too difficult to do, but then again, I didn't do it. So it might be more difficult than it looks or it just might be as easy as it appears.
Looks like one hole needs to be drilled into metal.
Pics will come later tonight or tomorrow.
I took a look at where the antenna was last night. I'll take some pics soon.
It doesn't look too difficult to do, but then again, I didn't do it.
So it might be more difficult than it looks or it just might be as easy as it appears.Looks like one hole needs to be drilled into metal.
Pics will come later tonight or tomorrow.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,393
Likes: 11
From: Pasadena
2004 E55
Originally posted by Vic55
Taison what dealer did this, I just called Penske today and they told me it was not available yet? How is the sound?
Taison what dealer did this, I just called Penske today and they told me it was not available yet? How is the sound?
Here is the part number for the kit: B6 783 0002
This part number is only for the W211 though. Other models have different part numbers.
Any dealership with a competent technician should be able to do it. Maybe even install it the way mine was done. Although my installation took all day long. They just need to order the kit by using your VIN.
The sound is great. Very clear. I really like having satellite radio regular radio does not play much of the music I like. And no commercials or annoying blabbing by DJ's is great. There are DJ's on some stations but they are there to just name the song and tell you what's coming up. No inane chit chat.
Last edited by t-bone; Apr 7, 2004 at 04:31 PM.
