Sirius

[skverskk]

I own a 99 528i with a trunk mount Pioneer 6cd changer. How do I add Sirius directly to the BMW Sound Systems. Seems to be a little cofusing. Anyone have any idea? Thanks.

[El Presidente]

You can't with that year. You need a separate tuner, such as XM roadie. Don't know what the sirius equivelent is. You also need an antenna.

Then you have to mount an FM modulator and run a cable to control the tuner.

[540Sean]

I have a 99 540i and I installed a 2003 MY headunit. It is not the cheapest way to get Sirius but it is the only way to have steering wheel control and proper display. It does require changing the headunit and antenna amplifier/module. To use the later headunit adapters are required, I have BMW part #'s if anybody is interested.

[jllphan]

You can very cheaply add one of the Kenwood, JVC, or Audiovox Sirius tuners to your exisiting head unit. I have an old Clarion unit. If they still make a Sirus add on piece, buy it, as Clarion is by far the best of the aforementioned 12volt audio companies.

Pick out the tuner that looks best to you (they differ greatly) and then buy one of the three varying kits available:

Tape Cassete Kit: Uses a wired cassete that pumps the audio through the oem system and sound pretty good, but leaves wires laying around.


RF Modulator Kit: Doesn't sound quite as good as the cassette adaptor, but is a much cleaner install.

Wireless RF blaster: Is the cleanest and easiest install, but exhibits the poorest sound quality of the three.


Adding Sirius to your existing system can be done a few different ways, and all don't involve the loss of your steering wheel controls.

BTW, sirius is very cool, and worth the investment. I enjoy mine everday.