Am I prewired for SAT radio?

Bora20 · 01-18-2009, 06:20 PM

I just got the car yesterday. I am not sure if it is prewired or not.

Sharkfin on the roof, the following connections under the trunk.

335iPaul · 01-18-2009, 06:30 PM

Im curious myself. My wife just got a new trailblazer and it has Sat radio and I like it. Would like to put it in mine but don't want to pay for install. If this is pre-wired, I could do it pretty easily myself.

jpsum · 01-18-2009, 07:02 PM

All 3 series in the US are prewired with the SAT antenna in the sharkfin. One of those connectors is the SAT antenna. If I remember correctly, it is the black one with the dual port. Just plug your SAT radio antenna cable in one and see if it works; if not, then try the other one.

fdiprete · 01-19-2009, 07:50 AM

Probably. The pic above looks like the bundle for the TCU (assist + bluetooth ) module. The Sat radio bundle is in the same location. it is 1 fiber connection and one antenna connection.

To install:
1) get the right sat radio module for your VIN + mounting bracket
2) install module in trunk (search DYI on this forum for PDF)
3) configure MOST fiber loop (same DYI)
4) go to dealer for programming to include the module.

Bora20 · 01-19-2009, 11:46 PM

So I am not prewired. I have searched and read several posts.

Has anyone actually spent the money and time to add the proper harnessing and updated roof antenna? I doubt it.

I am thinking that I would need the following:

- roof antenna inner receiver (exterior painted portion to remain)
- antenna cable from sharkfin to receiver
- MOST fiber cable to connection block behind seat bolster
- electrical connection from distribution panel (no idea where it is)
- typical SAT receiver and installation bracket

Ideas?? Thoughts??

fdiprete · 01-21-2009, 07:21 AM

wow - if your car is pre wired for the TCU but not the sat radio this is a first for me after reading the forums before I did my retrofit.

is your head unit a hifi pro or business?

If the wiring is indeed missing then this may become cost prohibitive.
The $500 sat module is bad enough. (less used if you can find a used one for your car)

Try starting at realoem.com, enter your VIN, and browse the parts lists.
With the correct parts you can check getbmwparts and pellicanparts for ball park pricing.

In addition to the harness (the power lead is in the black most connector by the way) I don't know how to tell if your shark fin has the antenna setup in it. Tricky.

Bora20 · 01-21-2009, 10:45 PM

It is a Canadian spec 2006 car, with a 11/2005 build. I don't think that Sirius could be "legally" licensed in Canada back then.

As part of the premium package it was prewired for telephone.

I have the Logic 7 sound system and have ordered a Sirius Starmate 5 that I will be installing in the sunglass tray. I am going to epoxy the base unit in place in a fashion that the unit can be removed and the cover can be closed.

Not going OEM and retrofitting the Sirius unit, harnessing, and antenna (Sharkfin doesn't have Sirius if you have do not have prewire) will allow me to purchase mudflaps, floor mats, sunglass tray, blacklines, and euro switch.

Thanks for the info, but I know realoem.com quite well from my 2 BMW motorcycles.

01-18-2009, 06:20 PM	#1
Bora20 Lieutenant 17 Rep 464 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW X3 3.0si M-Sport Join Date: May 2006 Location: Kamloops, BC, CAD iTrader: (0)	Am I prewired for SAT radio? I just got the car yesterday. I am not sure if it is prewired or not. Sharkfin on the roof, the following connections under the trunk.
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01-18-2009, 06:30 PM	#2
335iPaul Colonel 39 Rep 2,213 Posts Drives: 2007 335i SG Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: St. Louis, MO iTrader: (3) Garage List 2007 335i [0.00]	Im curious myself. My wife just got a new trailblazer and it has Sat radio and I like it. Would like to put it in mine but don't want to pay for install. If this is pre-wired, I could do it pretty easily myself. __________________ Current: 07 335i e90 Previous: 09 Acura TSX PWP Tech Previous: 07 335i e90 with L.E.T. Flash
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01-18-2009, 07:02 PM	#3
jpsum Major 274 Rep 1,088 Posts Drives: 2010 TSX Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: New Haven area iTrader: (4)	All 3 series in the US are prewired with the SAT antenna in the sharkfin. One of those connectors is the SAT antenna. If I remember correctly, it is the black one with the dual port. Just plug your SAT radio antenna cable in one and see if it works; if not, then try the other one.
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01-19-2009, 07:50 AM	#4
fdiprete First Lieutenant 21 Rep 339 Posts Drives: 2014 512i xdrive Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: NH iTrader: (2)	Probably. The pic above looks like the bundle for the TCU (assist + bluetooth ) module. The Sat radio bundle is in the same location. it is 1 fiber connection and one antenna connection. To install: 1) get the right sat radio module for your VIN + mounting bracket 2) install module in trunk (search DYI on this forum for PDF) 3) configure MOST fiber loop (same DYI) 4) go to dealer for programming to include the module.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-19-2009, 11:46 PM	#5
Bora20 Lieutenant 17 Rep 464 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW X3 3.0si M-Sport Join Date: May 2006 Location: Kamloops, BC, CAD iTrader: (0)	So I am not prewired. I have searched and read several posts. Has anyone actually spent the money and time to add the proper harnessing and updated roof antenna? I doubt it. I am thinking that I would need the following: - roof antenna inner receiver (exterior painted portion to remain) - antenna cable from sharkfin to receiver - MOST fiber cable to connection block behind seat bolster - electrical connection from distribution panel (no idea where it is) - typical SAT receiver and installation bracket Ideas?? Thoughts??
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-21-2009, 07:21 AM	#6
fdiprete First Lieutenant 21 Rep 339 Posts Drives: 2014 512i xdrive Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: NH iTrader: (2)	wow - if your car is pre wired for the TCU but not the sat radio this is a first for me after reading the forums before I did my retrofit. is your head unit a hifi pro or business? If the wiring is indeed missing then this may become cost prohibitive. The $500 sat module is bad enough. (less used if you can find a used one for your car) Try starting at realoem.com, enter your VIN, and browse the parts lists. With the correct parts you can check getbmwparts and pellicanparts for ball park pricing. In addition to the harness (the power lead is in the black most connector by the way) I don't know how to tell if your shark fin has the antenna setup in it. Tricky.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-21-2009, 10:45 PM	#7
Bora20 Lieutenant 17 Rep 464 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW X3 3.0si M-Sport Join Date: May 2006 Location: Kamloops, BC, CAD iTrader: (0)	It is a Canadian spec 2006 car, with a 11/2005 build. I don't think that Sirius could be "legally" licensed in Canada back then. As part of the premium package it was prewired for telephone. I have the Logic 7 sound system and have ordered a Sirius Starmate 5 that I will be installing in the sunglass tray. I am going to epoxy the base unit in place in a fashion that the unit can be removed and the cover can be closed. Not going OEM and retrofitting the Sirius unit, harnessing, and antenna (Sharkfin doesn't have Sirius if you have do not have prewire) will allow me to purchase mudflaps, floor mats, sunglass tray, blacklines, and euro switch. Thanks for the info, but I know realoem.com quite well from my 2 BMW motorcycles.
	Appreciate 0 Quote