What determines Sat Radio's part number requirement?

Cy3 · 11-11-2009, 08:40 PM

Hey all...

Since BMW changed the part number on their Sirius Receivers a couple of times over the past couple of years, what determines the necessary part number.

Typically its model build date; but over the summer the pixels on my headunit start to fade with the heat...replaced under warranty i received a brand new headunit.

My question is can I still buy the Sirius unit based on my model year or should i find out specifically what head unit was installed and buy a Sat Unit that matches that specific model.

Thx in advance!

JayKay335i · 11-12-2009, 03:20 AM

I would assume its the same since they all use a fiber optic connection. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong. I've never heard of different models of the receiver.

fdiprete · 11-12-2009, 07:38 AM

good question.

The head unit is the controller for the most bus so the peripherals could be affected. To answer the question, first find out if your new head unit is also correct for your car model year/month. check the pn on the unit against realoem.com.

Cy3 · 11-12-2009, 08:04 AM

Took a look at my receipt from my trip in last July and they replaced the head unit with the most up-to-date model: 61-12-918-9-200. I will call my SA today to see if I should purchase the Sirius unit for build date year 8/2005 or for the headunit year 2007ish. Ill let you know what i find out; thank you all for your assistance...let me know if you have any additional ideas.

Cy

JayKay335i · 11-12-2009, 10:25 AM

Let us know. I'm definitely curious about this.

Dracon · 11-12-2009, 11:35 AM

It's based on your model year of the car. The older Satellite radio units have a dual antenna input (one for satellite, another for terrestrial repeaters) that comes from the sharkfin, the newer satellite radio units have a single antenna input (satellite and terrestrial signals combined).

You need to check your prewiring (if you were prewired for Sirius) to see if you have a dual input (gray connector) or a single input (i think it's pink).

Cy3 · 11-13-2009, 03:41 PM

Dracon is spot-on...I called BMW of Fairfax and the SA was insistant that it remained the "Model year (Build date)" that determined your SAT receiver requirements.

Thank you Dracon, I double checked that I (a) was prewired and (b) had the dual antenna inputs.

Thank you all!

11-11-2009, 08:40 PM	#1
Cy3 Private 1 Rep 91 Posts Drives: 2013 Audi S4 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: NoVa. iTrader: (1)	What determines Sat Radio's part number requirement? Hey all... Since BMW changed the part number on their Sirius Receivers a couple of times over the past couple of years, what determines the necessary part number. Typically its model build date; but over the summer the pixels on my headunit start to fade with the heat...replaced under warranty i received a brand new headunit. My question is can I still buy the Sirius unit based on my model year or should i find out specifically what head unit was installed and buy a Sat Unit that matches that specific model. Thx in advance!
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11-12-2009, 03:20 AM	#2
JayKay335i Banned 198 Rep 5,046 Posts Drives: ///M323 DCT Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: North Dakota; its best DUHHHHHH iTrader: (1)	I would assume its the same since they all use a fiber optic connection. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong. I've never heard of different models of the receiver.
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11-12-2009, 07:38 AM	#3
fdiprete First Lieutenant 23 Rep 339 Posts Drives: 2014 512i xdrive Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: NH iTrader: (2)	good question. The head unit is the controller for the most bus so the peripherals could be affected. To answer the question, first find out if your new head unit is also correct for your car model year/month. check the pn on the unit against realoem.com.
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11-12-2009, 08:04 AM	#4
Cy3 Private 1 Rep 91 Posts Drives: 2013 Audi S4 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: NoVa. iTrader: (1)	Took a look at my receipt from my trip in last July and they replaced the head unit with the most up-to-date model: 61-12-918-9-200. I will call my SA today to see if I should purchase the Sirius unit for build date year 8/2005 or for the headunit year 2007ish. Ill let you know what i find out; thank you all for your assistance...let me know if you have any additional ideas. Cy
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11-12-2009, 10:25 AM	#5
JayKay335i Banned 198 Rep 5,046 Posts Drives: ///M323 DCT Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: North Dakota; its best DUHHHHHH iTrader: (1)	Let us know. I'm definitely curious about this.
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11-12-2009, 11:35 AM	#6
Dracon Major 557 Rep 1,244 Posts Drives: 2013 F10 M5 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Out and About iTrader: (34) Garage List 2013 BMW M5 [0.00]	It's based on your model year of the car. The older Satellite radio units have a dual antenna input (one for satellite, another for terrestrial repeaters) that comes from the sharkfin, the newer satellite radio units have a single antenna input (satellite and terrestrial signals combined). You need to check your prewiring (if you were prewired for Sirius) to see if you have a dual input (gray connector) or a single input (i think it's pink).
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11-13-2009, 03:41 PM	#7
Cy3 Private 1 Rep 91 Posts Drives: 2013 Audi S4 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: NoVa. iTrader: (1)	Dracon is spot-on...I called BMW of Fairfax and the SA was insistant that it remained the "Model year (Build date)" that determined your SAT receiver requirements. Thank you Dracon, I double checked that I (a) was prewired and (b) had the dual antenna inputs. Thank you all!
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