[Mr. BMW]

I can't decide if I want to spend the extra $$ on the Satellite radio. If I get just the pre-wiring can I add an aftermarket unit later or only the BMW unit?

Do you get a free year of Sirius when you buy the car?

[bimmer4me]

Yes, you get a free year of Sirius. The main reason I got Sirius was because at the time I bought my car, Sirius offered a lifetime subscription for an extra $350. I don't know if that deal is still going on now, however. For me, it's so-so. Tons of commercials on the talk channels which is really annoying. The music stations sound maybe as good as FM stations. I'm not a Stern guy so that isn't compelling. In summary, only with the lifetime subscription is it worth it, IMO, and it's a low priority option. Comfort Access is money better spent than Sirius, IMO.

[MJB]

Only if...

a. you are looking good variety - jazz, rock, r&b, classical, talk radio, professional sports, etc..
b. drive a lot out of the city
c. want a nicely integrated sat solution

Not if you are looking for cd sound quality. Sound is better than most FM stations but not quite as good as CDs.

The cost includes 1 year of Sirius paid for by BMW (in reality paid by you - if you know what I mean -

[itznin]

I have it and I have the lifetime subscription.

It IS in fact worth it at $350 for lifetime (after roughly $150 credit for 1 year included)

Keep in mind you HAVE to do the lifetime the FIRST MONTH you have the car in order to get the full refund.

If you don't it will deduct $12.95 per month for every month used up until 12 months.

The DJ shows are good, there aren't any commercials on the music stations only the talk shows as listed above.

Sterns show is good, Maxim radio I think is actually better than Stern (Covino and Rich), NFL Radio and the life sporting events are good.

Nascar comes to Sirius next year (XM lost that contract).

I feel it is a must have, FM radio sucks.........

[SteveMD]

I'm very dissapointed with the sat radio quality in the 330. I have a standalone Sirius and XM receivers in other cars, in the house etc. and using FM modulators the sound quality is 500% better than the built in unit in the BMW.

Anyone else notice crappy quality? All you have to do is tune into a good FM station and the sound quality is so obviously better. I'm half inclined to hide my Starmate Sirius unit somewhere, set it for an FM station and use the remote that came with it.

[itznin]

Originally Posted by SteveMD

I'm very dissapointed with the sat radio quality in the 330. I have a standalone Sirius and XM receivers in other cars, in the house etc. and using FM modulators the sound quality is 500% better than the built in unit in the BMW.

Anyone else notice crappy quality? All you have to do is tune into a good FM station and the sound quality is so obviously better. I'm half inclined to hide my Starmate Sirius unit somewhere, set it for an FM station and use the remote that came with it.

I've heard similar complaints but I really don't have any sound quality complaints.

Another point - With so much talk radio/comedy/stern/sports and uncensored commercial free music long drives are actually enjoyable.

CD's and Mp3's are good but how many times can you hear the same songs, time seems to go faster when you are hearing variety of different things.

[ashecnc]

Originally Posted by SteveMD

I'm very dissapointed with the sat radio quality in the 330. I have a standalone Sirius and XM receivers in other cars, in the house etc. and using FM modulators the sound quality is 500% better than the built in unit in the BMW.

Anyone else notice crappy quality? All you have to do is tune into a good FM station and the sound quality is so obviously better. I'm half inclined to hide my Starmate Sirius unit somewhere, set it for an FM station and use the remote that came with it.

I have a stand alone XM radio unit myself, and I love it....so maybe I am better off just using that...

[KL2DC]

Originally Posted by SteveMD

I'm very dissapointed with the sat radio quality in the 330. I have a standalone Sirius and XM receivers in other cars, in the house etc. and using FM modulators the sound quality is 500% better than the built in unit in the BMW.

Since we are in the general vicinity, I am quite concerned about the reception/sound quality of Full Sirius install in the DC Metro area and reading your post is only fueling that. Oth another poster stated he was getting strong reception in this area with no issues. I wonder what the general consensus is and if/whether owners with less than satisfactory reception/sound quality is in need of their SAs attention.

XM supposedly would have better overall signal strength as iirc they trump Sirius by 1 add satellite and many more ground repeaters.

[mmeads]

Originally Posted by itznin

...Keep in mind you HAVE to do the lifetime the FIRST MONTH you have the car in order to get the full refund.

Can you explain what you did to get the lifetime subscription. Did you call up serius to switch to that instead of yearly? Did your CA handle it for you?

[itznin]

Bottom line here = Satellite radio is a new and coming technology it will only improve with time.

Sirius I agree is strides behind in terms of "technology" but it is far and beyond in terms of content (talent, etc.)

Aside from Opie and Anthony (in which I stream daily online at work and can't live without) XM really isn't that great..........

But as for O&A they are worth an online subscription alone!

[KL2DC]

Originally Posted by Mr. BMW

I can't decide if I want to spend the extra $$ on the Satellite radio.

If you are still undecided you should order the sat prep at a bare minimum, it's a no brainer at $75 and should've come standard seeing how all US e90s come with the shark fin.

For your further consideration, Audiovox is coming out with an XM direct tuner component specifically for BMW and MB models (I am guessing plug and play) sometime soon.

[mmeads]

Originally Posted by bimmer4me

... it's a low priority option. Comfort Access is money better spent than Sirius...

I can always press a button to get into my car, I can't always find good music on the radio.

IMHO: Sirius >> CA

[itznin]

Originally Posted by mmeads

Can you explain what you did to get the lifetime subscription. Did you call up serius to switch to that instead of yearly? Did your CA handle it for you?

If you go to www.sirius.com and you go to "Get Sirius" then go to "Pick Your Plan"

You will see the lifetime plan at $499.99, and if you get antoher car or another unit you can transfer your subscription for a fee of $75.

To break it down it's like this:
$499.99 - $155.40 (1 year subscription included with BMW @ $12.95 per month for 12 months) = $344.59 out of your pocket for LIFETIME subscripton.

No the CA didn't handle anything regarding Sirius, in fact he didn't even know you get 1 year free.

[ward]

I love stern, but there's a maxim channel that I often end up listening to instead of stern....

the content is amazing!

[itznin]

Originally Posted by itznin

Sterns show is good, Maxim radio I think is actually better than Stern (Covino and Rich), NFL Radio and the life sporting events are good.

We agree Ward

[desinole]

I have had XM for the past 4-5 months and recently I rented a car from Hertz. I got a free upgrade and the car came with Sirius.

Case in point. Sirius Sucked as compared to XM. It could have been a personal thing, but I could not find any intresting music and their top 20 channel, had hits from a zillion years ago, it just did not make any sense. My girl friend was getting pissed.

Also, there is much talk that Sirius and XM will merge (given their losses this year) in the near future. So you would be better off getting the pre wiring, but do not spend the money on satellite radio yet. Things will get cheaper in the near future, in the meanwhile goto a site like itunes or allofmp3.com and download a few hundred songs and burn em. Ooh with allofmp3.com you could get and entire CD for a buck.

Save the money, get CA or still better, send me a check ;-)

My $.02

[KevinC]

Originally Posted by itznin

To break it down it's like this:
$499.99 - $155.40 (1 year subscription included with BMW @ $12.95 per month for 12 months) = $344.59 out of your pocket for LIFETIME subscripton.

Just went to sign up and it's not showing me any credit for the initial year (and I just activated within the last 2 weeks) - it wants to bill me the full $499.99 - did they do away with credit for the initial year?

[Barry626]

Originally Posted by KevinC

Just went to sign up and it's not showing me any credit for the initial year (and I just activated within the last 2 weeks) - it wants to bill me the full $499.99 - did they do away with credit for the initial year?

Don't know about others? But I had to call mine in to get lifetime for $350.00.

[itznin]

Originally Posted by KevinC

Just went to sign up and it's not showing me any credit for the initial year (and I just activated within the last 2 weeks) - it wants to bill me the full $499.99 - did they do away with credit for the initial year?

Yes call in............

[redrover]

Originally Posted by Mr. BMW

I can't decide if I want to spend the extra $$ on the Satellite radio. If I get just the pre-wiring can I add an aftermarket unit later or only the BMW unit?

Do you get a free year of Sirius when you buy the car?

How does one getthe 150 ??? Can I get it by buying the BMW oem sirius unit for my 2003 330 convertible???

Thanks

[Fenianz]

Originally Posted by KevinC

Just went to sign up and it's not showing me any credit for the initial year (and I just activated within the last 2 weeks) - it wants to bill me the full $499.99 - did they do away with credit for the initial year?

I think you need to call in and give them your Sirius Receiver number.