XM Radio Players for BMW

dug23 · 07-31-2006, 12:02 PM

Hello. Forgive me if this question is asked somewhere else. I searched for XM and XM Radio and received no hits, which really surprised me.

I am planning on getting the new 3 series coupe this fall. Currently, I have XM Radio and am very satisfied with it and want to keep using the service. However, as you know, BMW only offers Sirius as an option.

One possible solution for me is to by a portable XM player that has the FM transmitter (such as the high-end Pioneer player) thus allowing me to listen to the XM stations via an FM frequency. Do any of you own an adapter/player like this? If so, what has been your experience with the sound quality and which players have you tried?

I have heard mixed reviews on sites like Amazon.com and would appreciate your feedback about this and ideas for other options for me to keep my existing XM subscription and listen to it in my new car.

Thanks in advance to the replies.
Doug

KL2DC · 07-31-2006, 12:10 PM

Doug,

Some members have successfully and cleanly installed an XM setup in their e90s. The gist of it is that they are able to access the sharkfin antenna (for sat prep equipped e90) and wire it through to the front console. A unit like XM roady or XT will work. Also, you do not need nor want an FM transmitter as there is a handy aux in jack in your center console as well as a power point. Had I known this info, I would have skipped the full Sirius factory option...

Check this thread out for more details:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ighlight=radio

dug23 · 07-31-2006, 03:23 PM

KL2DC,

Thank you for the response and for the link to the thread above. One question does come to my mind right now because this is my first BMW so I am not familiar with their system.

I plan on getting the iPod connector that I saw on ipodyourbmw.com, which houses the iPod in the glovebox. If I use this set up for my iPod, I will still have the Aux input from the center console to use with my XM receiver, correct?

And what are the direct adapters that are mentioned in the thread? Apparently, some were expecting Audiovox to release one and someone else mentioned Blitzsafe. Thanks.

KL2DC · 07-31-2006, 03:31 PM

Doug, as far as I know its either the OEM CD changer or the ipod connector. These options do not affect your aux in as well as satellite radio option/wiring.

Audiovox was slated to release an Xm module (plugs in where your Sirius would). This is suggested to be a fully integrated solution (controllable through the head unit etc) but so far, I have not heard of any developments.

LarryK1000 · 07-31-2006, 04:58 PM

I have Sirius in my new 330 and hate it. I had XM in my MBZ and still have it in our Toyota.

XM has a tremendous number of repeaters in large cities, so the signal is fine even in parking structures. It's amazing compared to Sirius.

We have the Delphi Roady XT in the Toyota and it's absolutely great. Easy to use and sounds wonderful.

Since I have extra car kits, I have also put an extra XM antenna on the back shelf of the car (rear window) and hid it in the gap between the back shelf and back seat and brought it around to the center hump and then to the center armrest. Then I plugged in the XT into the Aux In of the Armrest. It sounds fantastic. You have to open the armrest to change channels, unless you decide to mount the XT further up on the center armrest or even in the ashtray. Surprisingly, the FM transmitter in the XT works just great. The Aux In has capacitors that limit bass response. The FM transmitter does NOT limit the bass, so the sound can be better with the FM. However, sometimes you get interference is a very strong station is broadcasting on the same frequency.

What it nice and somewhat unique about the Roady XT is that you can use ANY frequency for the transmitter. On some Sirius and XM units, there are a limited number of frequencies at both ends of the FM band that you are limited to. (E.g., in Los Angeles, it seems that there is a fairly large gap in stations in the middle of the FM band and THAT makes a perfect frequency to use.)

So, if you like XM, take a look at the Roady XT. And, by the way, the XT scrolls the information on Artist and Song Name, so you get the entire long line of information without truncation. Really nice.

Larry

fsabala · 07-31-2006, 10:46 PM

wat kind of connector should i use to connect my roady xt to the aux input?

LarryK1000 · 08-01-2006, 10:43 AM

It's just a standard stereo mini plug with male connectors on BOTH ends.

You can get them at Radio Shack and probably most electronics stores.

But, be sure and push the plug all the way in in the CAR Aux In plug because some people don't get stereo because they only push it in part way.

Larry

07-31-2006, 12:02 PM	#1
dug23 Enlisted Member 0 Rep 35 Posts Drives: Future BMW 335xi Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	XM Radio Players for BMW Hello. Forgive me if this question is asked somewhere else. I searched for XM and XM Radio and received no hits, which really surprised me. I am planning on getting the new 3 series coupe this fall. Currently, I have XM Radio and am very satisfied with it and want to keep using the service. However, as you know, BMW only offers Sirius as an option. One possible solution for me is to by a portable XM player that has the FM transmitter (such as the high-end Pioneer player) thus allowing me to listen to the XM stations via an FM frequency. Do any of you own an adapter/player like this? If so, what has been your experience with the sound quality and which players have you tried? I have heard mixed reviews on sites like Amazon.com and would appreciate your feedback about this and ideas for other options for me to keep my existing XM subscription and listen to it in my new car. Thanks in advance to the replies. Doug
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07-31-2006, 12:10 PM	#2
KL2DC Moderator 326 Rep 17,767 Posts Drives: F36 428i,E90 328i, E85 Z4 3.0i Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: DC Metro iTrader: (23) Garage List 2015 F36 428i [0.00] 2011 E90 328i [0.00] 2006 E85 Z4 3.0i [0.00]	Doug, Some members have successfully and cleanly installed an XM setup in their e90s. The gist of it is that they are able to access the sharkfin antenna (for sat prep equipped e90) and wire it through to the front console. A unit like XM roady or XT will work. Also, you do not need nor want an FM transmitter as there is a handy aux in jack in your center console as well as a power point. Had I known this info, I would have skipped the full Sirius factory option... Check this thread out for more details: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ighlight=radio __________________ Official DC Metro Registry - Current, New & Prospective Area Members Roll Call!
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07-31-2006, 03:23 PM	#3
dug23 Enlisted Member 0 Rep 35 Posts Drives: Future BMW 335xi Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	KL2DC, Thank you for the response and for the link to the thread above. One question does come to my mind right now because this is my first BMW so I am not familiar with their system. I plan on getting the iPod connector that I saw on ipodyourbmw.com, which houses the iPod in the glovebox. If I use this set up for my iPod, I will still have the Aux input from the center console to use with my XM receiver, correct? And what are the direct adapters that are mentioned in the thread? Apparently, some were expecting Audiovox to release one and someone else mentioned Blitzsafe. Thanks.
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07-31-2006, 03:31 PM	#4
KL2DC Moderator 326 Rep 17,767 Posts Drives: F36 428i,E90 328i, E85 Z4 3.0i Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: DC Metro iTrader: (23) Garage List 2015 F36 428i [0.00] 2011 E90 328i [0.00] 2006 E85 Z4 3.0i [0.00]	Doug, as far as I know its either the OEM CD changer or the ipod connector. These options do not affect your aux in as well as satellite radio option/wiring. Audiovox was slated to release an Xm module (plugs in where your Sirius would). This is suggested to be a fully integrated solution (controllable through the head unit etc) but so far, I have not heard of any developments. __________________ Official DC Metro Registry - Current, New & Prospective Area Members Roll Call!
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07-31-2006, 04:58 PM	#5
LarryK1000 Larry from Los Angeles 15 Rep 296 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Los Angeles (SFV) iTrader: (0)	I have Sirius in my new 330 and hate it. I had XM in my MBZ and still have it in our Toyota. XM has a tremendous number of repeaters in large cities, so the signal is fine even in parking structures. It's amazing compared to Sirius. We have the Delphi Roady XT in the Toyota and it's absolutely great. Easy to use and sounds wonderful. Since I have extra car kits, I have also put an extra XM antenna on the back shelf of the car (rear window) and hid it in the gap between the back shelf and back seat and brought it around to the center hump and then to the center armrest. Then I plugged in the XT into the Aux In of the Armrest. It sounds fantastic. You have to open the armrest to change channels, unless you decide to mount the XT further up on the center armrest or even in the ashtray. Surprisingly, the FM transmitter in the XT works just great. The Aux In has capacitors that limit bass response. The FM transmitter does NOT limit the bass, so the sound can be better with the FM. However, sometimes you get interference is a very strong station is broadcasting on the same frequency. What it nice and somewhat unique about the Roady XT is that you can use ANY frequency for the transmitter. On some Sirius and XM units, there are a limited number of frequencies at both ends of the FM band that you are limited to. (E.g., in Los Angeles, it seems that there is a fairly large gap in stations in the middle of the FM band and THAT makes a perfect frequency to use.) So, if you like XM, take a look at the Roady XT. And, by the way, the XT scrolls the information on Artist and Song Name, so you get the entire long line of information without truncation. Really nice. Larry
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07-31-2006, 10:46 PM	#6
fsabala Private 2 Rep 53 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 325XI Join Date: May 2006 Location: NEW JERSEY iTrader: (0)	wat kind of connector should i use to connect my roady xt to the aux input?
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08-01-2006, 10:43 AM	#7
LarryK1000 Larry from Los Angeles 15 Rep 296 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Los Angeles (SFV) iTrader: (0)	It's just a standard stereo mini plug with male connectors on BOTH ends. You can get them at Radio Shack and probably most electronics stores. But, be sure and push the plug all the way in in the CAR Aux In plug because some people don't get stereo because they only push it in part way. Larry
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