2004 E46 XM Install - AWESOME!!!

[Silva]

Yo,

I posted awhile back about installing XM in an '04 325 with HK Stereo, did some research and found its a walk in the park! Once installed, you use your factory head unit (no stupid external display), you can have up to 18 presets, see all Artist/Song info, and even SCAN the categories!


What to get:
XMD Tuner
http://www.logjamelectronics.com/terkxmdirect.html
and
Blitxsafe BMW/Mini SLD01 adapter ('03 and newer ONLY):
http://www.logjamelectronics.com/blitzbmwminisld01.html

The instructions that come with the Blitzsafe explain the install to the 't'. Pull the liner back in your trunk, hook the Blitzsafe adapter into the 6 pin audio, and 3 pin power (see important note at bottom) in your trunk, connect the RCA's and power to the XMD unit, and run the antenna. (Going against the instructions, I tried the antenna inside the car on the rear deck for a day... They aren't kidding, it sounds like absolute crap if you don't stick it on the trunk lid!)

Considering I like XM better than Sirius, and its $300 cheaper than getting the dealer to install Sirius, it was a no brainer for me...

Note about the 3 pin power - Do NOT use the purple cables, they are for the cell phone. Instead find the black 3 pin power connector with Brown/Red/White cables, and a black 6 pin block, those are the correct CD Changer connectors.

Another Note: The SLD01 has a passthrough that can be used for a CD Changer, or, according to the dude at Blitzsafe, an upcoming iPod adapter!

 

[theBMWenthusiast]

i haven't seen a install like this, got a camera so we can see how nicely it fit in?

 

[TheBry]

Bummer it's not compatible with Navigation equipped cars.

 

[bmwrocks]

Bummer it's not compatible with Navigation equipped cars.

I can't see any reason why it wouldn't be??? I have a similar setup with my CD changer and the XM is just another input into the system.

 

[MrElussive]

yo it doesn't matter if your car is compatible or not. It is SO easy to get Sirius or XM radio hooked up to your car. As long as your car has speakers and a head unit, you can do it.

Go get Sirius satellite radio (that's what I have, so I can only attest to that) and you can thank me later. It makes regular radio look like shit...even the fact that regular radio is free is not justification enough, compared to satellite radio.

 

[TheBry]

I was referring to the link that Silva originally posted. The parts are specifically for "non-nav equipped" cars.

 

[MrElussive]

I was referring to the link that Silva originally posted. The parts are specifically for "non-nav equipped" cars.

I hear ya. I was just suggesting that you're far from SOL just because of this one product. You still have a bunch of options of getting satellite radio into your car while still maintaining the clean, factory look of your interior.

 

[CaveDweller]

I'm more of a Sirius guy. har har.

How does the unit know to play from the CD changer as opposed to the XM unit? Sirius has an Ai-net compatible unit with a pass-through connector for the changer built into it. It appears to bypass the need for an additional Blitzsafe adapter beyond the one I have for my changer. (I actually have the Soundgate, but they do the same thing)

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-ZhR9lZy2Hbf/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=176850&I=607SIRALP1

I'd rather not use an additional adapter if possible since I already have the one for the Alpine CHA-S634 in my trunk.