Shark Fin Antenna
- Thread starter ebjamin
- Start date
No. The nice-looking, factory-installed "sharkfin" is strickly for the navigational system. Satallite uses an aftermarket antenna that is installed in the same place as where you see the sharkfin but looks more flat. Regardless of whether you buy the satellite system at the time or purchase or 6 months down the road, it is not a factory installed option as of right now. It is still an aftermarket product that BMW integrates with the Business head unit.
BTW, you cannot get the Sirius installed if you have a navigation system. You'll need a complete aftermarket system otherwise.
Good luck.
JAF
BTW, you cannot get the Sirius installed if you have a navigation system. You'll need a complete aftermarket system otherwise.
Good luck.
JAF
I am not sure where you got your information, but the sharkfin is not installed on 3 series with navigation. I have never seen a pic of a 3 series with a functional sharkfin. In fact the only pic I have ever seen of a 3 with a fin is in my coupe brochure. And that 330Ci has other features which no US 330 coupe has....such as a middle rear seat headrest.
The GPS antenna is mounted in the rear deck.
Maybe the fin is for some other sys like BMW assist? Does anyone know?
The GPS antenna is mounted in the rear deck.
Maybe the fin is for some other sys like BMW assist? Does anyone know?
Just because the dealer says it, I wouldn't consider it gospel.
What radio? Your AM-FM? It is DEFINITELY NOT for that. We have diversity antennas embedded in our rear windshield for that. And the GPS? Again, the GPS antenna is in the rear deck, invisible. The shark fin is not for either the radio or the GPS, that I am sure of.
Do you have BMW assist?
What radio? Your AM-FM? It is DEFINITELY NOT for that. We have diversity antennas embedded in our rear windshield for that. And the GPS? Again, the GPS antenna is in the rear deck, invisible. The shark fin is not for either the radio or the GPS, that I am sure of.
Do you have BMW assist?
XI Guy
Great! Loving the car, and it looks like we got one more day of the wet and sloppy stuff to use the AWD. The car is unreal when the pavement is wet or if there's a few inches of snow. Haven't had any problems, knock wood. But I am glad I got the manual tranny because the car is a bit weak beyond first gear when the RPMs are below 3500. On the other hand, if it had the power of the 330 I would have several tickets already.
How's your ride?
Great! Loving the car, and it looks like we got one more day of the wet and sloppy stuff to use the AWD. The car is unreal when the pavement is wet or if there's a few inches of snow. Haven't had any problems, knock wood. But I am glad I got the manual tranny because the car is a bit weak beyond first gear when the RPMs are below 3500. On the other hand, if it had the power of the 330 I would have several tickets already.
How's your ride?
Thanks guys,
Talked with a BMW dealer this morning, the shark fin is only available from the factory. If you decide to have the sat radio installed at a later date ask to see the Antenna they put on your car (I asked to see it this morning) it's huge and ugly as hell, destroys the look of your car. Looks like a horseshoe crab is super glued to the roof of your car.
ebjamin
Talked with a BMW dealer this morning, the shark fin is only available from the factory. If you decide to have the sat radio installed at a later date ask to see the Antenna they put on your car (I asked to see it this morning) it's huge and ugly as hell, destroys the look of your car. Looks like a horseshoe crab is super glued to the roof of your car.
ebjamin
Make up your mind my friend. First you said radio and GPS. Now you say GPS and cellphone. I have GPS and no sharkfin. No one with only GPS has a sharkfin. All GPS owners will verify this. THE GPS ANTENNA IS NOT THE SHARKFIN. Did you hear it that time?
Now as for the cellphone, if you are talking the bluetooth version, it does not use the sharkfin either. If you are talking about some other cellphone, then I have no idea.
The fin is for BMW assist.
Now once again because you did not answer last time.....DO YOU HAVE BMW ASSIST?
Now as for the cellphone, if you are talking the bluetooth version, it does not use the sharkfin either. If you are talking about some other cellphone, then I have no idea.
The fin is for BMW assist.
Now once again because you did not answer last time.....DO YOU HAVE BMW ASSIST?
Guys ... your welcome to your opinion. But I am telling you that the sharkfin was not needed on the cars prior to 2004 that had radios and GPS (for Nav). And all of a sudden the sharkfins showed up on the 2004 models ... and BMW Assist also showed up on the 2004 models for the first time. The sharkfin supports the BMW Assist.
People... try and relax...
The shark fin is installed in the new BMW's for aerodynamic and intimidation reasons... seems the slipping steptronic transmission has made owners feel impotent to deal with lack of acceleration. Who among us is not afraid of being eaten alive![[paranoid]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_paranoid.gif "Paranoid [paranoid]")
by a shark? If you cannot accelerate fast at least you can look tough. The fin is effective!
On a serious note, the fin is for BMW assist (GPS) and future cell phone capabilities. Radio diversity antenna is integrated into rear window. Fact.![[thumb]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_thumb.gif "Thumbs Up [thumb]")
![[wave]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_wave.gif "Wave [wave]")
The shark fin is installed in the new BMW's for aerodynamic and intimidation reasons... seems the slipping steptronic transmission has made owners feel impotent to deal with lack of acceleration. Who among us is not afraid of being eaten alive
by a shark? If you cannot accelerate fast at least you can look tough. The fin is effective! On a serious note, the fin is for BMW assist (GPS) and future cell phone capabilities. Radio diversity antenna is integrated into rear window. Fact.