Shark Fin Antenna

[LarryE]

Re: 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 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.

Car_54 ... you and I finally agree on something! Yipee!

 

[donmbmw]

So now that that's settled, are we all one big happy family again?[:X]

 

[k3nny]

i have a BMW business head unit and it comes with the shark fin antenna.

according to the users manual, its for the head unit, and also for the key apparently..
;atresr

 

[LarryE]

i have a BMW business head unit and it comes with the shark fin antenna.

according to the users manual, its for the head unit, and also for the key apparently..
;atresr

What's a "BMW business head unit"?

 

[k3nny]

the radio in your car..the thing with the buttons and where the cd/cassette goes in, is commonly known as a head unit and the model i have is the one that says BMW Business...

henceforth BMW Business Head UNit

 

[LarryE]

the radio in your car..the thing with the buttons and where the cd/cassette goes in, is commonly known as a head unit and the model i have is the one that says BMW Business...

henceforth BMW Business Head UNit

)

What year is your car? Do you have BMW Assist?

 

[xi guy]

Snowsedan....

Car is great...you're right...the thing is killer in snow and ice. I took it out in a pretty bad storm and it was like I was on dry pavement. Awesome. I also agree regarding the manual tranny. I couldnt imagine having an auto. THe car really doesnt get up and go in the low gears until you're over 4K on the tach. I've had no problems as well (knock wood). Very satisfied with the purchase.....

Stay well!

 

[bmwrocks]

i have a BMW business head unit and it comes with the shark fin antenna.

according to the users manual, its for the head unit, and also for the key apparently..
;atresr

OK, I guess this throws a wrench into the works eh snowsedan. Here's an owner who has the sharkfin AND documentation (and has an Aussie version of our car!!!) AND says it is for the key and the head unit somehow.......

k3nny, Can you please quote EXACTLY what the users manual says about the sharkfin???

 

[snowsedan04]

Hey Rock, I could have sworn you DEFINITELY knew it wasn't for the radio. Now you source someone who says it is for the radio. DEFINITELY better make up your mind. But don't hurt yourself.


XI Guy: Glad to hear you are enjoying the ride. It's a blast to drive after having an SUV for several years. Enjoy!!

 

[bmwrocks]

Hey Rock, I could have sworn you DEFINITELY knew it wasn't for the radio. Now you source someone who says it is for the radio. DEFINITELY better make up your mind. But don't hurt yourself.

From what I can gather on the internet, the fin has been standard equip in Australia 3-series since 2001. They use it for the radio at the very least. I was wrong on count 1, but I never considered Aussie cars.

In the US, I have read the fin is installed with the cellular phone.

I don't think a US 3 series with just the radio has a fin do you? I know a US 3 series with radio and GPS does not have a fin, my car (and many others) are examples. I do not have cellular phone or BMW assist, nor do I personally know anyone who does. So I can't comment on those, and haven't.

One more time and hopefully the last, what equipment do you have that I don't that could have added the fin?

 

[Andi]

Over here in Germany the Shark fin is only installed if you have an GSM cell phone installed. The GPS antenna is definetly inside the car. But for the cell phone you really want the antenne on the outside of the car (Not that much power loss).

Andi

 

[ThinkingBMW]

Now I'm completely confused. Over on:

http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/forumdisplay.php?f=9

there's been a lot of discussion on the shark fin and how to avoid having it installed. The consensus there is that you can avoid the fin if you don't get the premium package, which includes BMW assist. Those who don't want the fin, but want all of the premium-package stuff (e.g., leather seats, moonroof, etc.) are advised to order them separately.

Personally, I don't think the fin looks that bad and like the BMW assist feature. My biggest complaint is that with BMW assist, you can't have Bluetooth.