Sirius Radio in '05 BMW

[twtbmw]

My wife's car is a 2005 325i and is pre-wired for the Sirius radio through the in-car radio head unit.
Of those who have used this option, how does it compare to general use of Sat. Radio going through a plug & play unit on the dash?
Is it worth the $495.00 for the head unit adapter?

Thanks in advance.

Tom

 

[rickray]

I have the XM Adaptor and it works very well. Hooked it up myself in 10 min.
Do your homework on Sirius. The reception is has lots of "dead spots". I have XM and love it.
FWIW...
Sirius = 2 million subscribers
XM= 5 million subscribers

 

[kaburke]

Agree with rickray. Go with XM using the BlitzSafe adapter. Sounds great, is a much cheaper option, and it works with your BMW headunit. If you go with the XM adapter, be sure to get the correct one based on whether or not you have the CD changer installed (or would like to install it in the future).

 

[Kirby]

Sirius has topped 3 million subscribers, and FWIW I have no dead spot issues with Sirius (other than at traffic lights under bridges, lol)

 

[twtbmw]

Thanks guys...I already have XM in my truck and Harley so I'll stick with it and put the adapter in the wife's 325i...
Nothing against Sirius from my viewpoint. It's just that I'd rather add to my family account with XM rather than start another one with Sirius...

Thanks again..

 

[batman]

Thanks guys...I already have XM in my truck and Harley so I'll stick with it and put the adapter in the wife's 325i...

Good choice...

 

[deutsch100]

Ihave the factory wired Sirius in my 06 330i, and I love it. Yes, there are dead spots, but I can't imagine that XM doesn't have them in the same places (under freeway/highway concrete under passes, and driving thru high canyons/mountains).

I have not used the radio "tuner" in over a month. LOVE Satellite radio!!!

 

[twtbmw]

Just thought I'd let you guys know I installed the XM direct unit in my wife's 325i last night and it's a great invisible install and intetration into the head unit.... and all the steering wheel and head unit functions are unchanged.

I'd highly recommend it to anybody who wants XM and not the factory high priced Sirius install in thier bimmer....

 

[LarryE]

No dead spots with Sirius on my '04 325XI. Mine is also pre-wired and the dealer wanted $800 to enable the integrated unit. Compare to $79 for Starmate, $80 for the install, $15 for 2 years extended warranty = $174. I don't even care if the Starmate isn't as good. It just isn't worth $800. So far, reception has been fine.