XM Radio in MINI

[DigiMini]

I have been researching XM satellite radio, and im curious to know if anybody out there has the unit installed? if so do you like it and is it worth the investment? Also do you think the unit would fit in front of the cup holders in that empty space, because it would be an awesome place to mount the unit. Thanks!!

[suprchrgdmini]

i have the xm radio in my car and i love it. the uncensored comedy channel pays the 9.99 monthly fee . the channel is priceless. the quality of the music is also alot better. it depends on what unit you are getting . i know the pioneer fm modulated unit will fit back there.

[ScooterMan]

Pics, por favor?

[DigiMini]

i'm looking at www.xmradio.com and they have a $75 rebate for the sony unit and it definetly looks small enough to fit in front of the cupholders. i really need to put something there its an eye sore.

[wps]

I have the Sony unit and although my MCS has not arrived, I doubt the unit will fit in the cup holder. There is an adapter that the Sony needs for auto use that has the power plug as well as the antenna and audio out. I believe it's too big for the cup holder.

WPS

[scooterboy]

The Sony PnP unit should fit between/behind the downtubes without any problem. A spot of velcro should be all it needs.

Oh, and use an FM modulator that connects inline with your antenna. Don't waste your time/money on an over-the-air type. I recommend the Jensen unit - KVFM-something or other.

And I agree it's worth it. My favorite thing is that the decades channels (60s,70s,80,s etc) don't play the same 20 hits over and over like the oldies FM stations do. They play a lot of the more obscure non-mega hits.

[stryder]

Quote:

Originally posted by scooterboy
Oh, and use an FM modulator that connects inline with your antenna. Don't waste your time/money on an over-the-air type. I recommend the Jensen unit - KVFM-something or other.

My reccomendation, don't use an FM modulator, just use one of the various Aux input options, depending on what year your car is, etc. Then you get easy access, and highest quality sound. (And if you can make your own for an '03, its cheap too)

[normalizer]

I've got the first generation Sony PnP in mine, with the cradle on the dash. It would definitely look better on the floor between the downtubes but if memory serves me correctly, it wouldn't fit.... don't remember exactly but I am preety sure I checked that.

XM is awesome, definitely worth the money. Sound quality is near cd, much better than Sirius, and the programming is awesome.

I have 5 presets on my radio: 1. XM Music Labs (progressive rock i.e. King Crimson, Rush, Genesis, YES) 2. Fox News 3. Luna (latin jazz) 4. Fred (college alt. rock) 5. XM Comedy (XXX, not for kids)

Some of my other frequent favs are Franks Place (Sinatra, Ella, etc,) Bluesville, Chrome (disco,) Ngoma (african pop.) The Vault (Zappa, Jethro Tull, Floyd,) and Hank's Place (classic country.)

If you ever decide to replace the headunit wth something aftermarket, get one that's XM compatible, Will sound better and have a much cleaner installation.