[avol3xo]

I recently bought a 2011 335i E92 and when I got ready to transfer my SiriusXM account to the car, the Sirius operator said the VIN was not found with satellite. I went to the local BMW dealer and at first they asked the year and said yeah it already has satellite, it just needs to be "reprogrammed", they said it would take like 15min. Then they come out with an invoice quoting $1500+ to install a brand new head unit, and I said yall told me it was already in the car, he said no certain build dates from something 2010 to 9-2010 didnt get it installed.

So I went to the bmwvin website this morning and it said this:
Code S693A - "Preparation BMW Satellite Radio"

Does that not mean that satellite radio should already be in my vehicle and the dealer is screwing me around? I just find it hard to believe that a car built in 2011 wouldnt have satellite radio set up whether or not it's activated. Help please!

[alex2364]

Satellite preparation means you have the wiring but still need the receiver.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=831
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=467042
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=355467

[avol3xo]

Originally Posted by alex2364

Satellite preparation means you have the wiring but still need the receiver.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=831
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=467042
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=355467

Thanks, so to get the receiver I need a whole new HU? That's what the dealer said at least. It seems like if they prewired it, there should be an easier way to get it activated.

[Juiced46]

Do you have navigation?

Most 2011 vehicles (depending on production date) have sat radio already installed, however its not enabled if you didnt get the sat radio option. All you need is programming. Should cost somewhere around 400-500. Not 1500. There are no additional parts needed.

Can you give me the last 7 of your VIN I can check

[avol3xo]

Originally Posted by Juiced46

Do you have navigation?

Most 2011 vehicles (depending on production date) have sat radio already installed, however its not enabled if you didnt get the sat radio option. All you need is programming. Should cost somewhere around 400-500. Not 1500. There are no additional parts needed.

Can you give me the last 7 of your VIN I can check

No nav here: E262826

[alex2364]

Originally Posted by avol3xo

Thanks, so to get the receiver I need a whole new HU? That's what the dealer said at least. It seems like if they prewired it, there should be an easier way to get it activated.

The receiver is installed in the trunk and it seems like this guy got it installed for $725 so your dealer is ripping you off. You can try shopping around.

Read this http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...7&postcount=21

[Juiced46]

Ok I checked your VIN here is the deal. Your car was produced in 9/10. 9/10 was the changeover from when cars came with the sat radio installed(built into the headunit) and just need programming. Your car may or may not have this its hard for me to tell. Some 9/10 production vehicles can get away with just programming to enable the sat, if your radio has the satellite connections/wiring built into it. (some headunits did not in 9/10 production)

Easiest way to check is to pull the radio out and see if the back of it has the connections/wiring for sat radio. If its not on the back of the radio, you need a headunit. If the wiring/connections are there at the back of the headunit, all you need to do is get the car programmed for the retrofit with an enabling code. The sat receiver is NOT in the trunk! It is built into the headunit on your vehicle.

The link above is inaccurate for your particular vehicle, do not go by that!

In the event you DO NOT have the connections/wiring for sat radio on your headunit, unfortunately you will need a new headunit and like you were quoted they are expensive! I believe the headunit is around $1200-1300!

So best bet, pull the radio out and check for yourself. Its very simple. If you need guidance I can walk you through pulling it out. Like I said your vehicle was built on the changeover date so its hard to tell if you have this or not.

[avol3xo]

Originally Posted by Juiced46

Ok I checked your VIN here is the deal. Your car was produced in 9/10. 9/10 was the changeover from when cars came with the sat radio installed(built into the headunit) and just need programming. Your car may or may not have this its hard for me to tell. Some 9/10 production vehicles can get away with just programming to enable the sat, if your radio has the satellite connections/wiring built into it. (some headunits did not in 9/10 production)

Easiest way to check is to pull the radio out and see if the back of it has the connections/wiring for sat radio. If its not on the back of the radio, you need a headunit. If the wiring/connections are there at the back of the headunit, all you need to do is get the car programmed for the retrofit with an enabling code. The sat receiver is NOT in the trunk! It is built into the headunit on your vehicle.

The link above is inaccurate for your particular vehicle, do not go by that!

In the event you DO NOT have the connections/wiring for sat radio on your headunit, unfortunately you will need a new headunit and like you were quoted they are expensive! I believe the headunit is around $1200-1300!

So best bet, pull the radio out and check for yourself. Its very simple. If you need guidance I can walk you through pulling it out. Like I said your vehicle was built on the changeover date so its hard to tell if you have this or not.

Thanks, maybe the dealer isn't trying to rip me off, that's quite an expensive add-on. I may just use my 3G iPad to stream through the adapter in the console.

I will check the radio after work, thanks.