About radio choices - M3 Forum 2010 2009 BMW M3 2008 BMW M3 BMW E90 M3 E92

drvai · 01-26-2008, 05:05 PM

I hope that everyone is enjoying the weekend (specially those who already have the M3).

I need to choose the radio options and I am really confused. I don't want to be ordering things I won't use. I have rented cars with sirrus radio and works fine, but I know there is a monthly fee. Right?

And the HD radio? It hasn't been a very popular thing. Seems that the quality is not very good.

And the other question is if I can eventually buy the ipod adapter as an accessory, after buying the car.

Thank you.

GregW / Oregon · 01-26-2008, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drvai

I hope that everyone is enjoying the weekend (specially those who already have the M3).

I need to choose the radio options and I am really confused. I don't want to be ordering things I won't use. I have rented cars with sirrus radio and works fine, but I know there is a monthly fee. Right?

And the HD radio? It hasn't been a very popular thing. Seems that the quality is not very good. And the other question is if I can eventually buy the ipod adapter as an accessory, after buying the car.

I'm getting HD radio, though I haven't experienced it. Could be one of those things that never takes hold, but it is being heavily promoted now.

As far as the iPod adapter, I'm sure it will be available. You can get it for the 3 Series for $320.

"Integrates the Apple iPod into the BMW audio system and allows you to control and listen to your iPod music collection by using the vehicle's radio and steering wheel controls. Adapter also charges the iPod's internal battery when the vehicle is running.

Not in conjunction with the 6-disc CD Changer and factory installed USB/iPod Interface. Price is the suggested retail price and is subject to change. Price excludes installation and taxes. Additional parts may be required."

JEllis · 01-26-2008, 08:14 PM

I have Sirrius in my E36 M3. I got it as an add on to my Alpine head unit. Sirrius is great and I really stopped to listening to anything else including CD's once I found the channels I liked. But then I added the IPOD adapter to my head unit and I found I only listened to that even thought I will still paying $12/mo for Sirrius. I plan on passing up the Sat radio option on the new M3 and sticking my an Ipod interface...

Jason

WCH · 01-26-2008, 08:54 PM

I just got a '07 X5 that came with HD radio and Sirius (the car was already configured this way). The HD radio is much better than I thought it would be. The sound quality was noticeably better. My other car has XM radio and so far I like XM a bit better but they (XM and Sirius) are more similar than different.

I added the ipod adapter. In the X5, there are a couple of differences between the factory and dealer installed options. The factory ipod also allows you to have a USB port and the ipod lives in the center armrest. The dealer installed ipod lives in the glove compartment and doesn't have a USB port. Compared to my wife's 335 vert (factory ipod adapter), the idrive interface is a little better in the factory version, specifically that playlists are easier to get at.

For my M3, I'm probably going with the factory ipod and HD radio. Still on the fence about Sirius and premium sound.

drvai · 01-27-2008, 11:15 AM

Thank you for the answers.

Can you talk about your experience with HD radio? Has digital quality?

ObD · 01-27-2008, 12:58 PM

Depends on your listening preferences.

1. Get the factory 6FL iPod/USB option if you have any interest - the dealer add on iPod option is less functional
2. If you want Sirius, order it from the factory. It's a bit more expensive if dealer installed and there is the hassle of having the car being reprogrammed for up to a day.
3. If you don't listen to AM/FM much, I'd say skip the HD radio.

My preferences:

1. USB
2. Sirius
3. CD
4. Terrestrial Raido
5. HD Terrestrial Radio

WCH · 01-27-2008, 08:34 PM

Not sure that the radio has digital (CD) quality but it is noticeably better than regular radio. There are also second stations for many of the stations although it's a bit clunky to get to them. You have to tune into the station and then use the arrow buttons - the problem is that you have to do this in manual mode rather than through a preset. In any case, I was impressed enough to put it on my list of options. I also would go with the factory ipod/sirius if you are going that route.

One last thing, at least for me Sirius has more intermittent cut outs than XM in my area. I like XM a bit better but my wife likes Sirius - depends on your preferences in music.

Technic · 01-27-2008, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drvai

I hope that everyone is enjoying the weekend (specially those who already have the M3).

I need to choose the radio options and I am really confused. I don't want to be ordering things I won't use. I have rented cars with sirrus radio and works fine, but I know there is a monthly fee. Right?

And the HD radio? It hasn't been a very popular thing. Seems that the quality is not very good.

And the other question is if I can eventually buy the ipod adapter as an accessory, after buying the car.

Thank you.

If cost is an issue, just get the iPod adapter as a factory option. If cost is not an issue get everything, including the M-Audio.

Sirius and HD Radio play deeply compressed music, so unless you get a sound system that can trick you into feeling that that music sounds good, it will be a waste of money ($950 both) getting all those digital add ons, IMO. At least with the iPod you can play lossless music if you want to and the standard sytem will handle that pretty good...

skierman64 · 01-27-2008, 11:17 PM

Does anyone know if the Sirius module can be owner installed. I assume it's just a module that can be plugged into the exsisting system. The price from the factory is absurd.

01-26-2008, 05:05 PM	#1
drvai Captain Drives: E92 M3 AW Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: FL Posts: 880 iTrader: (0)	About radio choices I hope that everyone is enjoying the weekend (specially those who already have the M3). I need to choose the radio options and I am really confused. I don't want to be ordering things I won't use. I have rented cars with sirrus radio and works fine, but I know there is a monthly fee. Right? And the HD radio? It hasn't been a very popular thing. Seems that the quality is not very good. And the other question is if I can eventually buy the ipod adapter as an accessory, after buying the car. Thank you.

01-26-2008, 08:14 PM	#3
JEllis Brigadier General Drives: E36 M3, 997S Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 3,149 iTrader: (1)	I have Sirrius in my E36 M3. I got it as an add on to my Alpine head unit. Sirrius is great and I really stopped to listening to anything else including CD's once I found the channels I liked. But then I added the IPOD adapter to my head unit and I found I only listened to that even thought I will still paying $12/mo for Sirrius. I plan on passing up the Sat radio option on the new M3 and sticking my an Ipod interface... Jason __________________

01-27-2008, 11:17 PM	#9
skierman64 Colonel Drives: 2008 E92 Space Gray M3 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Southern New Jersey Posts: 2,628 iTrader: (0) View skierman64's Garage	Does anyone know if the Sirius module can be owner installed. I assume it's just a module that can be plugged into the exsisting system. The price from the factory is absurd. __________________ Space Grey/Black Novillo Leather, Carbon Leather Trim, Cold Weather, Premium, Technology, M-DCT, Sunshade, Park Distance Control, HD Radio, Ipod/USB, Premium Sound, Rear Fog Light Mod/// Invest Wisely...The best mod for your money?? BMWCCA high performance driver's school. The mod that lasts a lifetime and improves the performance of any car you drive

01-26-2008, 08:54 PM	#4
WCH Captain Drives: '08 E92 M3 SSII; '10 X5 35d Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 610 iTrader: (0) View WCH's Garage	I just got a '07 X5 that came with HD radio and Sirius (the car was already configured this way). The HD radio is much better than I thought it would be. The sound quality was noticeably better. My other car has XM radio and so far I like XM a bit better but they (XM and Sirius) are more similar than different. I added the ipod adapter. In the X5, there are a couple of differences between the factory and dealer installed options. The factory ipod also allows you to have a USB port and the ipod lives in the center armrest. The dealer installed ipod lives in the glove compartment and doesn't have a USB port. Compared to my wife's 335 vert (factory ipod adapter), the idrive interface is a little better in the factory version, specifically that playlists are easier to get at. For my M3, I'm probably going with the factory ipod and HD radio. Still on the fence about Sirius and premium sound.

01-27-2008, 11:15 AM	#5
drvai Captain Drives: E92 M3 AW Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: FL Posts: 880 iTrader: (0)	Thank you for the answers. Can you talk about your experience with HD radio? Has digital quality?

01-27-2008, 12:58 PM	#6
ObD New Member Drives: BMW Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: USA Posts: 6 iTrader: (0)	Depends on your listening preferences. 1. Get the factory 6FL iPod/USB option if you have any interest - the dealer add on iPod option is less functional 2. If you want Sirius, order it from the factory. It's a bit more expensive if dealer installed and there is the hassle of having the car being reprogrammed for up to a day. 3. If you don't listen to AM/FM much, I'd say skip the HD radio. My preferences: 1. USB 2. Sirius 3. CD 4. Terrestrial Raido 5. HD Terrestrial Radio

01-27-2008, 08:34 PM	#7
WCH Captain Drives: '08 E92 M3 SSII; '10 X5 35d Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 610 iTrader: (0) View WCH's Garage	Not sure that the radio has digital (CD) quality but it is noticeably better than regular radio. There are also second stations for many of the stations although it's a bit clunky to get to them. You have to tune into the station and then use the arrow buttons - the problem is that you have to do this in manual mode rather than through a preset. In any case, I was impressed enough to put it on my list of options. I also would go with the factory ipod/sirius if you are going that route. One last thing, at least for me Sirius has more intermittent cut outs than XM in my area. I like XM a bit better but my wife likes Sirius - depends on your preferences in music.