I hate the satellite radio antenna - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

G35 · 03-30-2005, 09:23 PM

Is there a way to order the 330i E90 without the ugly shark fin radio antenna? If you order this car w/o the satellite option, does it still have the antenna on the roof?

I know of one person who mounted a sat. antenna behind the back back seats inside the car. He said his reception was terrific. Why don't car makers do that now if it works? Also, have you notice how unobtrusive the antenna is on new Hondas and Acuras these days?

Maybe one day I'll get used to the "fin" look but today all I can think about is how much better it would look without it.

Thoughts?

deutschmann59 · 03-30-2005, 09:41 PM

I think it might be there for good. I've seen it on every pic of the new E90. I think it will be there regardless if the car is equipped for satellite radio or not. It might be some kind of german design fad...I just saw an Audi today with the same exact antenna design.

Bayern · 03-31-2005, 02:12 AM

If you order without nav.system you don't get the shark fin.
Antenna placement on the roof is the absolut best position
to get maximum reception.

booforty · 03-31-2005, 03:11 AM

If you order bluetooth or sat nat you get the fin, if you don't order these, no fin

robertb · 03-31-2005, 11:48 AM

The antenna is used for BMW Assist and only comes if you order that, the Premium Pkg, or the bluetooth connectivity (which I think can only be ordered separately in EU).

spikes111 · 04-02-2005, 12:25 AM

I'm not a fan of the fin, it breaks up the lines of the roof. Looks like a mini-mohawk from the back

booyah · 04-02-2005, 08:58 AM

I like the fin personally! It cuts through the air like a hot butter knife, it splits the Left/right air flow as it sweeps down and over the trunk spoiler!!

spikes111 · 04-02-2005, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by booyah

I like the fin personally! It cuts through the air like a hot butter knife, it splits the Left/right air flow as it sweeps down and over the trunk spoiler!!

I didn't even think of that just thought of its looks.

Was that the original intention of that design? To diffuse the air coming over the car?

BMWAustin · 04-02-2005, 01:20 PM

It looks better than lot of sat antenna out there.

SoCalS2k · 04-02-2005, 06:33 PM

As a diffuser (if it functions as one), it's a work of art compared to what's on the Mitsu Evo.. check it out, it's like a spike strip on top of that roof.

LEDZEP · 03-30-2006, 03:55 PM

One year ago today... someone had the blasphemy to not like the fin.

KL2DC · 03-30-2006, 03:57 PM

All US e90s come with the fin ... as all US e90s have phone pre-wiring...besides I think the fin is pretty cool

BMerDRMer · 03-30-2006, 10:56 PM

Has anyone noticed a strange sound coming from rear roof area (appr location of fin?) on occasion ......... it seems to occur at times when FM reception is poor ..... but sounds like something is electronically rotating on the roof .......... no idea what this is????

03-30-2005, 09:23 PM	#1
G35 New Member Drives: Infiniti G35 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Memphis Posts: 2 iTrader: (0)	I hate the satellite radio antenna Is there a way to order the 330i E90 without the ugly shark fin radio antenna? If you order this car w/o the satellite option, does it still have the antenna on the roof? I know of one person who mounted a sat. antenna behind the back back seats inside the car. He said his reception was terrific. Why don't car makers do that now if it works? Also, have you notice how unobtrusive the antenna is on new Hondas and Acuras these days? Maybe one day I'll get used to the "fin" look but today all I can think about is how much better it would look without it. Thoughts?
	Tweet

03-31-2005, 02:12 AM	#3
Bayern New Member Drives: E90 330i Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Europe Posts: 2 iTrader: (0)	Antenna If you order without nav.system you don't get the shark fin. Antenna placement on the roof is the absolut best position to get maximum reception.

03-31-2005, 11:48 AM	#5
robertb Private First Class Drives: 2009 335d Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 153 iTrader: (0)	BMW Assist/Bluetooth The antenna is used for BMW Assist and only comes if you order that, the Premium Pkg, or the bluetooth connectivity (which I think can only be ordered separately in EU).

04-02-2005, 12:25 AM	#6
spikes111 First Lieutenant Drives: 328i Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: VA Posts: 342 iTrader: (0)	I'm not a fan of the fin, it breaks up the lines of the roof. Looks like a mini-mohawk from the back __________________ Last edited by spikes111; 04-02-2005 at 11:19 AM.

04-02-2005, 06:33 PM	#10
SoCalS2k Private First Class Drives: S2K! Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: LA Posts: 150 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2001 Honda S2k [0.00]	As a diffuser (if it functions as one), it's a work of art compared to what's on the Mitsu Evo.. check it out, it's like a spike strip on top of that roof. Attached Images

03-30-2005, 09:41 PM	#2
deutschmann59 Captain Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: e90post.com Posts: 758 iTrader: (0)	I think it might be there for good. I've seen it on every pic of the new E90. I think it will be there regardless if the car is equipped for satellite radio or not. It might be some kind of german design fad...I just saw an Audi today with the same exact antenna design.

03-31-2005, 03:11 AM	#4
booforty Major General Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 8,817 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 E92 M3 [0.00]	If you order bluetooth or sat nat you get the fin, if you don't order these, no fin

04-02-2005, 08:58 AM	#7
booyah Private First Class Drives: 2008 335XI Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: The Largest state Posts: 128 iTrader: (0)	I like the fin personally! It cuts through the air like a hot butter knife, it splits the Left/right air flow as it sweeps down and over the trunk spoiler!!

04-02-2005, 01:20 PM	#9
BMWAustin Second Lieutenant Drives: e90 330i Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 135 iTrader: (0)	It looks better than lot of sat antenna out there.

03-30-2006, 03:55 PM	#11
LEDZEP Lieutenant General Drives: 2009 E70 & 2011 F25 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Area 51 Posts: 12,285 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 X3 35i M Sport [3.93] 2009 X5 M Sport [0.00] 2007 328xi E90 [0.00] 2006 325xiT E91 [0.00]	One year ago today... someone had the blasphemy to not like the fin. __________________ I think it is bad luck to be superstitious

03-30-2006, 03:57 PM	#12
KL2DC Your Moderately Moderate Moderator Drives: E90 325i, W211 E350, W210 E55 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: DC Metro Posts: 17,743 iTrader: (22) Garage List 2007 E350 Sport 4-M ... [0.00] 2006 BMW 325i (E90 ... [0.00] 1999 Honda Civic (E ... [0.00]	All US e90s come with the fin ... as all US e90s have phone pre-wiring...besides I think the fin is pretty cool __________________ Official DC Metro Registry - Current, New & Prospective Area Members Roll Call! BMW CCA Member # 364222 Join the club...

03-30-2006, 10:56 PM	#13
BMerDRMer BMerDRMer 2006 330 Xi Man ZPP ZSP CW NAV CA TiAg BlkLthr Burl 18in 162's Drives: 06 330Xi Prem Sprt Win Nav CA Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 214 iTrader: (0)	Has anyone noticed a strange sound coming from rear roof area (appr location of fin?) on occasion ......... it seems to occur at times when FM reception is poor ..... but sounds like something is electronically rotating on the roof .......... no idea what this is???? __________________ BMerDRMer 2006 330 Xi Man ZPP ZSP CW NAV CA TiAG Blk Lthr Burl 18x162's