Is it worth it to get the SIRIUS tuner built-in?

ToddPhilly · 10-20-2006, 07:23 AM

I'm going to be ordering my 335 coupe in the next couple weeks and I'm trying to decide on a few options...one of them being whether or not to get the built-in SIRIUS tuner. How well does it work with i-drive? Is it nicely integrated such that you can scroll through channels and categories? Does it support artist or song alerts? I really like the new portable SIRIUS tuner that just became available, and it has quite a few nice features on it. Any thoughts?

Frank_NJ · 10-20-2006, 07:52 AM

I think it is worth it and it comes with the first year on BMW so the overall price of the option is really not that bad. As for the channels, you can search by catagory, presets, or all and it is a very clean look in the iDrive. If you have any more questions feel free to email me.

vinen · 10-20-2006, 07:54 AM

Yes it integrates with I-drive nicely. Very easy to navigate through a large array of channels on you Nav screen and you can pick stations by genre or category. Some people don't like Sirius because the sound quality is only okay. I listen to a lot of talk radio, sports and music is secondary, so for me Sirius is great because of the great variety in programming.

However, I'm not sure I would buy Sirius if it was just for music. You can listen to commercial free music on your Ipod and the sound quality is much better. Hope this insight helps you in making a decision.

ToddPhilly · 10-20-2006, 07:56 AM

I didn't see your e-mail address in your profile. I see that you ordered comfort access. How has that worked for you. I tried it on a car on the lot, and it didn't seem to work too well. Any thoughts?

ntpcrew13 · 10-20-2006, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToddPhilly

I'm going to be ordering my 335 coupe in the next couple weeks and I'm trying to decide on a few options...one of them being whether or not to get the built-in SIRIUS tuner. How well does it work with i-drive? Is it nicely integrated such that you can scroll through channels and categories? Does it support artist or song alerts? I really like the new portable SIRIUS tuner that just became available, and it has quite a few nice features on it. Any thoughts?

I have a 330i pre-sept 05 model and it doesn't support artist or song alerts. I'm not sure how it is for the 335, but I doubt its any different. I like the built in tuner alot and I believe the only downfall of it is not having the alerts that you had mentioned.

dmontic71 · 10-20-2006, 12:05 PM

I have non idrive integrated Sirius, & it works well, so I have to imagine same or more funcions on idrive. Presets, or scroll through categories, view artist & title..No alerts though.. I love Sirius content in general. IMO, better than XM's.. I would call the sound quality good but a bit compressed (Sirius and XM). More live DJ's on Sirius it seems like..

Sirius= Howard Stern, NFL
XM= Opie & Anthony, MLB

LEDZEP · 10-20-2006, 01:39 PM

Absolutely! It's pricey, but when you consider the convinence of having it integrated and BMW paying for the first year, it's not so bad.

ward · 10-20-2006, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

Absolutely! It's pricey, but when you consider the convinence of having it integrated and BMW paying for the first year, it's not so bad.

don't forget that it cost about double to have it dealer installed later!

Boondoggler · 10-20-2006, 03:51 PM

I would never have ordered Sirius if I was building my own car, but it was in the car I bought. I've been pleasantly surprised by it. I really enjoy the comedy channels and the music quality is a small step down from CD/iPod, but a huge step up from FM. I have a non I-Drive vehicle, and it's a bit cumbersome to scroll through it, but once you find 20 stations you like, program them in, and the need to scroll pretty much goes away. The biggest annoyance with the built in Sirius radio is that about 1 in 10 times I start the car, the radio tells me I need to call the 800 number and subscribe. The only way to make that go away, is to turn the car off, open and close the driver door, and then restart. Sometimes I have to do it twice.

E92Dutchie · 10-20-2006, 10:42 PM

I loved Sirius in my previous car and I've ordered it again to be installed in my E92. Not cheap, since it didn't come as standard with the car, but I think it's worth every buck of the $720+tax it's going to cost me.

10-20-2006, 07:23 AM	#1
ToddPhilly First Lieutenant 19 Rep 313 Posts Drives: BMW 335i Coupe Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: King of Prussia, PA iTrader: (0)	Is it worth it to get the SIRIUS tuner built-in? I'm going to be ordering my 335 coupe in the next couple weeks and I'm trying to decide on a few options...one of them being whether or not to get the built-in SIRIUS tuner. How well does it work with i-drive? Is it nicely integrated such that you can scroll through channels and categories? Does it support artist or song alerts? I really like the new portable SIRIUS tuner that just became available, and it has quite a few nice features on it. Any thoughts? __________________ 335i Coupe: Crimson Red / Black X3 3.0si: Alpine White / Sand Beige
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10-20-2006, 07:52 AM	#2
Frank_NJ ///M Specialist 561 Rep 1,499 Posts Drives: E30 M3, E52 Z8, G83 M4Cx Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: NJ Shore iTrader: (0)	I think it is worth it and it comes with the first year on BMW so the overall price of the option is really not that bad. As for the channels, you can search by catagory, presets, or all and it is a very clean look in the iDrive. If you have any more questions feel free to email me. __________________ 2023 M340ix my Daily Driver G83 M4CV, F80 M3 CS, E30 M3, Z8, other various BMW's Ferrari F8
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10-20-2006, 07:54 AM	#3
vinen Private 5 Rep 73 Posts Drives: 335i coupe Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: seattle, wa iTrader: (0)	Yes it integrates with I-drive nicely. Very easy to navigate through a large array of channels on you Nav screen and you can pick stations by genre or category. Some people don't like Sirius because the sound quality is only okay. I listen to a lot of talk radio, sports and music is secondary, so for me Sirius is great because of the great variety in programming. However, I'm not sure I would buy Sirius if it was just for music. You can listen to commercial free music on your Ipod and the sound quality is much better. Hope this insight helps you in making a decision. __________________ 335i - Blacksaphire w/ saddle brown leather and grey poplar trim...6MT, ZPP, ZSP, Nav, Pdc, Sirius, and heated seats shipped on Pegasus Leader... (only black saddle brown 335i in Washington state)
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10-20-2006, 07:56 AM	#4
ToddPhilly First Lieutenant 19 Rep 313 Posts Drives: BMW 335i Coupe Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: King of Prussia, PA iTrader: (0)	I didn't see your e-mail address in your profile. I see that you ordered comfort access. How has that worked for you. I tried it on a car on the lot, and it didn't seem to work too well. Any thoughts? __________________ 335i Coupe: Crimson Red / Black X3 3.0si: Alpine White / Sand Beige
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10-20-2006, 12:05 PM	#6
dmontic71 Lieutenant 27 Rep 520 Posts Drives: 2012 F30 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Tampa, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW 328i [10.00] (retired) 2009 528i [10.00] (retired) 2006 325i [10.00] (retired) 2002 325ci [10.00]	I have non idrive integrated Sirius, & it works well, so I have to imagine same or more funcions on idrive. Presets, or scroll through categories, view artist & title..No alerts though.. I love Sirius content in general. IMO, better than XM's.. I would call the sound quality good but a bit compressed (Sirius and XM). More live DJ's on Sirius it seems like.. Sirius= Howard Stern, NFL XM= Opie & Anthony, MLB __________________ 2012 F30 328i, Melbourne Red, Premium, Sportline, Steptronic, Xenon, Harmon Kardon.
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10-20-2006, 01:39 PM	#7
LEDZEP Lieutenant General 418 Rep 12,276 Posts Drives: 2009 E70 & 2011 F25 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Area 51 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 X3 35i M Sport [7.62] 2009 X5 M Sport [0.00] 2007 328xi E90 [0.00] 2006 325xiT E91 [0.00]	Absolutely! It's pricey, but when you consider the convinence of having it integrated and BMW paying for the first year, it's not so bad. __________________ I think it is bad luck to be superstitious
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10-20-2006, 03:51 PM	#9
Boondoggler Lieutenant 72 Rep 402 Posts Drives: 2023 G01 LCI X3 M40i Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Lawrenceville, NJ iTrader: (1) Garage List 2016 340i xDrive [6.50]	I would never have ordered Sirius if I was building my own car, but it was in the car I bought. I've been pleasantly surprised by it. I really enjoy the comedy channels and the music quality is a small step down from CD/iPod, but a huge step up from FM. I have a non I-Drive vehicle, and it's a bit cumbersome to scroll through it, but once you find 20 stations you like, program them in, and the need to scroll pretty much goes away. The biggest annoyance with the built in Sirius radio is that about 1 in 10 times I start the car, the radio tells me I need to call the 800 number and subscribe. The only way to make that go away, is to turn the car off, open and close the driver door, and then restart. Sometimes I have to do it twice. __________________ 2023 G01 LCI X3 M40i My Garage \| Phytonic Blue \| Black Sensatec \| Carbon Fiber Trim \| Parking \| Premium \| Remote \| Wireless \| Harmon Kardon \| 19" 887M Bi-color Midnight Grey
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10-20-2006, 10:42 PM	#10
E92Dutchie Private 2 Rep 71 Posts Drives: E92 328i Space Grey Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Sammamish, WA iTrader: (0)	I loved Sirius in my previous car and I've ordered it again to be installed in my E92. Not cheap, since it didn't come as standard with the car, but I think it's worth every buck of the $720+tax it's going to cost me. __________________ E92 328i Space Gray, Gray Leather, Gray Poplar, Step, ZPP, ZSP, ZCW, BMW Assist, Nav + iDrive, Sirius, CA, Logic 7, Rear Sunshade, Pirelli P-Zero Nero M+S, Formula One Pinnacle 35% tint
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