Does My BMW Have Satellite Radio?

Through a satellite, SiriusXM radio offers access to hundreds of original channels. SiriusXM offers a wealth of entertainment options, including music, sports, news, and humor. SiriusXM, which was previously an option, is now a part of every BMW model year 2021 and after.

Which BMW models are SiriusXM-equipped?

Starting with the 2010 models*, all BMW vehicles sold in the United States and Canada are SiriusXM-capable. This means that everything is set up for you to activate Sirius radio whenever you choose, even if it isn’t already installed. Decode your BMW’s VIN and look for the Satellite Radio Preparation option to see if your vehicle has the necessary hardware to enable SiriusXM (S693A).

Your car already has the satellite radio hardware; all you need is a BMW-approved activation code to update the software and enable SiriusXM. Dealers demand that you leave your car with them, frequently even overnight, for a fee of $500 or more.

You can get the same genuine BMW code from BimmerTech for for $299. Many of the most recent BMWs just require a coding file from us thanks to our ground-breaking USB coding procedure. Without requiring any BMW iDrive coding software, save it to a flash drive and insert it into the BMW’s USB port to immediately activate SiriusXM in your car. If not, we’ll send you an interface connection so you may use your Windows laptop (or a Macbook running Windows) to connect to your vehicle. In less than 30 minutes after your initial instant chat communication with our professional, the service is remotely activated.

Really, it’s that simple. It’s no surprise that our retrofit kits for SiriusXM satellite radio are among the most sought-after!

How to Install XM in a BMW’s Radio

A factory-installed XM satellite radio option is offered by 24 different car manufacturers. One of the companies is not BMW. All new BMW cars come with Sirius satellite radio as standard equipment. There are still various options available if XM is your chosen satellite radio provider and you have a BMW with Sirius or a BMW without a satellite radio.

Does satellite radio come standard on all BMWs?

All new BMW models with SiriusXM will get a complimentary 12-month trial subscription to the SiriusXM Platinum Plan. A 3-month trial subscription is included with qualified pre-owned1 and certified pre-owned (CPO) automobiles.

Your customers can enjoy the best entertainment available in their cars and on the SXM App with the Platinum Plan trial subscription. This includes music that has been carefully selected to be ad-free, Pandora stations, sports play-by-play, talk shows hosted by celebrities, news, comedy, Howard Stern, and more.

A large selection of podcasts, including SiriusXM exclusives, along with original discussion channels

Do all automobiles have satellite radio?

Are you the type of motorist that enjoys listening to the radio while driving? Do the soothing tones help you cope with the aggressive drivers all around you and reduce your stress? Given how monotonous your commute is, you might find enjoyment in listening to a good radio discussion show. Traditional radio’s only drawback is that you are essentially forced to listen to anything the DJ decides to play, in addition to having to endure advertising. Oh, those terrible advertisements. Additionally, they always seem to start playing during the most trying moments of the drive.

By attempting to change the radio station whenever an advertisement airs, you can end up driving while distracted. You might want to rethink this, though, as the CDC reports that “each day, more than 15 people are killed and more than 1,200 others are injured in crashes that were reported to involve a distracted driver.” As a result, satellite radio is a fantastic choice. There are several channels available on satellite radio that are free of advertisements. Without advertisements, there is no need to switch channels. Yippee! Every driver should be happy! Even a range of news and entertainment stations are included in the satellite radio, which is segmented by category. Many famous people, including Howard Stern and Oprah, have their own dedicated talk programs on satellite radio. On satellite radio, you can find everything you wish to listen to. And if you like show tunes, then that does include them.

You’re in luck if you’re looking to buy a new car. SiriusXM satellite radio is included in the majority of new vehicles. It’s likely that the SiriusXM radio will already be in the car you desire if you have one in mind. In fact, most cars come with a free trial of this new technology in addition to having it installed. To find out if the automobile you want has satellite radio and how long your trial period is, you can easily contact the car dealer. You always have the choice to upgrade your current vehicle to include satellite radio if you aren’t in the market for a new vehicle.

How can I install satellite radio in my vehicle?

There are many accessible, affordable satellite radio devices; even SiriusXM provides a few on their website. The majority of these devices essentially consist of a little box that you attach to your dashboard, and you’ll also need to run two sets of wires:

  • The electrical system of your car will receive power from a single wire. This is typically a plug that attaches to your cigarette lighter.
  • The second wire(s) will be connected to an FM modulator, which may be mounted within your vehicle or positioned behind your dash.

Although this image does not show a satellite radio unit affixed to the dash, it does show how clogged up a space may become with only a unit and a power line. Add one or two more wires, and the situation becomes chaotic.

The key benefits of this kind of setup are that it is inexpensive and that it is temporary. This is a viable option if you don’t want to pay the money or permanently install a satellite radio in your vehicle.

On the other hand, a lot of people don’t enjoy this configuration in the long run. First off, your car’s internal cables invariably become twisted and disorganized. Second, double-sided tape is frequently used to attach devices to the dash, and this tape can come off on a hot day. Third, this method depends on an FM modulator, which can have glitches (more on that below). Fourth, using the “box” on the dash is necessary to switch satellite radio channels.

But once more, it’s a very cheap option to upgrade your car’s SiriusXM system. It’s a sensible decision in some circumstances.

How can I tell if my radio is satellite-enabled?

  • On your stereo, look for the SiriusXM logo. The SiriusXM logo may occasionally be added to the radio by the automaker to promote the vehicle’s SiriusXM compatibility.
  • To find the SAT button, look. There is usually a SAT button located someplace on automobile stereos with built-in satellite receivers. The button, which represents the satellite, acts as a gateway to SiriusXM stations. The SAT button is often located among the AM/FM and DISC AUX buttons.
  • Consult the owner’s manual. Checking your owner’s manual should only be done as a last resort because the other two solutions are significantly simpler. Most likely, the section on your car’s audio system will have the details you require.

With a BMW, is SiriusXM free?

A free trial membership to SiriusXM for six months and the All Access plan, which covers all of SiriusXM’s channels both inside and outside the vehicle, are included with every new BMW. You may take advantage of it with no cost or obligation.

When you purchase a car, is Sirius radio included?

You will receive a free 3-month trial membership to the Platinum Plan for all of your factory-installed SiriusXM vehicles in your Pre-Owned inventory, irrespective of the manufacturer. Additionally, buyers of used cars without SiriusXM might get a free 3-month trial subscription to Streaming Platinum.

The 2016 BMW has navigation, right?

The navigation systems in the F15 BMW X5 SUV and the F16 BMW X6 SAC will both receive updates later in the summer. While receiving the touchscreen technology recently introduced by the new BMW 7 Series, the existing 10.25 inch will maintain its size.

BMW’s upgraded linked car system, iDrive 5.0, will also be available for the X5 and X6, which has made significant strides in recent years. The iDrive still uses the conventional iDrive controller in the center console but now supports touchscreens for the first time in an SUV. The gesture control technology present in the 7 Series won’t be included in this generation’s X5/X6, but the touch iDrive knob will still be available.

The new X5 M and X6 M are probably also going to get the upgraded screen in the future, however this isn’t confirmed yet.

The xDrive35i, sDrive35i, xDrive35d, xDrive40e, and xDrive50i are the five variations of the current generation BMW X5 that are sold in the United States. Three alternative variants of the X6 Sports Activity Coupe are available: sDrive35i, xDrive35i, and xDrive50i.

How can I receive XM radio for nothing in my car?

The leader in satellite radio SiriusXM announced that starting today and lasting through May 15, North America will be able to stream its 300+ station lineup for free. Howard Stern, a host on SiriusXM’s Channel 100, who is speaking live from his house, made the announcement.

All ad-free music channels, live news, religious material, comedic content, sports chat, political content, and on-demand content are all included in the free offer. Beginning April 1, a brand-new #StayHome Radio station will include “positive, feel-good music” by musicians including Lizzo, Coldplay, Pink, and Bob Marley, according to SiriusXM. The Billy Joel Channel, Dave Matthews Band Radio Channel, and The Top 1000 Channel are all returning (with a new genre countdown every two weeks).

According to Jim Meyer, CEO of SiriusXM, “With so many individuals being requested to stay at home, we are providing our full streaming roster of music, entertainment, news, and information easily accessible to everyone.” In the days to come, we hope it will be a useful source of knowledge or entertainment, a plentiful mix of fresh live content, and a source of friendship that comes from the hosts on our numerous shows and channels.

Additionally, the app features SiriusXM video, custom Pandora stations that users can create themselves, as well as an on-demand library with more than 10,000 hours of previously aired programming, concerts, interviews, and audio documentaries.

Does your car’s SiriusXM require a subscription?

This function needs a SiriusXM Traffic Plus subscription. Receive thorough information that is smoothly incorporated into your car’s navigation system on the weather, gasoline, parking, and other things. With a SiriusXM Travel Link subscription on the vehicle/radio option, you can access the following services:

Is sat nav available on every BMW 3 Series?

A razor-sharp 10.3-inch infotainment touchscreen is standard on all 3 Series variants. Sat-nav, Bluetooth, a DAB radio, smartphone mirroring for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (so you can use phone apps through the screen), and subscription-based connected services that offer internet access are all included as standard equipment.