[Rube]

Hey everyone,

I did some searching but didn't really find anything definitive. I just purchased a 2013 X3 35i and it has the satellite radio prep and needs activation. Is this something that I can do (although I have no coding experience) or someone here can help me out with? Or am I stuck with either the dealer or one of the retrofit places?

Thank you!
Rube

[HPR]

Not sure I understand your question. If the car is satellite radio capable all you need is a subscription to the service. Once you're subscribed, SIRIUS XM will provide instructions on how to activate.

[Ol' Fart]

I don't believe there is any coding involved. I think all you have to do is have your vehicle out in the clear, call the satellite company and they will activate remotely after you reach payment agreement.

[Rube]

It seems my car has the S693A "Satellite preparation" but it isn't active as coding is required to activate it. If I look in my Idrive menu, I don't see Satellite as an option. Places like bimmer retrofit do offer the service for around $300 but I don't know that they are the only resource, I was hoping someone on the forums can assist.
Thanks for the replies, please keep them coming if you can help!

[Opie55]

Originally Posted by Rube

It seems my car has the S693A "Satellite preparation" but it isn't active as coding is required to activate it. If I look in my Idrive menu, I don't see Satellite as an option. Places like bimmer retrofit do offer the service for around $300 but I don't know that they are the only resource, I was hoping someone on the forums can assist.
Thanks for the replies, please keep them coming if you can help!

So if you go to where iDrive lists radio options, you just see AM and FM, satellite is not even there but grayed out?

[Opie55]

I just Googled that option. Looks like you need some module and then coding. That option looks like it is just some wires. Reminds me of my last MB - they all came with some option that was called "pre-wired" for wireless phone. To actually have wireless phone, you needed to buy about $1,000 of extra stuff.

[najnad]

its just coding to enable the head unit to access the satellite radio module, then as others have said activate a subscription with SiriusXM. Some have found they get 6 months or even a year of free subscription for activating a new account, just like when the car was sold with it activated.

I had it done on my X3 after I bought it used. I will PM you the info I have on the guy who remote coded it for me. Apparently its an easy thing to screw up, so having someone who knows what they are doing is worth it.

[RPC90]

Did you ever find the answer to this? I have the same question about my 2019 X3. It is "wired" for XM radio, but it is not showing up in the iDrive because it needs to be coded.

[Rube]

Originally Posted by RPC90

Did you ever find the answer to this? I have the same question about my 2019 X3. It is "wired" for XM radio, but it is not showing up in the iDrive because it needs to be coded.

I had it remote coded by the person najnad used. Let me know if you want his info to see if he can do for you

[RPC90]

Originally Posted by Rube

I had it remote coded by the person najnad used. Let me know if you want his info to see if he can do for you

Sure! If you wouldn't mind PM'ing me the info, I'd appreciate it! Thanks!

[art666]

Originally Posted by Rube

I had it remote coded by the person najnad used. Let me know if you want his info to see if he can do for you

Can you pm this info as well? thanks

[winnieken13]

May you PM as well? Please & Thank you! 💕

[carsbill]

Originally Posted by Rube

I had it remote coded by the person najnad used. Let me know if you want his info to see if he can do for you

I have a 2011 BMW X3 35is with Satilite Radio and would appreciate the info on the updating coding. Thank You

[IceteaMD]

Originally Posted by Rube

I had it remote coded by the person najnad used. Let me know if you want his info to see if he can do for you

hi can you plz pm me his details

[IceteaMD]

Originally Posted by najnad

its just coding to enable the head unit to access the satellite radio module, then as others have said activate a subscription with SiriusXM. Some have found they get 6 months or even a year of free subscription for activating a new account, just like when the car was sold with it activated.

I had it done on my X3 after I bought it used. I will PM you the info I have on the guy who remote coded it for me. Apparently its an easy thing to screw up, so having someone who knows what they are doing is worth it.

can you plz pm me his details too

thx

[Alreon99]

I bought a 2014 X3 in April and have been using the Sirius phone app for months. I have been looking for this information for a while and am grateful for all of the information here. My car also has the 693 code and no listing anywhere for satellite. Just to clarify, is the car already prepped for Sirius or do I need to get the module and code? I saw the download for $300 that someone mentioned, but didn't know what else I needed. If you have the contact for the person that did the work in this thread, please PM me the details. Thanks.

[Thorsveinyhammer]

I would like to know more as well. I'm considering doing a full swap to navi via eBay parts but I'm not totally clear on wether or not this is FSC coding as well

[nanneyman]

If you still have the info on the guy who does sirius satellite activations and you PM to me. So far the only ones I have found are Bimmer tech and bmwsport.com. bimmer tech charges $398 with cable and bmwsport charges 350 with cable.
thanks

[Paradeis]

The solution to this problem be somewhere else in this forum, so I apologize in advance. I'm having a similar problem. Just got a 2017 X3 328i and everything works EXCEPT navigation and satellite radio. Navigation is greyed out and unselectable in the iConnect menu. And for the satellite radio I can select and get into satellite radio but it won't list any channels. My local BMW dealer says I need to bring it in and it will take a few hours for them to solve the problem, which they know and are aware of. Is there a fix that I can use for these two items from this group? I hope so.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by Paradeis

Just got a 2017 X3 328i and everything works EXCEPT navigation and satellite radio.

1. Navigation is greyed out and unselectable in the iConnect menu.
2. And for the satellite radio I can select and get into satellite radio but it won't list any channels.

1. Have no clue what’s going on with your Nav system. See the dealer..sounds like you have a serious issue.

2. If your AM/FM stations actually work when you select a station…and you can see SATELLITE listed as a choice but you get no stations…and you have no SiriusXM account…then you need to open an account if you want to listen to XM radio directly from the car without using BT connection from your cell phone.

If you’re unsure…simply go to the SiriusXM website…they always have offers for new accounts. You will need to give them your SiriusXM radio ID. To get the radio ID…you probably need to select SATELLITE on the iDrive screen, then press the OPTION button….which should give you a selection to manage your subscription & give you your radio ID info. Once you have that info and go to the site, and purchase a subscription….Sirius will send a signal once you’ve opened an account and you should be on your way.

Again, there is lots of info on the SiriusXM website: https://care.siriusxm.com/subscribe/...o&gad_source=1