Best aftermarket Sirius Kit ??
 

I've got car on order, with delivery scheduled for late July. I'd like to install a Sirius setup myself - can't see paying the $1000 for the factory install and subscription.

Is there an aftermarket system that will relatively easily install into an '08 Cooper S with the standard radio? I'd like all direct connections - no FM modulators, etc... Would be even better if it had an Ipod cable and perfect if it worked with the steering wheel controls...

RE: Best aftermarket Sirius Kit ??
 

Okay, for a first post, I'm going out on a limb here.

I checked with Crutchfield.com, and they haven't researched the R55/56 at all. Kenwood makes a module that lets you plug in, but the module is $200, and then you have the cost of the receiver (I didn't price that), plus the time and difficulty of the installation. And then there's the question of where to put the antenna and how to route the lead. I have no idea whether you'd retain steering wheel control for other than volume. So, let's say you've got $400 in the hardware. That leaves $600. At $13.99/month, that's less than three years worth of the subscription. So, even though it's a thousand bucks, having it work in a completely integrated fashion is worth it to me. If you've got another subscription, and the cost for the MINI is the add-on rate ($6.99, IIRC), maybe the OE cost doesn't represent any savings, but if you make the MINI the primary subscription, you save by changing the other one to the add-on rate. (I don't know if that last bit made sense)

HTH...Sirius according to me.

RE: Best aftermarket Sirius Kit ??
 

I have the sportster 5 from sirius. I love it it is great. I'm a fan of having on like that becasue i can take it inside the house when i'm not in my truck(waiting on my mini cooper). If you have it built in to the car you can't do that. I just see that as a downside.

RE: Best aftermarket Sirius Kit ??
 

Just got my Cooper S this weekend and installed the Sportster 5 very easily. I already had a lifetime subscription to Sirius, to the factory option didn't make sense for me. Installation was a breeze, with really no visible wires. Also, you can custom color match the display to your Mini - I have auburn font to match the dash and electric blue to match the ambient light... COOL!