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      05-03-2014, 02:50 PM   #1
Hydrocarbon
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DIY Satellite Activation

So from what I can tell, the 2014 328i comes standard with the satellite prep option. Is my only option for activating satellite to pay for the activation? I don't remember the name but I've seen the links around the forum.

It seems like if the hardware is all there and the company/companies do it entirely over the Internet, it's also something someone who is decently competent with computers and cars could do and save a couple hundred bucks.

Am I off base here, or is there a coding/modification to DIY this project? Absolutely love my car but a little annoying that BMW made this an extra cost option...
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      05-03-2014, 03:32 PM   #2
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Wrote it on another post less than a week ago...
Should try the feature.

Anyhow, unless you have a convertible, everything should be in the car already.
You need to have a FSC code to activate it.

You could go to the $$$dealer, or try either of those 2 sites that can get you the code, and activate it for you:

www.bimmerretrofit.com
www.bimmer-tech.net
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      05-03-2014, 06:01 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 335i_4D View Post
Wrote it on another post less than a week ago...
Should try the feature.

Anyhow, unless you have a convertible, everything should be in the car already.
You need to have a FSC code to activate it.

You could go to the $$$dealer, or try either of those 2 sites that can get you the code, and activate it for you:

www.bimmerretrofit.com
www.bimmer-tech.net
I did use the feature (and Google's "site:" feature as well), thanks.

Those two links would be the companies I mentioned in my original post but whose names escaped me. Does that mean then that paying Bimmertech or Bimmerretrofit is the only way?
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      05-03-2014, 09:45 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hydrocarbon View Post
I did use the feature (and Google's "site:" feature as well), thanks.

Those two links would be the companies I mentioned in my original post but whose names escaped me. Does that mean then that paying Bimmertech or Bimmerretrofit is the only way?
You must buy a 6F FSC Enabling Code that is issued by BMW AG and signed with their Private Encryption Key. There is no way around this. It can be purchased for around $115 or so.

Then you will need to modify your VO to change 693 PREPARATION SATELLITE TUNER to 655 SATELLITE TUNER, then Import and Activate the 6F Sat Radio FSC Code into Head Unit, and then VO Code the Head Unit.

So, it can be done for around $115 total, which is pretty damn cheap.
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      05-04-2014, 12:21 AM   #5
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Like Shawn posted, you can do it yourself for about 115$ (+ cost of cable and token for the software), or have someone do it for you for about 168$.

For this particular mod, I went the 168$ way, not enough difference for me.

As for the annoyance, I do also think that something that doesn't cost a thing more to BMW should have been included in the Premium kit at least.

Some lower brand have it built-in.
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      05-04-2014, 01:53 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shawnsheridan View Post
You must buy a 6F FSC Enabling Code that is issued by BMW AG and signed with their Private Encryption Key. There is no way around this. It can be purchased for around $115 or so.

So, it can be done for around $115 total, which is pretty damn cheap.
Ah, there's a key, that explains the cost then.

Quote:
Originally Posted by 335i_4D View Post
As for the annoyance, I do also think that something that doesn't cost a thing more to BMW should have been included in the Premium kit at least.

Some lower brand have it built-in.
Yeah exactly. That's the annoyance factor for me, my last car was a 2011 Jetta SE that cost less than half as much and had satellite built in - as did audio streaming over Bluetooth I might add!

Yeah $168 may be 'pretty damn cheap' in the scheme of things but for something that should be included it's obnoxious.

Anyway, thanks for the help guys. I appreciate it!
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      06-16-2014, 11:47 AM   #7
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I'm pretty lost with this coding business.

What is the $168 option? Can one also get a year free Sirius subscription with that?

I'm strongly considering going with the option from www.bimmer-tech.net

Thanks for any comments.
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      06-16-2014, 03:24 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kevin M View Post
I'm pretty lost with this coding business.

What is the $168 option? Can one also get a year free Sirius subscription with that?

I'm strongly considering going with the option from www.bimmer-tech.net

Thanks for any comments.
That's what I did and recommend it. You'll be sent a cable. You'll require a laptop with a skype account in order to chat with the tech. You'll be provide some software which will allow them to remotely code your vehicle.

Once coded, you call Sirius XM and provide you ESN and they will activate your radio. If you already have a vehicle and would like to transfer over the existing subscription, you can and then they will add the free 1 year subscription you get with BimmerTech after your existing subscription expires (be sure to call prior to the expiry so they do not automatically charge you for the renewal).
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      06-16-2014, 06:27 PM   #9
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Bimmer-Tech was much more than that, and I did prefer to go locally (bimmerretrofit is about a 20 min. drive from home).

Got online to order the FSC code.
When they received it, called me for an appointment.
Was connected in less than 10 minutes.

BTW, it's Sirius that offers the 1-year subscription, not the retrofit companies.
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      01-28-2019, 07:52 PM   #10
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What happens when you disconnect the battery? Do you lose the satellite? And need to repay for a new code?
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      09-04-2019, 07:53 AM   #11
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Hi !

I guess even if the thread is old, it still is of actuality ...
So My VIN say I have sat preparation but if I put the VIN in Sirius lookup system, they say it's all ready to go, just click on Trial button.
Does that mean that I already have the FSC code setup in my car or it's Sirius going over board when they say "good to go" ?

J
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      09-04-2019, 08:17 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Beachparty View Post
Hi !

I guess even if the thread is old, it still is of actuality ...
So My VIN say I have sat preparation but if I put the VIN in Sirius lookup system, they say it's all ready to go, just click on Trial button.
Does that mean that I already have the FSC code setup in my car or it's Sirius going over board when they say "good to go" ?

J
No, not at all. If car has 693 Sat Radio Prep, it has no 6F FSC code. PM me your short VIN (last 7) and i can confirm yours.
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      11-14-2019, 06:00 PM   #13
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So what are the steps for me to pay $168 to activate my satellite option?
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      11-14-2019, 07:48 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by notchy View Post
So what are the steps for me to pay $168 to activate my satellite option?
PM sent.
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      11-15-2019, 02:18 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hydrocarbon View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by 335i_4D View Post
As for the annoyance, I do also think that something that doesn't cost a thing more to BMW should have been included in the Premium kit at least.

Some lower brand have it built-in.
Yeah exactly. That's the annoyance factor for me, my last car was a 2011 Jetta SE that cost less than half as much and had satellite built in - as did audio streaming over Bluetooth I might add!

Yeah $168 may be 'pretty damn cheap' in the scheme of things but for something that should be included it's obnoxious.

Anyway, thanks for the help guys. I appreciate it!
I realize this post is 5.5 years old, but you do pay for it in both cases, whether it's a line item or not.

The BMW way allows you to save money and not to pay for it if you are not going to subscribe to it.
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      11-23-2019, 12:39 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shawnsheridan View Post
PM sent.
Shawn,
Could you also send me the details for this? My friend just bought a new G01 and wants Sirius. Can I obtain KAFAS2 FSC codes like SLI and HBA from the same source?

Thanks
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      11-23-2019, 01:14 PM   #17
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Originally Posted by fcx56 View Post
Shawn,
Could you also send me the details for this? My friend just bought a new G01 and wants Sirius. Can I obtain KAFAS2 FSC codes like SLI and HBA from the same source?

Thanks
PM sent, and yes, you can.
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      02-14-2020, 06:40 AM   #18
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I just purchased a 2017 430i which is sat ready... Would it be possible to get those details for activation? I'd greatly appreciate it.
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      02-14-2020, 07:40 AM   #19
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Originally Posted by Morogan View Post
I just purchased a 2017 430i which is sat ready... Would it be possible to get those details for activation? I'd greatly appreciate it.
PM sent.
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      02-14-2020, 07:56 AM   #20
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Is this the same for the F25 X3?

I recently got a 2017 X3 and yesterday Sirius sent me an email about how my XM trial has been activated to my X3, but in the navigation system, I don't see anything about satellite radio in the multimedia section.

I too would like to know what I need to activate it.

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      02-14-2020, 08:53 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shoman24v View Post
Is this the same for the F25 X3?

I recently got a 2017 X3 and yesterday Sirius sent me an email about how my XM trial has been activated to my X3, but in the navigation system, I don't see anything about satellite radio in the multimedia section.

I too would like to know what I need to activate it.
PM sent.
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      03-02-2020, 08:40 AM   #22
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hi there.. looking to activate Sirius satellite since it doesn't show up in my media options - please PM details for code - TY
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