Finally going to do this and had some questions:
FTR: I am choosing XM because it seems like it works better than Sirius and I am hoping/assuming we will get the Sirius channels anyways.

Now to the questions:

1. Does XM require an external antenae?
2. Where do you find the clublexus discuont I keep reading about
3. Can the external anenae be insdie the car or does it have to be on the outside?

THanks.

My car is a 06 gs 430 - no sharkfin

 

Search is your friend! There are lots of threads on XM radio installs. Since you have no sharkfin, you will need to have a tiny black antenna installed somewhere on the exterior (can't be inside). Mine is at the front edge of the trunk.

 

It can be inside, although the reception may not be as good. I have mine on the rear package shelf on the passenger side.

 

discount code for sewell is CL911M
gets you 10% off order

 

can you provide pics of the outside mount and also the xm instal on the inside? I'm now in the same boat so want to see it on the outside...I have heard of the black antenna on the left back window area

 

thanks for the reply...
i did not even try and search because for some reason I thought the search was disabled but may have had that confused with another forum.

My dealer told me (Newport Lexus) that they now offer both but the XM has much less problems..

Any truth to this?

N

 

What kind of problems are they referring to? Installation issues? Because I don't think there are any post-installation operation problems with either brand (and now the merged brand).

 

THe dealer told me that the parts for each kit come directly from Lexus and that for a while the Sirius kits were pulled from being sold.
Since they are now both an option again, the dealer mentioned that they have a lot more "issues" with Sirius than with XM. Primarily reception issues as the dealer likes to put the anennae on the shelf by the back speaker.

They basically said XM has always worked well but no I have compared them and Sirius has a much better channel lineup.

 

Mine was originally next to the trunk. Had it moved to the window

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p185/IzzoneFL/Lexus008.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p185/IzzoneFL/Lexus007.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p185/IzzoneFL/Lexus006.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>

 

Can you post a picture of where it is on your trunk? Mine is on the right fender, to the right of the trunk. The reason because they told me to bring an antenna from inside through a trunk in the middle of it will be hard because the only connection between a trunk and a trunk lid is seasaw closing mechanism and a ribbon electric cable. Therefore, it will be hard to snake in the antenna cable from inside on to a trunk lid. So, I'm curious how is it being done in your car?

 

Thats the correct way twister. Now make sure if your going to do it you get the new kit which has the smaller attenna. The old kit has that huge attenna. That part number lexus-parts is the old kit. I can't see them still having it but make sure you request the small attenna. The large one will not fit on that rear fender

 

Not to add to the confusion but I was told for best reception the antenea should be facing FORWARD...IE on your windshield.

My question is--- Is the bottom of the antenae just as good as recieving as the top...What I mean by that is what if you mount the antenae on the inside of your front windshield by the rearview mirror where the top is actually facing inside your car?

The problem is none of the dealers know jack $%#^ about this product, you go to 5 delaers and you will get five answers.

Even worse is the pricing ... Lexus of Westminister quoted me $ 475 for the XM kit installed while Tustin Lexus wants $ 1200 and said they can do either XM or Sirius made by Lexus which apparently they can not do since Sirius is still not availble.

BTW- Not Checked for spelling but did notice that this thread has spelled antenea about 500 different ways which I am still to lazy to look up!

 

I've had aftermarket XM installs in several vehicles with the antenna installed in many locations - inside and outside, up front and out back. To be honest, I’ve found that if the signal in the area I’m driving is strong enough, it'll get reception just about anywhere I placed it (as long as the top of it is in sight of the sky).

My advice to you, for what it’s worth, is before you (or the dealer) mount the antenna permanently; try it temporarily where your ideal location is. Depending on the antenna you have, many have a very long lead. This gives you options on where you can place for a test. If your antenna cable is too short, grab a cheap rf extension from RadioShack. Return it when you’re done experimenting.

For many on CL, the antenna is on the back ledge. Before you (or the dealer) permanently install it there, try it for reception first just by snaking it through the rear armrest. Drive it around on your daily routines. If it works, yahoo, if it doesn't, try another spot.

Just my 2 cents…

 

Oh, already had it installed back in December. Its a very small 1"x2" antenna dot. Reception could be better in wooded areas, but I'm right in a middle between NYC and Philly, so I can't pickup terrestial repeater antenna signals and only rely on a satellite communication. My plan was to switch to Sharkfin antenna since I know a lot of people with Acura TL xm-sharkfins respliced their connector and hooked up to Sirius with a great reception. Just with a current xm-sirius merger announcement, I decided to wait with cutting of any cables in the car.

And, reception has nothing to do with XM or Sirius being worse in comparision. They both have 3 satellites in the skies. They both have terrestrial repeater antennas in big cities because skyscrapers block a clear view of the sky. Its just a matter of geographic location where it seems that XM has a better reception on the West Coast, while Sirius is better on East Coast.