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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > AUDIO/VIDEO + BLUETOOTH + Electronics/Alarm/Software > Why I've decided to keep Sirius..



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      07-11-2005, 11:11 PM   #1
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Why I've decided to keep Sirius..

Originally, I spec'd my car without Satellite radio, but my salesguy found me a car that is already on the ship with all the options/color I want and the extra Sat Radio pkg. My other choice is to build a new order, wait for 8~10 weeks for delivery. So I opted to pay the extra $$ and get this car that's already on route. My reasoning is, if I don't like it, I can stop the service after the 1year prepay is up, and when I do sell the car later, the Sirius pkg may be important to some buyers.

After using it for 2 weeks, I can understand why some people are dissapointed with Sirius, the sound quality is not great, but not bad either. In some areas where the signal is strong, it sounds really good, but for dense tracks like Rock, you can hear some failings in the sonic quality. But more often than not, it does not bother me, and during the rare times it does, I just switch to another channel..

So what made me decide to keep it?
1) Traffic updates. Sirius dedicated channels to traffic updates in metropolitan cities, like LA, San Diego, San Francisco.. etc. I am fortunate to live in LA, but I certainly hope that they continue to expand to more cities.. During my trip up north, I was able to tune into traffic updates, including 2.40 in the morning (I think its 24hr service), where it correctly told me of a freeway closure on the I-5. I tuned into the station a little late, and was caught in the jam nevertheless. However, had I checked earlier, I could have taken surface streets.

The next morning, while navigating to Venice Beach from the SF Valley, I tuned into Sirius traffic and found out 2 accidents that was on the 101 East bound and the 405 Southbound. Both accidents were NOT reported on the FM traffic updates I usually. I tuned into the FM stations for 10minutes to see if they will mention it later, but did not hear it. Regardless, because of this info, I took surface streets with the help of my Navigation. Bottom line, love it.

2) Coverage. Never do I need to tune into another station when I leave town since Sirius is satellite radio. Which means, no more country music for me when going thru the desert to get to Las Vegas.

3) Great channels / selection : One of my fav is Chill channel. This is the perfect station to "chill" out. Its one of these channels that play atmospheric jazz/ relaxed ambient music. On long drives, its indispensable. There's also 3 classical channels and plenty of news channels to choose from : CNN, NPR, BBC etc. Nothing like a good dose of British accents after crumpets & tea at Santana Row, San Jose. There's this one British lady (host of a serious talk show) on the air late at night (on BBC or NPR talk) that sounds like she's ready to keel over.. it's hilarious.

4) Program information. This is one of the coolest features. It shows the song names/ artists of the song currently playing on the channel. I suppose when RDS for regular radio stations comes out for people with I-drive, this point will be moot. But for now, its great for I can instantly get information whenever I happen upon something I like on air.

5) Lifetime upgrade. Been hearing about other members saying that Sirius is offering lifetime subscriptions til jan 2006. For us BMW owners, we get prorated for 1 year since its already paid. Great news for people who intend to keep their cars for more than 3~4 years, bad news for people who crashes their car often..

So in the end, I've decided that I will keep my Sirius radio after all, perhaps checking into this lifetime upgrade deal as well before the offer ends.
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      07-11-2005, 11:57 PM   #2
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Thanks for the thoughtful write up. I've ordered my car with Sat radio but I'm on the fence about it, especially regarding sound quality.
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      07-11-2005, 11:59 PM   #3
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I checked out Corinne May's site. Enchanting music.
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      07-12-2005, 01:18 AM   #4
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I'm glad you like it. But after listening to Sirius on my dad's Jeep, I was really dissapointed with the music selection. I thought it was going to be as diverse as iTunes radio, but it is not. The station selections are extremely mainstream and pedestrian, in my opinion. I really couldn't find one station to listen to.
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      07-12-2005, 08:05 AM   #5
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I saved the $75 for the prep. I dont think it is worth the money unless you far drive to work.
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      07-12-2005, 08:50 AM   #6
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once you listen to it you won't be able to listen to normal radio, mp3 players just let you listen to the same stuff over and over. The quality is just as good as FM if not a bit better. If you can't find something to listen to on sirius you must listen to some interesting stuff, I have about 10 channels I bounce between. I'm not only hooked on Sat, I'll only buy cars that have factory sirius availalbe from now on
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      07-12-2005, 09:22 AM   #7
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ward i hear you..... :rocks:

Sirius's programming is excellent, I also have my full 12 presets that I have in rotation.

Between the sports coverage (NFL especially), the news/traffic/weather at all times, the comedy channels, the maxim channel, and of course the regular music stations, it is great!

As I said in other threads the Sirius company is focused mainly on good programming opposed to XM which is focused more on new technology.

However, both are working to increase technology, and programming will continue to improve. (Don't forget for all you Howard fans, Stern will be on Sirius starting in January 2006.) The whole satellite radio thing is still fairly new and up and coming. Get in now while you can still get the lifetime plan for $499 - 1 year (Included with BMW E90) = $350 and never pay another bill!

In this corner.....

Sirius XM
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      07-12-2005, 10:01 AM   #8
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Now with ads being placed on sat radio, it has just become radio you have to pay for. I can donload all the music i want on the internet for free. 1000's of songs on an iPod or mp3 player. Or burnt cd's with 150 songs for 5cents? I am not cheap but damn that sounds a lot better to me.
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      07-12-2005, 10:55 AM   #9
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Sirius doesn't have commercials on the actual RADIO shows, maybe between shows or whatever but the actual shows the only advertising you will hear is for other shows on SIRIUS which basically keeps you informed on the product you are paying monthly for so I would consider that beneficial.

Trust me I was the first person to say paying for radio is the dumbest thing ever (when this whole sirius, xm thing started back a few years ago)

I also have the IPOD integrated and thousands of songs on there easily accessible, so I understand that logic.

I listen to the rap stations mostly and you hear a good amount of new music that just isn't out on singles or cd's yet as well as WAX which is all mixes and BACKSPIN which is Old school like 80's and early 90's rap. So for me it makes it worth it because who really has Grandmaster Flash on their IPOD but then again if it was on Sirius once a year it would be a nice treat.
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      07-12-2005, 10:56 AM   #10
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I sound like a freakin spokesperson, I am done with my SIRIUS campaign!

PUNCHING OUT!
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      07-12-2005, 11:00 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scottz5
Now with ads being placed on sat radio, it has just become radio you have to pay for. I can donload all the music i want on the internet for free. 1000's of songs on an iPod or mp3 player. Or burnt cd's with 150 songs for 5cents? I am not cheap but damn that sounds a lot better to me.
1) There are absolutely no commercials on music stations on Sirius
2) Your "free" downloads are "free" because they are stolen. So, yeah, if you think that's ok (you must be since you're boasting about it on the internet) then it sure is a much better deal. While you're at it why don't you just steal all the CDs you need from your local music store and leave them 5 cents per CD? You could also swipe a CD changer from your dealer and you'd be all set.
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      07-12-2005, 11:07 AM   #12
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As I said in other threads, the quality of Sirius still disappoints me, but I'm content with it because of the VERY wide selection and the country-wide availability. Driving from state to state to state with the same station on, with continuous music and no ads is very valuable. Add to that the continuous access to so many news stations (my favorite is the BBC) and the like... that is simply awesome.
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      07-12-2005, 11:13 AM   #13
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My Sirius radio is being installed today, along with the alarm system.

January. Howard Stern. 'nuff said.
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      07-12-2005, 02:38 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by silverado
1) There are absolutely no commercials on music stations on Sirius
2) Your "free" downloads are "free" because they are stolen. So, yeah, if you think that's ok (you must be since you're boasting about it on the internet) then it sure is a much better deal. While you're at it why don't you just steal all the CDs you need from your local music store and leave them 5 cents per CD? You could also swipe a CD changer from your dealer and you'd be all set.
1. I read that stations will have to start due to $$ problems. (I think it was in the NY times)

2. Yes, I steal music if that is what you want to call it. I look at it as I share music. Most of the songs that I have downloaded I have the CD or had the tape as a kid. Hence, I have already paid for it. (Old School rap, 80's rock) But if you want to call that stealing ok so be it.

3. I still buy CD's and copy them for my car so I dont have to be careful with them.

4. Lets do some math

75.00 prep + 120.00 a year times 3yrs (1st is paid for)+ 595.00 = 1,030.00

WOW that is a lot of $$$ for radio.

Lets see 1030.00 buys about 68 cd's

One plus with sat. radio is hopefully you will get some money back when you sell the car. I would guess about 150.00. 1030.00-150.00 = 880.00

I dont hate it just kinda think it is a waste of money unless you love Howard
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      07-12-2005, 05:15 PM   #15
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The only chanels that will ever have ads are the talk channels,
you can get factory installed sirius for about $600, then $350 for lifetime sub and you're hooked up for life for $950
you can move your subscription with you for 3 different cars, that 950 will cover your subscription costs for the next 3 cars you get!!!

68 cds is nothing compared to the variety you've got from sat radio. I don't even use CD's anymore.
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      07-12-2005, 05:38 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ward
The only chanels that will ever have ads are the talk channels,
you can get factory installed sirius for about $600, then $350 for lifetime sub and you're hooked up for life for $950
you can move your subscription with you for 3 different cars, that 950 will cover your subscription costs for the next 3 cars you get!!!

68 cds is nothing compared to the variety you've got from sat radio. I don't even use CD's anymore.
Times reported many stations will due to $$$ problems. MTV never had commericals either lol.

I guess 950 for three cars is not bad. It just seems like a waste to pay for the radio imo.
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      07-12-2005, 05:53 PM   #17
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That's the same thing people said about paying for cable TV back in the day, why pay when the networks are free??

if sirius and XM can provide a service that people find is worth money, they'll both be in business a long time.

I'm sure you aren't alone in thinking it's silly to pay for radio, but I think the more people that try, more people will realize it is worth 12 bucks a month

The real test is, can you have sat radio for a few months and then give it up??
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      07-12-2005, 06:13 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ward
That's the same thing people said about paying for cable TV back in the day, why pay when the networks are free??
So true! Here's someother things that we can't go back:

1 from 14.4k modem to 56k - from 56k modem to cable modem!

2 from reg cable TV to TIVO. (There are so many times I wish I can skip back 10 secs like TIVO does on my regular DVD player)
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      07-13-2005, 05:22 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Spaceman
So true! Here's someother things that we can't go back:

1 from 14.4k modem to 56k - from 56k modem to cable modem!

2 from reg cable TV to TIVO. (There are so many times I wish I can skip back 10 secs like TIVO does on my regular DVD player)
Good point but cable TV has soft porn LMAO. Just joking, but I do think TV Watching vs. Listening is a little different.

I love tech. stuff like my treo 650 phone, TIVO, computers, and Ect. I just dont get sat radio. I had a loaner for a few days with it and played for it a while then put in a cd in and forgot it was in the car. I live near NJ and Philly and get both stations clearly so maybe it is different for me.
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