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      04-15-2008, 04:15 PM   #1
Graemeb
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Shark fin.

Can anyone clariffy why on UK cars some seem to have the shark fin and some don't. All of the 135is I've seen have one, as do some of the 123ds (but not all) even amongst the same trim level, (M Sport) some seem to have it fitted but others dont???...
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      04-15-2008, 04:23 PM   #2
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Good question. The 123d M Sport Coupe I test drove didn't have one, but it also didn't have NAV or Bluetooth. My car when it arrives (!!!) will have Bluetooth, I'll let you know whether it has a fin.

I think I'd rather it didn't, it looks cleaner without, but I'm not that bothered.
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      04-15-2008, 04:26 PM   #3
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I know in the US the sharkfin is for bmw assist subscribers and also for the satelite radio. Hope that helps.
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      04-15-2008, 04:50 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by runfun1 View Post
I know in the US the sharkfin is for bmw assist subscribers and also for the satelite radio. Hope that helps.
Doesn't matter though if you get those options or not...you are getting a shark fin not matter what in the USA.
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      04-15-2008, 04:58 PM   #5
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standard on all US cars, only on UK cars with Bluetooth or nav
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      04-16-2008, 08:11 AM   #6
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i think it is standard on all BMW's that seems weird....mine certainly has a fin
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      04-17-2008, 11:47 AM   #7
Redy2Go 135i
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well, i ordered a car that does not have bluetooth, satelite or nav.. what purpose does the shark fin serve? i wonder if it can be removed or will it leave small hole or scratches. I dont think it serves well as an aerofoil or does it?
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      04-18-2008, 03:35 AM   #8
Graemeb
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I've been looking at various pics, and it seems that in the UK all 135is have the fin, but diesels only get one with the bluetooth / sat-nav etc..
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      04-19-2008, 04:06 AM   #9
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thats very interesting Graeme
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      04-19-2008, 04:12 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Graemeb View Post
I've been looking at various pics, and it seems that in the UK all 135is have the fin, but diesels only get one with the bluetooth / sat-nav etc..
Clearly, the diesel requires less directional stability than non diesels.:biggrin:
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      06-08-2008, 10:10 AM   #11
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You get it in thw UK with the DAB radio as well
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      06-09-2008, 05:46 AM   #12
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As already stated only UK BMW's with either Bluetooth and/or Sat Nav / DAB get the fin.

My car has neither so has no fin.
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      06-09-2008, 06:08 AM   #13
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My car has bluetooth and fin, all 135s in Australia come with bluetooth as standard and therefore come with the fin as standard
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      06-09-2008, 06:18 AM   #14
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My UK convertible has Bluetooth and Nav but does not have the shark fin.

The salesman told me that it is only necessary for DAB (so I didn't go for DAB). I checked it with BMW customer services because I didn't want the fin, but if I had to have it for Bluetooth/Nav then I might as well get the DAB as well. I shouldn't have doubted him because he really knew his stuff, but I had read all sorts of conflicting statements on the web. BMW confirmed exactly what he said, and my car duly arrived without the fin.

I don't know whether the requirements are different for the coupe or in different markets, but I can confirm that UK convertibles don't need it for Bluetooth or Nav.
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      06-09-2008, 06:51 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by moff View Post
As already stated only UK BMW's with either Bluetooth and/or Sat Nav / DAB get the fin.

My car has neither so has no fin.
Does that mean we get a horrible crappy black aerial somewhere instead then? Quite frankly I'd pay for DAB to not use it to avoid that

Edit: I've just checked your thread from when you got your car and can't see any aerial, so I'm assuming it's integrated in the rear screen/surrounding pillar like some other cars then?
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      06-09-2008, 08:08 AM   #16
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I'd guess that the aerial is in the rear screen for the coupe, but you can't avoid the "crappy" aerial in the convertible - they can't use the rear screen for obvious reasons and the fin probably isn't suitable for standard radio.

It might explain why there is conflicting information about which options require the fin. Maybe the better reception of the (I prefer "old school") aerial over the rear window one means that the fin isn't necessary for some options on the convertible but it is with the coupe.

However I know sweet fanny adams about aerials, so apologies if this makes no sense!
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      06-09-2008, 08:51 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MattD View Post
Does that mean we get a horrible crappy black aerial somewhere instead then? Quite frankly I'd pay for DAB to not use it to avoid that

Edit: I've just checked your thread from when you got your car and can't see any aerial, so I'm assuming it's integrated in the rear screen/surrounding pillar like some other cars then?
No fugly aerial here!

All built into the rear screen which is fairly standard on BMW's these days.

Yes, all verts get the evil black aerial.

We had one on our 330Ci Cab too... they are fugly, but can be replaced with a stubby S2000 aerial.
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      06-09-2008, 09:35 AM   #18
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Apologies IanM, "old school" is a much better term!

I took my bro to a BMW dealers near him, just outside Bristol, as I wanted to show him what I was getting. Didn't have a 135i coupe, but they did have a 135i 'vert in Sedona. That was the first time I actually noticed the black aerial, and he commented about hoping I wasn't getting one on my car.

You may have an aerial, but you can still put the top down on your car on days like these, so i guess that more than makes up for it
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      06-10-2008, 04:00 AM   #19
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I don't mind the aerial. I actually didn't even notice it until I first washed the car (which probably says more about my powers of observation than the aerial's subtlety)! I guess it's subjective because I notice the shark fin straight away on other cars and I really don't like it, and yet some people put it on even when it's not necessary.

The 'vert is great on days like these, although I've also been putting the top down whenever it's dry. I drive to work at 5am and the day after I picked the car up it was 6C and foggy, but I still had the top down. With the heated seats on and the blower on hot it was just about bearable, and I'm planning to get the wind protector to see if that helps. Hopefully it will mean I can put the top down whenever it's dry and over 10C, which is a fair chunk of the year (although probably more likely on the afternoon drive home than the 5am drive in the morning)!
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