Satellite Radio

disordr · Feb 20, 2009

I bought the Satellite Radio option with the purchase of my IS-F.

I asked for Sirius Satellite. The dealer just called and said the installer only has XM, and would have to order the Sirius part, etc. Everywhere on Lexus, I see they are partnered with XM. Though Sirius-XM is one company now, they still have different programming and receivers. Can I get either one installed in my Lexus, or does it only integrate with the XM OEM piece? I'm new to SatRad but friends have Sirius and like it over XM programming.

Shall I have the dealer order me the Sirius part (if it exists, sales people like to make things up), or just have them install XM?

Thanks!

lowrider · Feb 20, 2009

I'm not a Satellite Radio guy, but if you want Sirius, get Sirius. Don't let them give you what they want. You have to pay for the subscription anyway. Get What You Wanr

My only experience with them is on my Satellite TV. When I had Dish they Had Sirius, now that I have DirecTV, I have XM. Of the two, I prefer Sirius. I would think they will have common programming soon, but who knows

̵Lou

Jeff Taylor · Feb 20, 2009

My dealer said that either XM or Sirius was available, but quoted $1200 installed. I decided I didn't like satellite radio that much

I had XM radio in my 04 Acura TL and when I canceled my subscription in October, they were already starting to eliminate redundant channels and sharing some across XM and Sirius. I don't know what they have done since then. If you visit xmradio.com or siruis.com, they should have updates on how the channel integration is coming.

My personal preference was for Sirius, but XM is pretty good too. I think you can get trial versions to the internet versions of both, so you might want to try those out on your computer for a while and see which you like best.

Good luck,

Jeff
08 Smoky Granite Mica IS-F

FChampOH · Feb 20, 2009

It has been explained to me that Lexus is now only offering XM as a dealer installed item. It would make sense that since XM and Sirius merged that they would actually merge their programming but that is not the case. You can get XM with "the best of Sirius" programming which gets you some of the more popular Sirius channels. This exclusivity may have something to do with the fact that the LS460 comes with XM live trafiic and now the 2010 is equipped with factory XM, just guessing-I'm just a salesperson.

Also XM should only run $499.00 for the factory unit installed which would include 90 days free.

disordr · Feb 20, 2009

Thanks for all the info.
After search the board a bit more and checking the website of each provider, I think I'm going to push my dealer for the Sirius install. I can get Sirius without best of XM for $12.95/month, versus 16.99 including best of XM which I dont care for. I do want the Sirius channels, so instead of getting XM with best of sirius for 16.99, I'll just get everything sirius.

-Philip

phootdr · Feb 20, 2009

disordr,

I assume you want the Sirius for Stern and the sports, not Oprah. The music is mostly the same on both since the merger. Don't insist on the Sirius receiver, because Lexus is (now) exclusively XM, as stated above. Instead, get the "best of Sirius", which probably will give you everything you want, and as stated above will cost $4/month. Have the dealership pick up the cost for the upgrade if you had discussed Sirius when negotiating (maybe for five years???). let them take the $250 off the final price or in the form of free service if you plan on having it worked on at their location. The car already has the XM in it, so it will cost them a lot less this way than to remove/replace the existing unit. Also FYI, I got them to install the Sirius in my F for free without trying too hard. Either way, they will not make the radio a deal breaker....so if you reiterate that it is THAT important to you, they will make it happen .

Also, watch where they put the satellite antenna. They originally put it next to the rearview mirror where the white bubbles are, which definitely affected the reception. If it is already installed there, address that point when you take delivery, so if you have a problem it will already be on record. Let me know if you have any questions, so far the satellite radio was my only issue with the car.

Tanglewood · Feb 24, 2009

I had Sirius installed at the dealer as part of the purchase last June. No problems whatsoever.

rutiger · Feb 25, 2009

and if you don't want to be ass raped by the dealer install it yourself. you can get all the parts you need for ~350. install is pretty easy other than the dash vents above the screen. my dealer also swore i couldn't get sat radio...at all. then after i proved them wrong they wanted to charge me ~700. and you can use the sharkfin antenna already present on the car as long as you order the adapter. i ordered all the parts needed from tss radio.

FChampOH · Feb 25, 2009

Yep, looks like you might want to install that yourself... It looks like it could be painful to go to the dealer..

disordr · Feb 26, 2009

Just picked my car up from the dealer. I got the XM unit installed and will just subscribe to the XM + sirius package. I negotiated the price of the XM install as part of my initial purchase.

Also got my windows tinted. medium on all 4 doors and dark in the back.
It's supposed to look better after a couple days, cause right now it looks kinda crappy.

Friday I'm getting my clearbra installed from areotect.

-Philip

Elizabeth · Mar 2, 2009

Satellite Radio in My 2005 Lexus

Hi,
I just bought a 2005 ES330 with nav and Mark Levinson sound system. One of the buttons around the nav screen is labeled "AM-SAT"
I know I would need a subscription to XM, but how do I know whether or not the radio in my car can receive it?
Dumb question, I know, but I really don't know......
Thank you.
Liz

disordr · Mar 2, 2009

Hey Liz,

Congratulations on the new ES! Your nav/ML unit should be capable of receiving an XM or Sirius Satellite radio module. It's also possible the previous owner had one installed and all you need to do is activate it. If you click on the am/sat button, does it tune to preview channel 1 or anything? The dealer or any competent installer should be able to install satellite radio for you for a reasonable fee.
Good luck!

IS-F-I-DID · Mar 8, 2009

Has anyone confirmed if there's a good way to get Sat Radio PLUS the I-phone/I-pod adaptor that displays your music in the navigation screen?

Jeff Taylor · Mar 8, 2009

IS-F-I-DID said:
Has anyone confirmed if there's a good way to get Sat Radio PLUS the I-phone/I-pod adaptor that displays your music in the navigation screen?

There is a VAISTech system available that will allow you to have satellite radio and iPod connectivity. I have it in my car for the iPod, but I elected not to pay the $1200 my dealer wanted for satellite radio.

Good luck,

Jeff
08 Smoky Granite Mica IS-F

Tanglewood · Mar 8, 2009

I have that set up

I have the Vaistech and Sirius both installed. Just got the Vaistech last week and all appears to be very good. Sound from the iPod on this unit is way better than the Aux jack. It cycles through from the steering wheel controls and you can choose by playlist.

I looked at, and actually ordered the Vaistech with the 40 GB hard drive but sent it back uninstalled after talking to the tech at the dealer and finding out it was very un user friendly. It should get better over time but it is not there yet.

Can't comment on cost though as the Siruis was part of the initial purchase deal and I haven't yet been given a bill for the Vaistech.

Any questions, just let me know.

David

Jeff Taylor · Mar 8, 2009

Tanglewood said:
Can't comment on cost though as the Siruis was part of the initial purchase deal and I haven't yet been given a bill for the Vaistech.

My dealer charged me $499 USD for the VAISTech unit including install which was the same they charged for the factory iPod adapter.

Jeff
08 Smoky Granite Mica IS-F

IS-F-I-DID · Mar 8, 2009

Jeff Taylor said:
My dealer charged me $499 USD for the VAISTech unit including install which was the same they charged for the factory iPod adapter.

Jeff
08 Smoky Granite Mica IS-F

And to confirm, this system would allow you both SAT radio access as well as I-pod/phone access?

David, how much did you pay?

Tanglewood · Mar 8, 2009

Cost

I'll post it when I get the bill. To confirm, I have both sat and iPod working with the display and steering wheel controls.

David

IS-F-I-DID · May 26, 2009

Tanglewood said:
I'll post it when I get the bill. To confirm, I have both sat and iPod working with the display and steering wheel controls.

David

Any updates?

My dealer is telling me I can have 1 or the other, not both Sat and I-pod integration. Do I simply need to purchase an aftermarket kit?

Tanglewood · May 28, 2009

Sorry, I forgot to post the cost and have now filed the receipt somewhere!

Your dealer is wrong. You can have both, I do. Both were done at my local dealer. I do remember them saying that experience counts on this one. Maybe your dealer wants to contact this one:

Metro Lexus
Victoria, BC CANADA
Sales & Service:
250-386-3516

Good luck with it,

David

Satellite Radio

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