Whats in the Shark Fin?

[suntigen]

I have an E46 manufactured in 1/2004.

What antennas are in the shark fin? I know GPS and Radio are there... but is there satelite radio? Cell phone? Anything else?

- matthewk

 

[membim]

I would like to know as well. My 04 was manufactured in April of 03 and I don't have a shark fin. Thanks in advance for the replies.

 

[Fabp_330Ci]

The shark fin is for BMW Assist only. The GPS antenna is not integrated into the shark fin. The regular radio's antenna is built into the rear window. The Sirius satellite antenna is a separate round, flat antenna that gets mounted by BMW on the rear trunklid. However, some people (like myself) have mounted the Sirius antenna on the inside rear deck.

The cell phone antenna I'm not sure about. I would guess its incorporated into the shark fin along with BMW Assist.

There was a thread a while back where the shark fin was installed. Here's the link:

http://www.bmwboard.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7938&highlight=shark+fin

Hope this helps!

 

[theBMWenthusiast]

i know it only comes with assists but didn't know that it didn't have anything else in there also

 

[bmwrocks]

I totally agree with Fabp_330Ci, but to confuse the matter, I asked my salesman at the BMW center and he claims the antenna is for GPS as well.

 

[JTravick]

Only BMW knows for sure whats in it. Im sure the Sharkfin also has a constantly transmitting subliminal messages to hypnotise BMW drivers and passengers to buy or continue buying BMW's. This is my second BMW, and I know I will only own BMW's (long as I can afford to), and any passenger I ever have talks about getting one... And my eight year old daughter, too. Whats the deal?

 

[gizzy]

Since the Fin is on the car when you have BMW assist, it would have at least

1. Cell antenna for voice & data communication with BMW assist.
2. GPS antenna (probably not used for NAV system) so that BMW assist knows where you are (Big brother is watching you.... HAHAHAHA)

 

[bmwrocks]

2. GPS antenna (probably not used for NAV system) so that BMW assist knows where you are (Big brother is watching you.... HAHAHAHA)

Gizzy, you have solved the issue. This sounds right on target. This would explain the stealership saying it is a GPS antenna even in a car without nav.

The GPS is part of the phone system in this case. My cell phone has the same GPS feature and will broadcast its position either all the time, or for an emergency call only (user selectable).

You da man Gizzy!!

 

[Fabp_330Ci]

Since the Fin is on the car when you have BMW assist, it would have at least

1. Cell antenna for voice & data communication with BMW assist.
2. GPS antenna (probably not used for NAV system) so that BMW assist knows where you are (Big brother is watching you.... HAHAHAHA)

I never thought of that but it makes perfect sense. Great point Gizzy

 

[samlee4444]

Hey, have you guys heard that the BMW assist will allow phone calls to your car? You can't make outbound calls, but can receive incoming calls....well at least you used to be able to until the software was updated. Read this thread below...

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47567&highlight=bmw+assist+call

Let me know if anyone has tried this.