08 Altima - Change out XM radio functionality with Sirius

[logan3975]

I had Sirius in my old car, until it died. I took out my system and bought a new car, Nissan Altima. It came with 3 months free of XM. My subscription for XM runs out next week so I want to install Sirius in.

XM runs through the dash portion of the cars control system. You can use the steering wheel to change channels, volume, source, etc.

Is there a way to install Sirius so I can keep all the same functionality as I have with XM radio?If so what do I need?

It's not the worst thing to have it suction-cupped to the windshield, I just would prefer not to do that with this car.

Any help would be great.

I spoke with Best Buy who installed it and they said to check about a Sirius tuner for Nissan but Sirius doesn't make one specifically for Nissan.

[nascar9900]

Which radio do you have? The base radio or the Bose?

[logan3975]

I have the Bose system.

[nascar9900]

I asked this question directly to Nissan. Here is their response:

In regards to your email, Sirius Satellite is not available on Nissan vehicles, you may have to contact a third party to install a receiver.

We hope that this information answers your question, but if you need any additional information or have further questions, please let us know by reply e-mail or by calling 1-800-647-7263 and pressing "0" for a live operator.

So, you cannot buy the car with Sirius. But unfortunately, this does not answer the question, "Does the Bose use a separate box to receive XM or is it built into the radio?" If it uses a separate box, then there is a good chance someone will sell a Sirius receiver to replace the XM box.

[logan3975]

I asked this question directly to Nissan. Here is their response:

In regards to your email, Sirius Satellite is not available on Nissan vehicles, you may have to contact a third party to install a receiver.

We hope that this information answers your question, but if you need any additional information or have further questions, please let us know by reply e-mail or by calling 1-800-647-7263 and pressing "0" for a live operator.

So, you cannot buy the car with Sirius. But unfortunately, this does not answer the question, "Does the Bose use a separate box to receive XM or is it built into the radio?" If it uses a separate box, then there is a good chance someone will sell a Sirius receiver to replace the XM box.

I talked with Nissan and it is a separate box. I think I might just have to take it to Nissan or Best Buy and have them pull off my dash to look at the connections. I just can't believe that there isn't something out there that would work.

[rjdmmfl1]

I talked with Nissan and it is a separate box. I think I might just have to take it to Nissan or Best Buy and have them pull off my dash to look at the connections. I just can't believe that there isn't something out there that would work.

sorry, just now reading this for the first time... there's a seperate box for bluetooth and XM radio.. these are on the driver's side of the trunk, underneath the car jack and foam.

no way to connect sirius to the factory nissan stuff, and there's no way to retain steering wheel function of sirius satellite unless you get an aftermarket deck with aftermarket sirius tuner

[logan3975]

sorry, just now reading this for the first time... there's a seperate box for bluetooth and XM radio.. these are on the driver's side of the trunk, underneath the car jack and foam.

no way to connect sirius to the factory nissan stuff, and there's no way to retain steering wheel function of sirius satellite unless you get an aftermarket deck with aftermarket sirius tuner

Do they make an aftermarket deck with aftermarket sirius tuner?

[rjdmmfl1]

yes, tons of them

pretty much all companies are making their decks compatible with XM r Sirius aftermarket tuners specifically for their company...

Do they make an aftermarket deck with aftermarket sirius tuner?

[logan3975]

yes, tons of them

pretty much all companies are making their decks compatible with XM r Sirius aftermarket tuners specifically for their company...

I don't even know where to look. Can you help point me in the right direction? Any help would be wonderful. Thanks.

[tarek]

logan3975, if you go on crutchfield.com and pick any head unit, you can go to the accessories tab and there should be a section for Satellite Radio Tuners. For example the Alpine CDA-9885 (I picked it completely at random): If you go to the Accessories tab on that page it'll show you what satellite tuner goes with that unit for both Sirius and XM. They should have that for most head units on the site.

That said, you're much better off buying from ebay or amazon because their prices are much cheaper. I only find crutchfield really useful for researching products and such, but they are often quite overpriced.

Oh, and if you're planning on buying an aftermarket head unit, you'll lose the steering wheel buttons unless you connect a separate interface. There's PAC SWI-PS for Pioneer/Sony headunits and PAC SWI-JACK for JVC/Alpine/Clarion/Kenwood. And here's a thread you can find more info about how to hook it up: Link

Hope this helps.

[nascar9900]

no way to connect sirius to the factory nissan stuff, and there's no way to retain steering wheel function of sirius satellite unless you get an aftermarket deck with aftermarket sirius tuner

That is unfortunate for us Sirius users.

I have one last hope - that if the Sirius / XM merger goes through, they may offer a reciever that replaces the current XM only capabiltiy with one that has combined reception capabilties. That would potentially allow me to receive Stern/NBA/NFL using my current package plan - and retain the steering wheel mounted controls.

rjgmmfl1 - Since you have an understanding of the technologies, do you think there is a chance this could happen?

[maxentropy]

Guys, just wait for the merger...

1. The company(s) would need to freeze prices for three years.2. "A la carte" options would need to be available within three months of the merger.3. 8% of their airspace (24 channels) would need to be dedicated to noncommercial and minority programming.

Hence, everyone will get the best of both worlds soon...

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/aponlin....html

[tarek]

From the same article that maxentropy linked: "In addition, the companies have pledged to offer radios that are capable of receiving both services within one year."

So there might be a full year's wait until there's a receiver capable of picking up both, and I can't find the article right now but when Satellite radios first got FCC approval a few years back they stated that they would do something similar, which was part of the reason they got the approval to begin with, but never did!

[nascar9900]

[QUOTE=maxentropy]Guys, just wait for the merger...

2. "A la carte" options would need to be available within three months of the merger.QUOTE]

I also read somewhere that in order to receive a la carte programming, you MUST have one of the new, dual receivers.

Therefore, a current XM radio is not likely to ever get all the NFL or NBA games. I guess they would put the more popular shows, such as Stern, on an open channel and charge for the "premium" service - but not all the sports.

But, if I could replace the XM receiver with a future dual receiver, then I might be able to transfer my subscription to the new receiver. This assumes the steering wheel controls will work with the new receiver.

The reason I am asking the question is because I am torn between getting the Connection Package on a new Altima. If I can't convert to Sirius, then I would save the money and just use my portable Sirius radio and forego the steering wheel controls.

Is the Bose and Bluetooth worth the extra $900?

[logan3975]

Guys, just wait for the merger...

2. "A la carte" options would need to be available within three months of the merger.QUOTE]

I also read somewhere that in order to receive a la carte programming, you MUST have one of the new, dual receivers.

Therefore, a current XM radio is not likely to ever get all the NFL or NBA games. I guess they would put the more popular shows, such as Stern, on an open channel and charge for the "premium" service - but not all the sports.

But, if I could replace the XM receiver with a future dual receiver, then I might be able to transfer my subscription to the new receiver. This assumes the steering wheel controls will work with the new receiver.

The reason I am asking the question is because I am torn between getting the Connection Package on a new Altima. If I can't convert to Sirius, then I would save the money and just use my portable Sirius radio and forego the steering wheel controls.

Is the Bose and Bluetooth worth the extra $900?

I have the Bose and Bluetooth and I think they are worth it. I just have the problem of deciding if I should just use my sirius the way I had it or pay for an aftermarket radio, a sirius tuner, the adapter to use the steering wheel controls, and a bluetooth box so I can have that function again. Or if I should just wait for the merge and see what they make for us. I would rather not buy a whole new radio system but I hate to lose the steering wheel functions and dash functions that are with the factory radio.

[tarek]

I have the Bose and Bluetooth and I think they are worth it. I just have the problem of deciding if I should just use my sirius the way I had it or pay for an aftermarket radio, a sirius tuner, the adapter to use the steering wheel controls, and a bluetooth box so I can have that function again. Or if I should just wait for the merge and see what they make for us. I would rather not buy a whole new radio system but I hate to lose the steering wheel functions and dash functions that are with the factory radio.

Is XM really that much different than Sirius? Just seems like a lot of work and money to go through just to get Sirius....alternatively why don't you get a Sirius tuner which you can plug into the AUX jack or something. You won't be able to control it with the steering wheel controls, but it kinda beats all the money/trouble of replacing the whole system. This is assuming you're happy with the rest of the factory system the way it is...if you're already wanting/planning to replace the system then more power to ya!

[logan3975]

Is XM really that much different than Sirius? Just seems like a lot of work and money to go through just to get Sirius....alternatively why don't you get a Sirius tuner which you can plug into the AUX jack or something. You won't be able to control it with the steering wheel controls, but it kinda beats all the money/trouble of replacing the whole system. This is assuming you're happy with the rest of the factory system the way it is...if you're already wanting/planning to replace the system then more power to ya!

I already have a subscription with Sirius and the 3 months free of XM ran out in my new altima. That's why I want the sirius to replace the XM....I just wish is was something easy. And listening to XM, there is a difference. I don't lose reception with Sirius like I did with XM...unless I'm in a tunnel or sometimes a bridge....but XM loses reception all the time. Very annoying.

[maxentropy]

I also read somewhere that in order to receive a la carte programming, you MUST have one of the new, dual receivers.

You could be completely true, it's still all up in the air until someone confirms it.

I have the Bose and Bluetooth and I think they are worth it.

I agree 100%. The integrated bluetooth is invaluable to me and works wonders!

Is XM really that much different than Sirius? Just seems like a lot of work and money to go through just to get Sirius....

I have XM in my AC and IMHO, it sucks. They only have about 6 decent channels, and they usually end up playing the same damn song on 4 of those channels at once. My girlfriend has Sirius and there seems to be a much better selection of channels.

[tarek]

I have XM in my AC and IMHO, it sucks. They only have about 6 decent channels, and they usually end up playing the same damn song on 4 of those channels at once. My girlfriend has Sirius and there seems to be a much better selection of channels.

Oh I didn't realise there was such a difference music wise. I figured the only real difference lay in the talk shows and sports selections, neither of which I'm interested in I'm still trying to decide which one I want to go with here in Canada.

[logan3975]

A friend that works at the carmax nissan dealer where I got my car tested something for me and it worked.

She said that the '07 model consumers were given the option of having sirius or xm in their car. So she took the sirius tuner that was used for the '07 and went out on the lot to try it out. She replaced the xm box which she said is located in the trunk with the sirius tuner....replaced the antenna with the sirius antenna and everything worked perfectly. That's all she had to do. The dash works, the steering wheel functions work. So she ordered the parts for me and I picked them up today. She is going to hook it up in my car tomorrow.

I thought I would share this with you all in case you want to do the same thing.

[nascar9900]

This is great news (if it works).

Which radio do you have - the base or the Bose?

If it works, please post the model / part numbers.

[logan3975]

This is great news (if it works).

Which radio do you have - the base or the Bose?

If it works, please post the model / part numbers.

It did work. I had it installed today. I have the Bose system.The XM box is located in the trunk under where the speakers are. There are two boxes, the top one is the XM box and the bottom (bigger) one I think is the bluetooth.

The connecters fit perfectly and the antenna works great.

[nascar9900]

Great!

Did you get the part numbers? How much did it cost?

[logan3975]

Great!

Did you get the part numbers? How much did it cost?

The part number is: VP6ASF-18C961-BF

It is the factory sirius tuner. I googled the parts number and nothing really came up. I wonder if you can call Nissan or another dealer and buy it that way.

I don't know what the regular cost would be because I got it at cost which was $240. Not bad.

I hope this helps others that want to do this.

[nascar9900]

I was checking ebay and they have some sirius radio kits for the 2005-6 Altimas. 2005-6 buyers were given the option of XM or Sirius. The one on ebay requires the Bose radio and the car must be pre-wired for satellite.

Can you ask if the one you bought is specific for the 2007 - or was it also applicable to 05-06s?

[logan3975]

I was checking ebay and they have some sirius radio kits for the 2005-6 Altimas. 2005-6 buyers were given the option of XM or Sirius. The one on ebay requires the Bose radio and the car must be pre-wired for satellite.

Can you ask if the one you bought is specific for the 2007 - or was it also applicable to 05-06s?

I can't seem to get in touch with her right now. Can you provide a link to the one on ebay and I can see if they show the back of it? Maybe I can tell by looking at it if it would work.

I am thinking it will. She said it was for 2007 however I think consumers were given the choice in previous years, not just 2007.

[nascar9900]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...photo

Let know if this works.

(Thanks for the help. I'm trying to finalize a deal on an Altima right now I'm waiting for the yes or no to my offer. )
Modified by nascar9900 at 6:21 PM 6/24/2008

[logan3975]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...photo

Let know if this works.

(Thanks for the help. I'm trying to finalize a deal on an Altima right now I'm waiting for the yes or no to my offer. )

I think it will work. I wish there were pictures of the actual unit though. I will say it is the same exact price I paid for mine. That is the cost of it, not the retail cost.

[logan3975]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...photo

Let know if this works.

(Thanks for the help. I'm trying to finalize a deal on an Altima right now I'm waiting for the yes or no to my offer. )

Modified by nascar9900 at 6:21 PM 6/24/2008

Do you happen to have the VIN number? I am going to do a cross check to see if this unit will work for the car you are or want to buy.

[nascar9900]

I don't have the VIN yet. They have located the vehicle I want and need to get it moved to their lot.

I'll let you know when I get it.

Thanks for the help.