Lexus: Satillite Radio For 2004 ES330 w/Nav/ML

> The 2004 ES330 with Nav/ML has an AM-SAT button. I understand that 

I don't have specific information but it given that OEM car GPS systems, car
phones, and stereo systems cost several times what add-on aftermarket
systems costs, I bet this price is probably what you'll have to pay if you
want an integrated system.

- Mark

The price you heard for the Lexus add-on is approx the same that I heard,
and you're right, that's absurd. The aftermarket stuff will work, but of
course doesn't "integrate" transparently, meaning that your radio display
in the dash won't display the name of the artist & tune like it would
otherwise. Also, there is no direct connection to the Lexus sound system
available, meaning that you'd have to use the casette adaptor and set the
selector to "tape". This works, tho the fidelity is lacking and audio
purists won't be happy. Still $800 sure seems like a disproportionate
amount of gelt to have to lay down just for the Lexus XM option. Anyone
who goes for it is (IMO) living proof that a fool and his money are soon
parted.

For anyone on the fence, let me just say this. I've got XM in my Dodge Ram
pickup using an aftermarket kit, but it's hardwired in to an aux input on
the sound system and so sounds really great. However, having had it for 3
months now I'm less enthusiastic about it today than I was when I first
put it in. I enjoy '70 hits but it seems like XM plays a whole lot of the
'B-side' cuts and not a lot of what I bought it to hear.

It's in and I'll probably continue subscribing for a while longer, but if
I knew then what I know now, I wouldn't have bought it.

In article <de> "David Z" <net>
writes:
 

Thanks for the info.

I realize that you car buy an XM receiver and put it in any car. That's
not what I meant by "aftermarket." When I said aftermarket, I was
talking about a product that would integrate with the car's sound
system, etc. just like the Lexus kit.


"New Owner" <wdg@[206.180.145.133]> wrote in message
news:com... 
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To the best of my knowledge there is nothing in the way of any aftermarket
auto sound equipment that will "integrate" or correctly hook straight up
to any factory-original Lexus sound system, regardless of what it is.

Lexus has made sure that your fine Lexus car will either be "all Lexus" or
else it will have to be butchered by "Dumb and Dumber" after which Lexus
won't service that component anymore (except maybe tear it all out and
replace it with a factory stock system again).


In article <de> "David Z" <net>
writes:
 

My 04 LS430 had the AM /Satellite button. I added the Lexus XM tuner
installed by the dealer. It was $740 and installed last December when they
first came out. It is fully integrated and works great. The only problem is
the Head unit only displays 12 characters of the 20 broadcast for song
information. I recently got a dealer ad with a $400 special for XM
installation This was from Lexus of Highland Park, just north of Chicago.
This seems more reasonable with the tuner kit (Pioneer) costing around $200
non Lexus at Best Buy and 2 hrs dealer labor to install. By the way the non
Lexus tuner kit from Pioneer doesn't have compatible connectors to use in a
Lexus.

"New Owner" <wdg@[206.180.145.133]> wrote in message
news:com... 

Thanks for the info. Some questions:

- How's the sound quality compared to FM? compared to other XM
receivers (i.e., do you get premium sound for the premium price)?

- Where's the antenna? How does it look?


"Frank Fitzgerald" <net> wrote in message
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In article <de> "David Z" <net>
writes:
 

I'll let Frank address his Lexus experience. My own experience was with
the little "Roady" aftermarket unit from Delphi ($99 special) and with
installing it (non-integrated) in my Dodge Ram (club cab) pickup.
Off-Topic for this group, but bear with me here.

I should start by saying my truck already has a mid-priced Pioneer
aftermarket sound system in it with upgraded speakers, but no outboard
amplifier and no sub woofers (and no idiotic "monster cable").

Not wanting to tear into the dash (again) I started by using the Roady's
"FM Modulator" which provided a really quick and dirty hookup. The problem
was that the fidelity was no better that an ordinary FM station, if
anything, worse, noticeably lacking highs and lows. Major disappointment.

Next I tried the casette tape adaptor. This was a noticeable improvement
in fidelity, but still nowhere near what I was led to believe was
possible. My favorite tapes, even homemade copies still sounded much
better.

Finally, at the recommendation of Mobile-One (local car audio store) the
dash was opened up and a Pioneer interface cable kit ($30) was used to
direct-wire the Roady's audio output to the Pioneer's aux input (intended
for a multi-disk CD changer). While we had the dash apart it was also a
good opportunity to conceal all the wiring and direct wire the 12v power
lead (another adaptor required because the Roady is actually a 6-volt
unit).

The extra work getting the Roady's audio output direct-wired to the
Pioneer's aux input really paid off in spades! Fidelity is magnificent!
Not quite "CD quality" but very good. It compares absolutely equal to my
son's new 2004 Accord with factory XM. Remember, the XM unit, even for the
Lexus, is only a tuner and the signal is digital. There is no audio
processing or enhancement or "quality" issues regardless of what tuner you
buy. When it comes to satellite radio, a tuner is a tuner. Price
differentials merely get you some additional creature comforts/features,
but no better quality audio.

The Roady's antenna is approx the size of a squashed golf ball and has a
very tiny black wire running to it. We started out just laying it on the
dash as far forward as possible. That sort-of worked but there were a lot
of signal dropouts, which I deemed as significant because the Roady (all
XM receivers actually) buffer 5-10 secs of program content to literally
eliminate problems with signal flutter. Obviously the antenna needed to be
outside.

With the antenna (magnet-mount) laying on the roof right by the passenger
side door edge so that the wire could be almost totally concealed in the
windshield edge seal, reception is 100% until I pull into the garage.
Remember, this is *satellite* radio, so if the antenna cannot see either
of the two satellites and you're not in one of the major metro areas
served by terrestrial repeaters, an obscured view of the sky means no
signal.

Now then, back on topic! I have a 96 LS400 with the Levinson sound package
in it (and only 54k miles). I realize that the fully integrated Lexus XM
package is not available for my car. However, if it were and if I wanted
XM radio in my Lexus, the fully integrated factory package is the only
option I would consider. Price notwithstanding and I agree it's borderline
usury, the difference in audio quality between the various aftermarket
hookup methods make all of the non-Lexus options unacceptable. If you're
wanting to put XM radio in your Lexus, do it right or don't do it.

Finally, make sure this is something you **really** want before doing it.
I've had XM now for a little over 3 months and will have to admit that the
bloom on the rose is beginning to wilt. The glow is off the marriage.
Quality is still quite good and it's nice having instant traffic & weather
and access to CNN, MSNBC, FOX news, etc. Some of the X-rated comedy is
really funny, but it's all 3-4 minute snippets and no full length comedy
show. Music (my own personal tastes for 70's pop hits) has been a
disappointment. During my morning and afternoon commutes I find there are
very few "hits" and most content is the stuff that never made it very far
up the charts. I find myself doing a lot of channel surfing.

"New Owner" <wdg@[206.180.145.133]> wrote in message
news:com...
 

That was my sense. Thanks for confirming it. I bought the Nav/ML
package primarily for the ML. I'm not about to buy an inferior XM
package at this point.
 

Yes, this is a concern. The Acura TL has a little bump on the roof, but
it's painted the same color as the car. I don't want something
odd-looking or something that's not permanently attached to the car that
someone can easily rip off.
 

Hmmm. That's food for thought.
 

If you're looking for hits, then I wouldn't think that FM is a better
option.
 

Actually, that's the kind of stuff I like. <G>