I want to put XM radio in my 2003 Z (with Bose). Got a few questions, I know I can use the current head unit with an FM modulator or car kit, but will a 2004 head unit equiped with XM work with my car?
Now for the real bugger...I'm in Canada. XM does not sell its service to Canadians. My real question is...XM is a sattalite, so to say we can't get it here really means, you can get it, but we will not sell the service to you. Now, many people here use illegal cards to "steal" Direct TV. I dont really see it as stealing. Many people would love to purchase it, but they cant because Direct TV will not sell it legally to them. So, are there ways , like the illegal DTV cards, to get around XM not selling the service to Canadians?
You dont have to agree, and I am not saying I would do it, but just wondering.

 

Hi,

I love XM and currently work in Detroit. I've drive up to Toronto many times with an XM equipped rental car and it works fine until I get to downtown Toronto where there are lotz of tall buildings the signal gets blocked. They use these things called terrestrial repeaters in other downtowns stateside to get the signal around where it might be blocked.

XM is coming to Canada, but it might be a year or so or more.

My Canadian friend who was visiting me in Detorit heard the various XM stations and decided to buy one. I actually bought it for him and had it mailed directly to him. He activated the service himself with a Canadian credit card and billing addy. He lives in downtown Toronto and commutes to Mississauga.

My buddy uses a modulator and says that the quality difference is noticeable between my rental with built in XM and FM modulation in his car.

So you Canadians can get XM relatively easily and activate it yourself. I think the deal is that you won't be supported because you're not "officially" allowed to have it.

XM rocks by the way. I want to get it in my Z back home in LA (I have an '03) but I don't want to use FM modulation. I might just do the tape deck thingie as my Ipod sound quality is pretty decent that way.

Good luck!

 

XM doesn't have that good of coverage over Canada due to their satellite's orbit. Sirius's satellite is supposed to cover Canda as well as the US. Although as you said...both aren't legally allowed to broadcast directly through Canada.

 

How do I get XM Radio with my 2004 Touring Roadster with the stock Bose system? Do I just go to their website and activate?

 

I think you had to have gotten the XM option. If not, you need a unit with an fm modulator.

 

The vehicle has to be pre-wired to install the XM antenna and tuner to be able to receive XM service. 350Z Roadsters are not pre-wired like the Touring coupes are. You'll have to go with an FM modulator set up.