All -
Hopefully somebody can just lay this out as simple as possible for me. Racking my brain here.

Is it possible to install an XM unit for the Bose system??? I have an '05 Touring with the "radio" button. I'd prefer not to go back to the Nissan dealer and have them do this aftermarket. Nor am I really looking to replace the Bose HU right now ...

I'm not a fan of wires all over the place or FM modulators or cassette adaptors. I just want to know if this is possible and what I'd need!

Thanks in advance ...

 

Your not going to get away from the FM modulator.

Here's a couple of reciever's that work off of FM modulation:

http://www.xmradio.com/skyfi2/

http://www.xmradio.com/roady2/

 

Your 05 Touring like my 04 Touring is XM ready (if you have the CD, Tape and Radio button configuration). You can contact Courtesy Nissan or Lee's Auto (for example) to buy the necessary equipment which would be the receiver module and the wiring harness. The Touring trim line is pre-wired and you would access the necessary part of the vehicle's wiring harness in the hatchback area just behind the spare tire. It's not very difficult but the system is not impressive as far as its functionality. Once the receiver "recognized" the addition of the XM receiver the radio button simply adds XM1 and XM2 to the AM, FM1 and FM2 sequence. Ain't nothin' but a thing.

The OEM antenna was the fist-looking monstrosity that I immediately threw out. I actually bought the very small Terq button antenna, mounted just back by the hatchback on the roof so it is fairly low viz. I ran the wires just inside the hatchback channel (it's pretty tight), used some judicious duct tape to keep the coax from being rubbed inside, tucked the coax inside the headliner material, and then ran the mini coax lead around to the receiver. For this single lead antenna I bought a Terq splitter so the radio display would not/not show "antenna" as a fault. There are a number of threads in which people debate the horror of a small button antenna, the need to paint it and such. Mine is very inobvious for me and I had not had luck with other lower viz installs such as inside on the back brace (partly due to windy roads with heavy vegetation here in Northern Virginia).

Candidly the functionality of the Bose OEM system with the OEM XM addition is unimpressive. (The Bose system with or with the XM expansion is not spectacular, but it'll do for me since I am not an audiophile.) I put a Roady II in my wife's Pathfinder and the display is much more informative....but it does have some wires just outside the receiver module.

It is a pretty simple upgrade that sure helps pass the time on Northern Virginia's parking lot roadways.