Dang

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Gang...

Just finished installing the OEM Sirius tuner into my 2005 SLK350. Interesting thing on this. I'm not sure if it's just a Canada thing, but when I asked the dealer, they said it wasn't possible. They said they could do it on the 2006 and 2007, but not the 2005. As I got into it, I figured out why. While my 2005 had the power connecter (which is just +12, ground and MOST sense), it did not have the MOST fiber wire, or the pre-wire for the antennas.

That's not really a problem. I had no intention of installing the "wart" on the trunk, and like others put the antenna in the front vent, so didn't need the antenna wires anyway. And, you can order the MOST cable. Only other weird thing is I couldn't activate it online with Sirius. When I phoned them, they said they knew it was for a Mercedes. I couldn't figure out how to get the free time Mercedes gets (I ordered lifetime anyway), but did get free activation.

A note on the tuner, only get the second generation one listed below, not the dual lead antenna version.

Part numbers:
SDARS Tuner: B6 783 0060 (about $500)
SLK install Kit: B6 783 0078 (about $220)
Most Fiber cable (if required): A 171 540 74 09 (about $35)
Sirius Micro Car Antenna from Best Buy: SIR-CA1C (about $40)

Great install instructions from Bills Den:
http://www.billsden.org/fileadmin/me...ll_11_2005.pdf

Good Luck!

Dang

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2005 SLK350
6 Speed Manual, Air Scarf, Comand, Nav.
OEM Bluetooth Phone, iPod interface and Sat Radio.
Orion Blue Metallic

mtiede

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Congrats!!!

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Congratulations. I haven't read of anyone else installing the factory system in the SLK. I'm a big satellite radio fan (prefer XM) and wouldn't want another car without a factory system. Only my opinion, but I do like the small body color antenna on the truck lid. For ease of installation, I could live with a stealth antenna install. Can't figure out why Sirius had difficulty activating your system? What was the cost of "lifetime" subscription? Again, good job. This will definitely help others.

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----------------1-----------------
--------SLK 55 ///AMG---------
THE MON55TER ON THE BLOCK

Dang

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I don't mind the newer smaller trunk antenna, though couldn't quite bring myself to drill a hole into the trunk. If you do want to go that route, the "kit" comes with a template you screw into the underside of the trunk that allows you to drill an accurate hole. You need a "UniBit" drill bit to do this. They warn against using a hole saw. As mentioned, my car as lacking the "pre-install" kit for the antenna that runs wires from the trunk lid to the Sirius tuner, but I suspect that might be a Canadian thing. It's very quick to pop off the cover in the left of your trunk and have a look. The antenna in the vent seems to work just fine by the way.

To clarify, it was on the website I couldn't activate. It said "no packages available". Activating on the website is supposed to save you $5 off the activation fee. Once I phoned them it was no problem at all. They knew it was for a Mercedes, which is appaerntly why the website didn't list anything. If you buy it through a dealer, you get the first year ($142 value) free, plus free activation. I got the free activation. Since I was accessing a lifetime plan, I wasn't worried about the first year, but not sure how you would get that if you did it youself. I suspect if you pressed for it you might get it.

Activating was painless. I sat in my car when I phoned them, gave them the ESN (radio code), and in 5 minutes I was listening to 120 channels!

Cheers!

Dang

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2005 SLK350
6 Speed Manual, Air Scarf, Comand, Nav.
OEM Bluetooth Phone, iPod interface and Sat Radio.
Orion Blue Metallic

mtiede

Posts: 1,645

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Thanked 55 Times in 45 Posts

I paid $500 I think for lifetime. I figured if I used it for 5 years that was cheaper. And since it can move from car to car I should be able to use it for a long time (assuming they stay in business).

Duo-Art

Dang, "You can't do that" is a challenge to those of us that are mechanically inclined to prove them wrong. Thanks for the report.