Sat Radio - Easily Interrupted

[ezmaass]

So, after several months of 650xi GC ownership, the car has been fantastic - but one thing that annoys me: the sat radio cuts out if you so much drive in the shadow of a single leaf on a tree.

I've had XM/Sirius on many cars now, and obviously they're all sensitive to line of sight to the sky. However, NONE of have been remotely as sensitive as the 650. My other cars? I can drive for at least 5 - 7 seconds in complete "black out" to the sky before the radio blips. The 650? If I so much as drive for 1 second under an overpass (not exaggerating - about a 1 - 2 second pass), it'll drop.

So, first question - have others experienced the same with the 6GC? Second question - is there a setting (perhaps hidden menu option?) to adjust something that may help, like a memory buffer? I have to believe that what I'm experiencing can't be as designed... or I'd hope not.

[upstate650]

I do not experience this on mine. No settings I am aware of. I would guess it has something to do with your satellite antenna. Don't know if BMW would even begin to know how to diagnose - probably a replacement.

[ezmaass]

Originally Posted by upstate650

I do not experience this on mine. No settings I am aware of. I would guess it has something to do with your satellite antenna. Don't know if BMW would even begin to know how to diagnose - probably a replacement.

Good to know, thank you! It's perfectly fine unless I drive on a road that's even lightly tree covered. I'm used to the radio cutting out if the tree cover truly gets dense on my other cars with sat radio, but it seems this one just cuts out even at the slightest of shadows cast on the road.

I was thinking there may be some kind of buffer setting that's not set high enough - or perhaps some other issue like not enough signal strength, etc.

[upstate650]

Originally Posted by ezmaass

Good to know, thank you! It's perfectly fine unless I drive on a road that's even lightly tree covered. I'm used to the radio cutting out if the tree cover truly gets dense on my other cars with sat radio, but it seems this one just cuts out even at the slightest of shadows cast on the road.

I was thinking there may be some kind of buffer setting that's not set high enough - or perhaps some other issue like not enough signal strength, etc.

It should not be anywhere near that sensitive. The only time mine cuts out is when I drive close to a very tall, very steep hill which blocks my southern exposure. This is true across my Sirius receivers in multiple vehicles. Something is definitely wrong with yours.

[JakeBMW]

I would guess antenna as well. I drive daily through tree canopied streets with an issue in only the 1 same spot everyday for about 1/2 second.

[bravo261]

same here, zero issues. i think i've only cut out once i'm in a tunnel for more than a few seconds