Shark fin aerials on beemers...yay or nay?

[Zammy]

My 320 E90 doesn't have a shark fin aerial, am thinking of getting one? What do peeps think, look good or not? My work collegues are divided in opinion.

[edo]

If it has one (due to Navigation and/or phone) then fine.

To stick one on for no reason. no. please no.

Edited by edo on Friday 8th April 15:11

[Matt UK]

If just cosmetic, nay.

[sleep envy]

Zammy said:

My 320 E90 doesn't have a shark fin aerial

stop right there

[MattOz]

Step away from the shark fin aerial catalogue! If it didn't leave the factory with one, then it doesn't need it.

[B16JUS]

They for bluetooth.

I think they look ok but its silly fitting one just for looks

J

[Mike 820]

[BalhamBadger]

Do people really put on non-functioning units just for the looks? Baffling!

[Zod]

They're not for bluetooth. The fin is the GSM antenna. Bluetooth is a tiny internal local area antenna.

[Cock Womble 7]

Zammy said:

My 320 E90 doesn't have a shark fin aerial, am thinking of getting one? What do peeps think, look good or not? My work collegues are divided in opinion.

Seriously?

[S. Gonzales Esq.]

Half of them think it's a stupid idea, the rest think it's a really stupid idea.

[anonymous-user]

But most of all if you want to do it, do it. Ignore the nay-sayers

[antspants]

Feel free, however please do not be alarmed when a dick begins to sprout from your forehead - this is the normal side effect and a small price to pay imo for such a cracking mod.

[Alex@POD]

It's OEM on some cars, you like the looks of it, and it won't make your car a death trap. Who cares what they think, if you like it go for it! Most of the people you meet won't even notice it's not supposed to be there, or know what it's for.

It's not like you want to add a massive wing to the boot lid!

[B16JUS]

Zod said:

They're not for bluetooth. The fin is the GSM antenna. Bluetooth is a tiny internal local area antenna.

Not sure what you mean ? i have 2 bmw's with bluetooth and the sharkfin aerial but neither have a sim slot or phone kit or phone slot etc ?

[Matt UK]

S. Gonzales Esq. said:

Half of them think it's a stupid idea, the rest are just very polite or just want the conversation to end quickly.

EFA maybe

[blueg33]

B16JUS said:

Not sure what you mean ? i have 2 bmw's with bluetooth and the sharkfin aerial but neither have a sim slot or phone kit or phone slot etc ?

If you install the phone cradle (an option) then the phones antenna is connected to the car GSM antenna which lives in the shark fin thing. TRhis gives better reception than not using the cradle and it keeps phone charged

[Zod]

B16JUS said:

Not sure what you mean ? i have 2 bmw's with bluetooth and the sharkfin aerial but neither have a sim slot or phone kit or phone slot etc ?

I too have two BMWs and have owned another four in the last decade. You have a place in the armrest for a phone cradle. If you buy the cradle and plug in the phone it uses the car's antenna.

[Monty Python]

Seems the fin houses several things:

http://bmwfans.info/parts/catalog/E92/Coupe/Europe...

plus associated gubbins:

http://bmwfans.info/parts/catalog/E92/Coupe/Europe...

[kambites]

Am I misreading this or are you seriously considering adding an aerial to your car purely for aesthetic purposes?

That's almost as idiotic as putting big wheels on your car just because they look better.

Edited by kambites on Friday 8th April 15:20