how to fit a beesting roof aerial to bmw e90 saloon

[Ian-wbffg]

Can anybody help me with fitting a new roof aerial to a 2011 320D E90 I have had a new Kenwood DAB unit fitted with front screen aerial but reception is very poor.
Where is the best position for the new aerial ?

[Charlie Croker mk2]

Fitting a standard aerial is unlikely to help but these guys will help , go for amplified aerial

https://www.dabonwheels.co.uk/product-category/dab...

[Ian-wbffg]

I'll certainly contact them re. the type of aerial , I was looking for help on where to position the aerial and route it back to the head unit.

[E-bmw]

What you are suggesting has unlikely been done before by many people so why not just have a look yourself & see where you can get to & where it would fit?

Simples

[AlunJ]

If you find one that works let me know, have the same problem. Only thing it doesn't have a problem with is the BBC channels. Dont really fancy a bee sting aerial on my E90 lol.

[E-bmw]

AlunJ said:

Dont really fancy a bee sting aerial on my E90 lol.

So fit a shark's fin one then, same goes just get a good amplified one.

[Dannbodge]

Swap the diversity antenna (behind the 3rd brake light) for a DAB one and then it will use the factory aerial for you DAB reception.

They are about £100 but will keep everything looking nice and factory (bar the HU).

[Ian-wbffg]

I don't really know if a straight swap will work with a Kenwood unit I will have to see what the fitter did at the rear of the head unit.
There is a route from the rear interior light to the front nearside pillar , possible to thread the aerial cable down that way and to the front glove box.
Thanks for all the useful advice , will let you know how get on.

Merry Christmas

[Dannbodge]

Ian-wbffg said:

I don't really know if a straight swap will work with a Kenwood unit I will have to see what the fitter did at the rear of the head unit.
There is a route from the rear interior light to the front nearside pillar , possible to thread the aerial cable down that way and to the front glove box.
Thanks for all the useful advice , will let you know how get on.

Merry Christmas

When I put DAB in my E90, I used a DAB diversity antenna and ran a cable from in, through the headliner and down the rear left C pillar.
it's only a few screws to take out and had loads of space behind.
I had the DAB receiver under the boot floor and had to run a USB lead from the boot all the way around into the glovebox, so it's definitely possible.

[SixPotBelly]

Ian-wbffg said:

Can anybody help me with fitting a new roof aerial to a 2011 320D E90 I have had a new Kenwood DAB unit fitted with front screen aerial but reception is very poor.
Where is the best position for the new aerial ?

I did this (about 10 years ago) on my then E46 Touring, at the back of the roof. I didn't think it looked out of place on that car as the Audi B5 Avant that was its contemporary had a factory beesting there. I went another way with the E46 coupe I bought to replace it, though, as I think it would have looked odd on that, in the same way roof rails would on a coupe. By the same token I'm not sure I'd want one on an E90 saloon either.

But, if you don't mind the look, it's worth doing for the reception. It was rock solid on both DAB and FM. Fitting wasn't too hard either. It was easy to remove the interior trim and pull down the headliner enough to attach the cables to the antenna. Scariest thing was drilling the hole. I must have measured about five times before marking the spot, taking a deep breath, and popping down to a local car audio shop and asking them to drill it for me.

[Ian-wbffg]

Finally done, used draw wire from rear roof lining rear( brake light) to rear door , took off both grab handles threaded cables through headlining. Took off passenger side a pillar cover where airbag sign is situated and threaded cables down to rear of glove box to rear of head unit.
I will drill roof over the brake light panel and seal well with silicone sealant.
Hopefully job done.
Update.
Beesting now fitted and reception is brilliant, the stick on windscreen variety definitely do not give anything like 100% reception, for best Dab reception fit external aerial as high as possible.

Edited by Ian-wbffg on Wednesday 9th January 13:39