Shark fin thing on a 5 series

[Ciaran]

Can anyone tell me if this means the car has phone preparation, I know the car hasn't got sat nav - it's a E60 2005.

Cheers

[SJobson]

My 2005 model E61 has it, and I believe it's a phone aerial. But in my car, since it has the built-in cordless phone, it doesn't do anything but provide the signal for that. No interface to my mobile.

[alanm_3]

The shark fin serves a multitude of purposes. It's used for a GSM antenna, a GPS antenna and I think possibly DAB. There are different modules installed underneath dependant on what options the car is fitted with, so you can't tell what (if any) are fitted unless you get the part number from it, or see what communications and audio options the car is fitted with.

cheers

[Ciaran]

Thanks guys

[martin vr6]

Yes it will have, only cars with Bluetooth phone prep have the shark fin aerial

[SJobson]

martin vr6 said:

Yes it will have, only cars with Bluetooth phone prep have the shark fin aerial

But a 2005 E60 with Bluetooth may not work with your Bluetooth mobile phone...

[KnockinShop]

I believe there are different options for what is in the shark fin.
In a basic car, it may be just radio antenna. With GPS, that's in there too, and add bluetooth if your car has bluetooth prep. So if you want to add bluetooth later, it needs to be added to the sharkfin.