Hey guys-

I am looking at selling the current ride and picking up a Max.. What I'm wondering, among the many questions I have, is it is XM Ready or will the stock cd player play mp3 discs?

I have not been able to look over the Maxima's too well, but from what I have seen, it doesn't look like an aftermarket cd player is too much of an option in the stock location?

 

I think it's XM/Sirius ready for sure, but man be prepared for the big BOHICA when you try to buy one for it to integrate with the current system. It's WAY over priced.

 

How much overpriced are we looking? If it's already XM ready then it shouldn't be any extra, should it? I could just swap my XM service over to it?

 

If I recall correctly it was about $100 more than if you bought it when buying the car, and that was either $400 or $500. Oh, and installation is extra.

 

Hmm.. that sucks.. I guess I'll just try and figure out another route to get the XM in it..

 

I have a question regarding the installation of XM in our 04 SE. I noticed it does have the satellite button up next to the mode of audio options. My wife had her XM pulled from her Jetta when we traded it in. So my question is, can we use the XM reciever we bought, and run it off the stock Maxima system??

 

MaybeANissan - I cannot answer that question for you..

However for those who might have the same question I did, looks like the Metra 99-7404 kit will allow the use of an aftermarket headunit which, will also allow the use of XM/Mp3 capable head units. An essential part of the driving expirence for me.

 

The stock headunit does not play MP3s. I believe your best bet is to get a Max that already has XM. Since you are buying an '05, I assume you are buying it brand new. Have the dealer find you what you want. That way you don't have to worry with adding stuff on later.

 

Is your XM receiver an aftermarket brand? If so, and you have a modulator, you can install it in you Maxima. As far as I know, you will not be able to control it through the factory headunit.

 

I won't be buying brand new, I swore off doing that years ago.. I should be able to find one with around 15K on it..

I found the metra kit to be exactly what I am looking for and will go that route.

 

I agree with boone. You will be able to control it throught the factory headunit. If you intend to replace the factory head unit, you can buy an aftermarket headunit with MP3 playback and xm receiver for about the cost of the $400 factory satellite upgrade.

I personally have the Bose system with Sirius. I had an XM Roady 2 before and an Alpine CDA-9811 which plays MP3s and the xm receiver sitting in the garage, but I am not ready to install it yet. I miss XM, but couldn't pass up the 3 free months of Sirius. Anyway, the factory installed Sirius displays all info on the display and can be controlled from the steering wheel. That's just some things to think about.

 

Yeh, that is exactly what I am going to do..

 

I would try to find a used max with it already installed if that's all you are looking, or you could end up being like me and start off saying "I'm going to leave this one stock" and then end up like this:


As you said Tramsootru "An essential part of the driving expirence for me." I've become more IPOD oriented than XM or MP3's now though...

 

How much room is behind the top display? Is there enough depth for a double-din headunit? By the way, smooth install.

 

There might be room but you would have to fab a kit to make it fit and look all pretty. I added that screen but of course it's flat and if I remember correctly you might be able to pull somethig like that off. Just out of curiosity what would you do down below with the stock HU?
And thanks for the props, the projects never seem to never end............

 

Haven't really thought about that, but it's a good question. hmm...

 

he sat option at the dealer was $400.00 when I bought. I didn't take it. Instead I bought a pac aai-nis adapter from x10.com. It's really easy to install and connects directly to the sat input on the stock head unit. It gives you 2 RCA inputs and there's alot of room in the console to install the brick. To use it, you set your head unit to 'A' channel and press the sat button for input 1 ('B' channel for input 2). The radio will remember any stations you have programmed under A or B, but you can't switch between radio and sat from the steering wheel.

With this adapter I can plug in my mp3 player and buy a portable sat radio and connect it also. I would still have to tune from the portable unit, but volume can be controlled from the wheel.

$75 for the pac and $100 for a portable sat sounds alot better than $400 for XM from the dealer.

...maxb

 

Very nice install!

I've become addicted to XM and not so much Mp3, but I do have my Iriver - which I carry with me everywhere.. I need to look into a way to get the Iriver integrated into the Maxima.. Although, first I need to buy a maxima.

I should have one in the next few months..

 

Read maximob's post above, the PAC adaptor is the way to go (but you can't have both SAT and the PAC)

Oh yeah and thanks for the props!!!

 

That's cool. Just a word to the wise, the '04s and '05s have a different finish on the silver plastic interior pieces. Make sure your kit is the right one.

 

I love the way your setup looks. GRRR...Must resist temtation to mod console...

 

How about a Nissan XM factory unit with antenna, for $269?

Some maximas might come with the factory XM sat system but most will not. Its a very easy install and comes with all hardware and easy directions. It mounts under the back deck and plugs into a factory plug already there. Done, your good to go with any 2004 -2005 factory head unit.

Its really the best way to go. My system rocks and is all factory.

Hit me up if you have any questions.

jjtricket@yahoo.com

 

Good point Boone, I always forget about that...

 

Thanks, I tried to resist...did not work, obviously!

 

Thanks for all the advice guys!

What I'm thinking is pulling my current head unit and xm out of the T/A and then just throwing it into the Maxima.. I will keep an eye out on the color of the trim on the metra kit kit..

Thanks

Jeff

 

I use the pac-niss in my car for a XM and IPOD. It is great. You cant control the XM or IPOD from the headunit just the volume. It the least expense way to doit after the fact.

 

Too bad you not going a new Maxima, I am wondering if they will add MP3 capability to the stock Bose system for 2006. I let Nissan have it for not already having it on the 05s when I filled out my JD Power & Associates survey. It's my only big complaint so far.

RobMAX, what is pac-niss?

 

www.ebay.com

It plugs in the back of the factory head unit and gives you two rca inputs. It works with anything you want that uses rca out. I wish i would have taken pictures but i forgot. The link is where i bought it from. It use the three channels from the sat button to toggle between devices.

 

Thanks. So with the pac-niss I can hook an IPOD or some other kind of MP3 player to it?

 

Yeh, I think the pac-niss will be added to it also.

Just went and test drove an 05'.. Now I just need to buy the thing.

 

Thanks for your help guys.

My wife had a Pioneer headunit in her Jetta, that we pulled along with the XM. So we'll have to install the headunit to run XM is what I'm reading. Get the Metra dash kit, and the Pac to run it off of the steering controls.

Anything else I should be picking up??

BTW, jsmithsole, what is needed to locate the control screen to down below?? I have came across a really great deal for a Clarion DVD/CD headunit, with seperate screen for cheap, and would like to run the same kinda of set-up??

 

Just patience my friend, that's it. It's sits in there pretty much perfect, it's a tight stretch for the plug but other than that it was really easy...

 

Here's two sites to get the OEM XM or SIRRUS units at a good price...

http://www.grubbsperformance.com

http://nissanpartspeople.com/

baltomax2001 (AKA eldogg)
2001 Maxima GXE, Black, too many mods to mention
2005 Altima SE-R, Silver