The Shark Fin Comes to an End

Sections: Uncategorized Jun 9th, 2004 19 Comments

It's been mentioned on MotoringFile in the past but it's probably worth mentioning again… in two weeks the shark fin antenna will officially be no longer. All 2005 MINIs will be a equipped with a version of the standard antenna with a larger base that can meet the needs of the standard radio, Sirius digital radio and the MINI Navigation system in one unit. In person the new antenna (right) looks to almost be a combination of the shark fin and the standard antenna.

Written By: MF Staff

frank

Never really cared too much for the Shark Fin antenna but this is definetely a clever financial move for BMW as they will consolidate the radio antennas into a single unit model that will support all available applications (Sirius, NAV, etc) and at the same time they will save money on the “in-glass” radio antenna found on each rear quarter window on '02-'04 models equipped with the factory NAV.
http://www.minidryvr.textamerica.com Phil

Now we can all Equally look like R/C cars : )

MINIDryvr.Textamerica.Com
R

Does anybody know if those aluminum replacement antennas are any good for radio reception? Still waiting for my ICE-Link to arrive….

Wow, I like that all yellow MINI shown above, my next MINI will be either all red or maybe all yellow!…R
Eric

RIP, shark fin. I thought it was very cool.
Chris

What a pity. Then my next MCS won't fit into my Duplex garage… or I first have to detach the antenna whenever I enter the box. In Japan, they had a foldable antenna. Does this one still exists?
R

Chris…MOSSMINI.COM & Out Motoring both have shorter antennas. Don't know how well they work…R
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

I have the shorter antenna – works just as well as the standard one.
http://www.starwars.com Michael S.

Whoo HOOOO! My “shark fin” is offically “Classic”!
Juan-Antonio Garcia

I noticed that when I saw the new cabrio, the antena is in the front a la old Golf. I like more the shark look, I bet several aftermarket companies will offer a replacement.
Font

My rear quarter window array (I have NAV) never allowed for good radio reception. Although I'm only 30 miles out from downtown Chicago, my radio degrades horrendously (static and crackle on WBEZ, WFMT, etc) in the late afternoon 'til morning — no other car I've had has had this problem. And that's after getting the HU replaced (CD skip problems).

Maybe I can get a retrofit of the new antenna in future, though.
R

Gabe, thanks for the info on the stubby I just ordered some stuff from Out Motoring and added a stubby to that pile-o-stuff…R
R

I was thinking how clean the roof looks without that spoiler attached. I would get rid of it but I guess it's needed when I'm trying to beat Schumy into the hairpin at the Monte Carlo Grande Hotel in Monaco…R
Martin

Kind of ironic that the rumor for 2004 was that all cars would have the shark fin. That of course never materialized.
pete

woo hooo my jcw “s” is now a classic im lovin it, i think the shark fin give the mini a more agressive, sportier look instead of the remote control car look the antenna give, i still love smoking pt cruisers, and now they take me seriously with my jcw works kit yeee haa!!!
Eric

So does this mean it will have to be removed before entering a car wash?

I've loved the fact that I don't have to worry about turning the radio off or removing the antenna when I go through the car wash.
John

It's gone …
Lisanne

does anyone know where I can order or by a Red Shark Fin for my MINI COOPER?

Thanx!
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

Well I suppose you can always try to order one from the parts dept at your dealer.
mini T

I have changed alta antenna (4″). When I entered a car wash last night, the dryer hit the antenna and broke the antenna based….. wooo wooo.

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