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View Full Version : Shark Fin - Whats it for


J2D
10-05-2006, 07:33 PM
I thought it was something to do with bluetooth? But my M has bluetooth but no shark fin, any ideas?
InvIs Inc
10-05-2006, 07:43 PM
its a antenna dude 2 boost ur signal for radio or mobile maybe both i forget but its a antenna anyways lol
mystic sport
10-05-2006, 07:52 PM
Its for the bluetooth. If you lift the bootlid on my car you can see the aerial wire run up the nearside and under the bottom left hand corner of the rear screen.
rahrah
10-05-2006, 10:23 PM
ummm i always thought it was for bmw assist
peppernick
10-05-2006, 10:38 PM
ummm i always thought it was for bmw assist
LMAO :D :D radar homing device [hiya
InvIs Inc
11-05-2006, 03:11 AM
Its for the bluetooth. If you lift the bootlid on my car you can see the aerial wire run up the nearside and under the bottom left hand corner of the rear screen.


u sure dude?? i always thought it was for boosting your mobile phone signal... why would u want 2 boost ur bluetooth signal outside the car?
AYR320cdMsport04
11-05-2006, 05:01 AM
Apparently sum peeps r known 2 make soup with them!! :p

Have 1 on my car and been told its 4 the bluetooth / fone signal is better.
mystic sport
11-05-2006, 06:50 AM
u sure dude?? i always thought it was for boosting your mobile phone signal... why would u want 2 boost ur bluetooth signal outside the car?

Of course i am sure ;) , my car has bluetooth and no nav. It doesn't boost the bluetooth signal at all it is purely for giving it an external aerial for the phone itself. It links the incar 'optional' snap in adapator which is also used to charge the phone to the aerial. I think it is a much needed item as the signal can be boosted very well in crappy signal areas. In places I know my phone won't pick up a signal, if i plug it into the cradle I get a signal so it really does work.
mikem
11-05-2006, 07:51 AM
Yep, it`s a GSM aerial for the phone. As mystic said it boosts the signal when the phone in the snap-in adapter. All cars with factory fitted B/T should have it except the `vert`s obviously.
scorcher
11-05-2006, 10:04 AM
Nope - you are all wrong.

It's an inline spoiler to prevent the car flipping - BMW didn't fit them to their Minis and this is a frequent, well documented problem.

http://mediapool.bmw.com/daten/pczoom/P0008529.JPG
Raja_SMGII
11-05-2006, 10:29 AM
Leave it off John - it doesn't flow well with the CSL bootlid. I had one and promptly removed it
J2D
11-05-2006, 07:11 PM
Fair shout!
daytonaviolet
12-05-2006, 09:01 AM
the fin is actually a cell phone antenna. its for cars which have BMW Assist only. it attaches directly to the Assist module near your NAV dvd player. it has nothing to do with GSM or NAV nor does it have anything to do with BT. btw your GSM ariel antenna is located on your parcel right behind the vents near the glass. [cool
mystic sport
12-05-2006, 11:06 AM
the fin is actually a cell phone antenna. its for cars which have BMW Assist only. it attaches directly to the Assist module near your NAV dvd player. it has nothing to do with GSM or NAV nor does it have anything to do with BT. btw your GSM ariel antenna is located on your parcel right behind the vents near the glass. [cool

Might be the case for US cars but in the UK I know it is for cars equipped with bluetooth, i have neither assist or nav, only bluetooth and the aerial is wired to the snap in adaptor by my handbrake for my mobile phone.
Juber
12-05-2006, 11:20 AM
So do i have bluetooth on my car? I have that shark fin antenna, and the little plastic triangle thing on my rear shelf?

How do i activate the bluetooth in my car? i have the crappy motorola flip phone (old skool small thingy)
adood84
12-05-2006, 12:01 PM
its there for cars that have a car phone , it could be either bluetooth or the previous mobile phone option
330dsal
12-05-2006, 12:35 PM
Right i can confirm i had it on my X-reg BM, it used to be black plastic shark fin, all color coded now though. I had no Bluetooth, or Sat Nav, just a factory fitted car phone. So it could only have been for boosting reception for the phone. Howvever, not sure if they do other functions nowadays, maybe help with GPS, but doubt if it would have anything to do with BTooth.
Talking of these fins seen people put them in different locations on the roof, to untrained eye would not realise it was fake.. :D hope aint offended anyone here :p
mystic sport
12-05-2006, 01:30 PM
So why do I have a shark fin on the roof with attached aerial wire and the bluetooth option? I KNOW it isn't for the bluetooth itself, but for boosting the GSM signal on my phone when it is placed in the snap in adaptor. I have neither nav, nor assist, only the bluetooth option, so either I am missing the whole shark fin thing (thought I perfectly understood why it was there) or my car has a hidden option of which i am not aware. I specced and brought the car brand new so I know exactly what was optioned.

It could also be there for the hardwired motorola phone option on older cars I guess.
InvIs Inc
12-05-2006, 02:42 PM
ok now im really confused :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:
mystic sport
12-05-2006, 03:00 PM
I can 110% confirm this is for cars with the bluetooth option. It IS NOT for boosting the bluetooth signal, but, as we all know, for boosting the GSM signal for our mobiles when placed in the snap in adaptor (if fitted).
Mikedav
13-05-2006, 12:30 PM
So why do I have a shark fin on the roof with attached aerial wire and the bluetooth option? I KNOW it isn't for the bluetooth itself, but for boosting the GSM signal on my phone..

This explanation is the only one that makes sense. A custom aerial for BMW assit? I think not. And I have no Nav but Bluetooth, and I have one.