antenna and rear key hole delete....

[-c-]

hey guys I’m thinking about deleting my antenna and running it on the inside of the rear quarter and having the hole plugged up and painted over. what do you guys think.

I listen to nothing but satellite radio, hate commercials and the radio does not play the music I listen to anyhow..... so the antenna is not important to me.

I’ll still have it but it will run inside the body panel versus sticking out...

how do you guys think it will look..... will it make it to plain?


also planning to have the locking mechanism from the new Z4 retrofitted to my trunk deck lid so I have the BMW badge that also acts as a handle. this will be like you coupe owners always had been jelouse lol..... this will delete the lock cylinder in the rear and plan to either use the hole as a spot to use as a rear camera or plug it up entirely and smooth it over and paint it... also cleaning up the rear.


what are your thoughts?


sort of like this!!!!



or this...

[Mirko]

I like the top one the best. The antenna is ugly no matter how small it gets. I like symmetry and it throws it off! lol

[DataStream18]

I like the top best but what happens when you need to unlock your trunk and you cant? Just a thought.

[-c-]

Originally Posted by DataStream18

I like the top best but what happens when you need to unlock your trunk and you cant? Just a thought.

I will be using the lock and hinge mechanism from the new e89 Z4 the BMW badge hinges and opens like on the coupes... It will have to be custom though as the hole is a tad larger but barley.

[jra]

Like the key hole delete idea!

[XMetal]

The antenna won't work inside the body (the metal cage - essentially a large GND cage will prevent reception). If you plug up the hole, what will be your plan if you ever sell it?

[ZStig]

I really like the first idea. Let us know how it works out. I want to do this, but its low on my priority list

[-c-]

Originally Posted by XMetal

The antenna won't work inside the body work (the metal cage will prevent reception). If you plug up the hole, what will be your plan if you ever sell it?

I use satalite radio have a lifetime subscription ..... As far as selling it not sure if that's on the register anytime soon as I tend to keep all my cars... Especially the ones I put a lot of time and effort into. The fenders are easy to replace and bolt on and off. I've removed my antenna and still have reception. But like I said I use just satellite or iPod. Hell a few here have even done stereo delete so it's really no big deal everything is reversible. The tail gate is done with another TiAg silver tailgate that is going to be painted and modified. When and if ever I wish to sell I either sell as is or revert back to stock.

[cts198505]

I think it looks awesome!

[Shipkiller]

AM radio should not work. FM uses both the rod antenna and the FM only antenna along the rear bumper.

The other minor issue, where are you are going to mount the AM/FM amplifier that is used to bolt the rod antenna to the fender?

[-c-]

Originally Posted by Shipkiller

AM radio should not work. FM uses both the rod antenna and the FM only antenna along the rear bumper.

The other minor issue, where are you are going to mount the AM/FM amplifier that is used to bolt the rod antenna to the fender?

Yea who listens to AM anymore lol JK guys. As far as re mounting the amp and such is easy. Fabricating such things won't be a problem. Since practically every high end vehicle doesn't have an exposed antenna anymore I thought it would be a nice touch.

[inTgr8r]

I'd love to delete the antenna as well.
Although not ideal, I might try some sort of flush hole cover rather than filling & repainting. (reversible as well)

[partlowr]

Top photo looks ultra clean, I absolutely hate the rear key hole on the rear deck lid. I was actually going to look into seeing if the OEM painted door handle plugs off a 5 series fits into the Z4 deck lid key hole. Your option is obviously better and cleaner but a smooth painted plug I can pop in in 2 seconds is lso a nice option.

Does anyone knw if the E60 5 series key hole plug will fit?

[dlstrafuss]

I like the clean look too; you have my vote. My iPad contains my music so I never turn on the radio. The keyhole is always grimmy anyway and is a magnet for drafted dust onto the key-lube area. I'd agree with datastream18 as just in case you need access. i'd try and find an alternative release (move the "T" handle or add another one in the aft console?) location for emergency or battery failure or your battery cable jiggles lose.

[ZStig]

If you're gonna re-paint the trunk, I say you might as well shave off the BMW badge too. If you're going for the clean look, go all out

[-c-]

Hey guys!

well the new latch from the 09 and up Z4 has the lock key hole in the badge much like the coupes have.

you can push the badge back and insert the key if needed. and i can also reroute cable to make a emergency release behind the driver seat under the carpet incase of dead battery or anything of that matter.

otherwise its all good....... its ok to be clean but not to baron or sparce a little detail is always good.... so the badge can stay........

otehr than that that will have to wait....... picking up my new hardtop here in a week or so!!!!

yayyyyyyyy!

[Twisted Six]

On a convertible...couldn't an antenna be hidden inside the canvas top somehow ? Making sure that it goes with the flow of folding, of course.

[Incompatible]

Would it be possible to mount a short AM antenna on the backside of a roll hoop? Maybe in a black plastic cover to blend with the oe cover? BTW, really like the cleaner lines of the lock/antenna delete.

[AmmarYasirA]

Bringing back a dead thread.... But has anyone successfully done this?

I'm actually really interested in doing a retrofit like the coupes have and moving the keyhole to where the badge is.

Also, couldn't you hide the antenna and stuff inside the plastic roll bar covers? Reception should still be able to get through plastic and I'm pretty sure there's lots of room in those housings.

[PLCZ4MC]

I vote for the first one all clean. Awesome idea. Hope you get it done and share some pics of results. Might inspire others too.