Do you have one? If so, does it collapse all the way or does the last 8" stand proud? Mine is made in Germany, and seems to be age appropriate. I can't get it to fully collapse, but I haven't soaked it in anything. No Viagra jokes! 
Manual Antenna anyone?
- Thread starter Markos
- Start date
i have a brand new one, and it goes all the way down ... its a hirschmann style, but not hirschmann. if you buy a new one, you need to check the diameter of the hole in your fender. there's a guy on ebay - woodyscustomshop that is very helpful and does sell hirschmann - both manual and electric.
now for the question, what side is your antenna mounted on? is it in the front or rear? the reason i ask is that i learned this issue the hard way. mine is located on the passenger front fender and there is not enough depth to put a fully recessed antenna in ... hence the reason that i have an antenna sitting in the parts bin ... it fits the hole in the fender, just wouldn't go down into the hole. so, the type of antenna that i have is a shallow mount ... and won't go lower than 8" to 10". if you remove the antenna, you can figure out what type of mount you have.
now for the question, what side is your antenna mounted on? is it in the front or rear? the reason i ask is that i learned this issue the hard way. mine is located on the passenger front fender and there is not enough depth to put a fully recessed antenna in ... hence the reason that i have an antenna sitting in the parts bin ... it fits the hole in the fender, just wouldn't go down into the hole. so, the type of antenna that i have is a shallow mount ... and won't go lower than 8" to 10". if you remove the antenna, you can figure out what type of mount you have.
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Did you wait 4 hours? Sorry, couldnt resist
I can't get it to fully collapse, but I haven't soaked it in anything. No Viagra jokes!
Mine is on the drive's front fender. The hole is a good .5".
so if you remove the antenna, is there a section that is about 8" to 10" deep into the fender cavity? if so, then the antenna should be able to be pushed all the way down ... if there is no depth, then it is a semi-retractable and can't be recessed any further
pmansson
Well-Known Member
front or rear
The Italians put the antenna on the rear left fender, about 2/3 way back along the trunklid. My 2800 CS has it on the A-post (driver´s side) sold in Sweden, and most cars sold in Germany had it on the fender on the driver´s side. Personally I have filled a few antenna holes and keep a loose antenna in the trunk. I have seen a few coupes with an antenna on the roof, centrally mounted near the front screen. I think they looks best from a period perspcective, on the A-post. It is also the most discrete, when you have it all the way down, i.e. ending just below the roof.
The Italians put the antenna on the rear left fender, about 2/3 way back along the trunklid. My 2800 CS has it on the A-post (driver´s side) sold in Sweden, and most cars sold in Germany had it on the fender on the driver´s side. Personally I have filled a few antenna holes and keep a loose antenna in the trunk. I have seen a few coupes with an antenna on the roof, centrally mounted near the front screen. I think they looks best from a period perspcective, on the A-post. It is also the most discrete, when you have it all the way down, i.e. ending just below the roof.
MyFemurHurts
Well-Known Member
Guess I got lucky. Mine is on the a pillar on the passenger side.
think about it ... the A pillar is not very big on these cars ... the idea of cutting a hole in it for the cable, then a few more holes for screws. kind of a swiss cheese approach to a structural portion of the car.
i wish mine was on the back left fender.
MyFemurHurts
Well-Known Member
These cars have the chassis rigidity of a wet noodle. I don't think a few small holes are going to make any kind of difference. Aesthetically though, it's a much better spot.
typically they had to cut a 1/2" plus hole in the A pillar? its not a rigidity thing, its a safety thing ... especially if your coupe ended upside down on its roof during some spirited driving on cool roads.
But there is more metal behind the outer layer, don't think it would be a problem.
As a radio person the best antenna location is the one that minimizes the length of the coax cable. Manual antenna is best on the A pillar so I can raise the antenna while driving the car. Electric antenna make sense in back so the heavy apparatus is in the trunk area and can be serviced from the trunk.
one of my favorite antennas on a BMW was on the e21 - where the antenna body was between the door and the front fender - there was a little cut out in the door lip (if i remember correctly) and the antenna fully recessed.
the other was the center roof above the windshield on the e30 m3
the other was the center roof above the windshield on the e30 m3