Radio Antenna questions

LarryE9E10

LarryE9E10

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I've noticed that, across cars, the radio antenna is variously located on the front or rear fender, and on the left or the right. Could it be that the radios/antennas were dealer-installed rather than factory-installed (as with the '02s of the period)?

More importantly, I need an original unit, as the replacement one I have has too small a base, which reveals some old paint (i.e. They repainted the car by just masking off the original antenna, and then the antenna was replaced later with a mis-sized unit). So, can anyone give me a model or part number for the original antenna? Better yet, does anyone have a working one they are willing to sell? Any help or advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
 
Radios as well as antennas were all dealer installed. Antennas were generally fixed since there are many levels of metal under the fender unless mounted exposed to the wheel well. Trunk mount protects the automatic antennas from the elements.
 
left front

Larry,

The inner front left fender has a factory notch (see photo). This notch was on both the original car (USA model) and on the replacement inner panel I installed. You should be able to reach up inside the wheel well to find it. Not sure if that helps.
 

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The optional power antenna was specified to be installed in the driver side fender as Sven says and my Becker install guide has a diagram indicating this. It was a Hirschmann Auta 6000 F352. Since they were dealer installed, often they were put in the trunk quarter panel or the passenger fender as well.
 
On the A post

Early cars usually had the antenna mounted on the A-post, adjacent to the windscreen edge.
Italian cars (always?) had them on the rear left side of the trunk lid. About half way and usually electric. (just to clarify: the hole was drilled on the fender and not in the trunklid).
 
pmansson said:
Early cars usually had the antenna mounted on the A-post, adjacent to the windscreen edge.
Italian cars (always?) had them on the rear left side of the trunk lid. About half way and usually electric. (just to clarify: the hole was drilled on the fender and not in the trunklid).
Click to expand...

actually not always....not very qualified dealers retrofitted antenna at the left rear edge of the fender simply because is more simple.:wink:

for the original antenna:
I know better e3, but I think that the rules is the same for the e9....from 1970 to 76 used hirschmann auta 6000 U model...on us fleabay I often see some used one.....it is the same mercedes used in that period, with alluminiom case and black plastic cover on one side.go for it.

if your car is a pre1970 use a 6000 F , that it's really rare and expensive.externally they are pretty the same, the mast is longer on auta 6000 U version, if I remember correctly...

Francesco
 
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Of all the window stickers in our Tech Info area, none has a radio under Suggested Retail Price of Factory Fitted Accessories nor have I seen one on several others that I have. I attribute this to Hoffman's ordering philosophy for the U.S. where he left that option to the dealers and eventual customers. Just one opinion though, not conclusive evidence.
 
Antenna

What about mounted on the left "A" pillar as on the 2002? Peter at Coupe King says they were often mounted there. I think that best preserves the lines of the car.
 
To avoid redundancy, prior posts have been supplanted with this one.

The subject of this thread was who performed original radio installation and antenna placement locations. HB Chris mentioned “Radios as well as antennas were all dealer installed.” Chris based this statement upon the fact that none of the “Monroney” window stickers included a radio as a Factory Fitted Accessory. Odds favor Chris especially respecting North American export vehicles - but there may be exceptions.

Factory literature (likely obtained from a North American dealer in the early '70s) caught my attention. It lists radios and antennas as "factory fitted" “special accessories” on both E3 and E9 models. This includes "manually erected" and "electronically powered" "aerial at front." The promotional material is dated November ‘68 and primarily in English. That date suggests a time when E3 and E9 production was in its infancy, with anticipated changes to satisfy ever changing safety and emissions laws. (Note that the combustion chamber design "produces: . . . (4) Fulfilment of the very strict American exhaust gas regulations with carburettors.”

It is unknown exactly how long BMW used this literature, or how reliable its representations were. One of the boasts is: “PERFECT IN EVERY WAY.” If perfection “in every way” also includes a strong inclination toward rust, this is clearly accurate. :sad: Is it any wonder that this E9 catch phrase was eventually revised to read: "The Ultimate Driving Machine, avoid exposure to water - wash at your own risk." :lol:

Draw your own conclusions. :wink:

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this should be helpful about position....
http://www.beckerautosound.com/Classic/Classic PDF's/BMW 3.0 CS.pdf

I know for sure that italy delivered cars had those antenna installed from factory,so was the radio if it was listed as original bmw equipment....if customer wanted ....a motorola radio-example- the car was ordered with the provision for radio(wirings , antenna, speakers)...
then I think that any country had it's own rules for this stuff....

antenna type:
my friend has a lot of guys working in BMW classic....told me that from 1971 to 76 bmws used hirschmann auta 6000 U , before they used 6000D....but 6000 U was born in 1973....
but I know an original 1970 2500 with original 6000F(not working sadly), my 3.3L had a 6000H auta with 3 pieces mast.........my friend has a 3.3Li with a 6000 H with 5 piece mast.externally they are pretty identical, the engine/electrics assembly under the fender is different for sizes shape and functions(also number of wires required)....
In the press pictures of 3.3L /Li I saw only 3 pieces mast antennas.....
the antenna saga continues.....
Francesco...
 
siscobmw said:
actually not always....not very qualified dealers retrofitted antenna at the left rear edge of the fender simply because is more simple.:wink:

for the original antenna:
I know better e3, but I think that the rules is the same for the e9....from 1970 to 76 used hirschmann auta 6000 U model...on us fleabay I often see some used one.....it is the same mercedes used in that period, with alluminiom case and black plastic cover on one side.go for it.

if your car is a pre1970 use a 6000 F , that it's really rare and expensive.externally they are pretty the same, the mast is longer on auta 6000 U version, if I remember correctly...

Francesco
Click to expand...
Right, looks like eBay lists 2 Hirschmann auta 6000U antennae right now @ $55 and $80. Your lucky day!
 
There is no exact location, sorry. Here is mine which works, I installed it 8 1/2” behind edge of trunk lid, anymore forward and antenna will be straight up.
 

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Here's mine shown on the left drivers side A post. Only photo I have showing it, so excuse the blatant red ribbon
 

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teahead said:
Anyone have the EXACT location on the left rear? I actually prefer that location.
Click to expand...
The antenna on my Italian Euro Coupe is on the left rear fender. It came to me with a non-working electric motor. I can measure its location. Don't know how to load photos to this site.
Stev
deQuincey said:
actually i found mine placed in the rear right fender,
Click to expand...
deQ, the first one I have seen on the right fender. Seems to confirm that they were not factory installed, depended on the mood and aesthetic sensibility of the dealer mechanic. So we all have "correct" positions. Well, that solves that.
 
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