Roof "fin" - an option?!

[Mless5]

I have bumped into multiple facelift e46s that have a fin like antenna on the back of the roof in the center, by the rear windshield gasket. I always thought it was for Nav equipped cars, but all 3-5 I've seen had a standard CD player in the dash. Placement and visuals of the said fin make me think that they are not aftermarket add ons - can somebody shed some light on this?!

Thanks.

[Pelican Parts]

If I'm understanding you correctly, the fin antenna was a standard piece of the cars.

[floydr]

I have bumped into multiple facelift e46s that have a fin like antenna on the back of the roof in the center, by the rear windshield gasket. I always thought it was for Nav equipped cars, but all 3-5 I've seen had a standard CD player in the dash. Placement and visuals of the said fin make me think that they are not aftermarket add ons - can somebody shed some light on this?!

It is the antenna for GPS. But it's also the antenna for BMW Assist and for the BMW built-in cell phone cradle stuff.

[Mless5]

It is the antenna for GPS. But it's also the antenna for BMW Assist and for the BMW built-in cell phone cradle stuff.

Thanks, that explains it!

[MarcoZandrini]

If I'm understanding you correctly, the fin antenna was a standard piece of the cars.

The fin wasn’t installed if the car didn’t have factory navigation. My 2001 330Ci didn’t have factory nav or the fin.