Alternative/aftermarket radio - E39
Discussion
Chaps/ettes,
My radio in my 2002 E39 has packed up - the lcd display has pretty much given up. It still works but I can't see what disk I've chosen or which radio station I'm on.
Can anyone suggest a solution? Buy a new one from BMW will probably cost more than the car.
If I buy second hand I'm worried that the lcd screen wont work or will work briefly before packing up.
Can I get an aftermarket replacement at all?
My radio in my 2002 E39 has packed up - the lcd display has pretty much given up. It still works but I can't see what disk I've chosen or which radio station I'm on.
Can anyone suggest a solution? Buy a new one from BMW will probably cost more than the car.
If I buy second hand I'm worried that the lcd screen wont work or will work briefly before packing up.
Can I get an aftermarket replacement at all?
Yes, autoleads facia plate and a standard DIN sized head unit an antenna adapter and a wiring harness ( BMW 16pin to ISO depending on year may be flat pin and Farka antenna adapter).
The flap that covers the display will not longer be of any use.
eBay
The flap that covers the display will not longer be of any use.
eBay
Edited by E30M3SE on Wednesday 13th April 16:31
If you mean the LCD display on the MID isn't working, it is fixable, it's a hugely fiddly job, but I managed it. It cost about £20 to buy the ribbon cable, some acetone (I used my wife's nail varnish remover), and about an hour of swearing.
It involves popping the MID out, getting the front off it, removing the old ribbon cable, cleaning up the contacts with the acetone and installing the new cable. Mine has been fine ever since.
I also think there is a chap who advertises on ebay to do the job for you (last time I looked it was about £80)
It involves popping the MID out, getting the front off it, removing the old ribbon cable, cleaning up the contacts with the acetone and installing the new cable. Mine has been fine ever since.
I also think there is a chap who advertises on ebay to do the job for you (last time I looked it was about £80)
skoff said:
If you mean the LCD display on the MID isn't working, it is fixable, it's a hugely fiddly job, but I managed it. It cost about £20 to buy the ribbon cable, some acetone (I used my wife's nail varnish remover), and about an hour of swearing.
It involves popping the MID out, getting the front off it, removing the old ribbon cable, cleaning up the contacts with the acetone and installing the new cable. Mine has been fine ever since.
I also think there is a chap who advertises on ebay to do the job for you (last time I looked it was about £80)
Rudi in Southampton done mine for £80 2 years back, the instrument display was unreadable before. Excellent service and well worth the drive seeing I'm only 30 minutes away in Poole.It involves popping the MID out, getting the front off it, removing the old ribbon cable, cleaning up the contacts with the acetone and installing the new cable. Mine has been fine ever since.
I also think there is a chap who advertises on ebay to do the job for you (last time I looked it was about £80)
If it's simply a case that it's 'ONLY' the missing pixels issue, then consider doing a DIY fix like above or spending the £80 plus postage I think, and having it done via the often highly praised company on the South Coast.
Thing is, you probably don't or won't know if there's any other areas of where the unit is giving up ghost! but that's a risk you've got to take really. You might get it back with the pixels fixed and 3 weeks or 2 months down the line, the in built amplifier or another part might give up, so is it worth spending close to £100 on a 9 year old unit or perhaps spending £180 or so on a 2011 single DIN head unit from the likes of Pioneer, Kenwood, Alpine or Sony etc?
The choice is up to you !
Oh and welcome to the world of the 'what to do with E39 Audio' conundrum!
Cheers, Dennis!
Thing is, you probably don't or won't know if there's any other areas of where the unit is giving up ghost! but that's a risk you've got to take really. You might get it back with the pixels fixed and 3 weeks or 2 months down the line, the in built amplifier or another part might give up, so is it worth spending close to £100 on a 9 year old unit or perhaps spending £180 or so on a 2011 single DIN head unit from the likes of Pioneer, Kenwood, Alpine or Sony etc?
The choice is up to you !
Oh and welcome to the world of the 'what to do with E39 Audio' conundrum!
Cheers, Dennis!
Some great advice here chaps. I quite fancy swearing for an hour and then doing my nails (is that right?!).
I think I'll attempt a diy fix first and if that goes pear-shaped go down the single din route. Part of me wants to keep the interior oe (in a misguided notion that it will make a huge difference come re-sale time).
Has anyone got a how-to on it at all?
I think I'll attempt a diy fix first and if that goes pear-shaped go down the single din route. Part of me wants to keep the interior oe (in a misguided notion that it will make a huge difference come re-sale time).
Has anyone got a how-to on it at all?
I did post some pictures on here showing what I did, but it was a while ago and I can't seem to find the post, in the meantime here is the link to the place where I bought the cable from:
http://pixelfix.net/eng/bmw.html
I used the instructions that they sent with the cable, which were ok...
And yes, I have lovely nails now...
http://pixelfix.net/eng/bmw.html
I used the instructions that they sent with the cable, which were ok...
And yes, I have lovely nails now...
Found it...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
It's on page 4 of this thread.
It seems I did the fix in June 2009 and it has been perfect ever since. If you are only going to throw the old unit away it's got to be worth giving it a go!
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
It's on page 4 of this thread.
It seems I did the fix in June 2009 and it has been perfect ever since. If you are only going to throw the old unit away it's got to be worth giving it a go!
Skoff - thanks for your posts - much appreciated.
Am definitely going tofix break my radio now! And then spend yet more cash buying something else.
I've taken the backs of things off in the past and even managed to smash them back together again and then duck tape the whole so it says together before putting the whole lot in the bin and buying something else......!
Am definitely going to
I've taken the backs of things off in the past and even managed to smash them back together again and then duck tape the whole so it says together before putting the whole lot in the bin and buying something else......!
Mal79 said:
My display works fine, but the volume knob is somewhat 'jumpy' when adjusting the volume. It's fine however using the steering wheel controls!! It's such a shame BMW used such a vast space in the dashboard which would fit an aftermarket double din unit perfectly but you can't without modifications....
I'd love a decent headunit that works with my iPod but looks good in place of the OEM unit, but with the facia adapter plates they just look a bit tacky! And the little flap would be rendered useless which IMO ruins the flow of the aluminium trim across the dashboard!! Rah!!!!! Sorry, just ranting!
To fix the "jumpy" volume: pull off the knop & squirt a shot of WD40 or GT85 into the hole, using the little tube attachement on the aerosol...job done!I'd love a decent headunit that works with my iPod but looks good in place of the OEM unit, but with the facia adapter plates they just look a bit tacky! And the little flap would be rendered useless which IMO ruins the flow of the aluminium trim across the dashboard!! Rah!!!!! Sorry, just ranting!
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