BMW radio problem

[24lemons]

I collected a 2011 1 series last week and it has one of these stuck to the windscreen;



A bit of googling suggests it's a DAB aerial.

Anyway, I cant seem to pick up Radio 2 no matter what I try. I have no idea how to use this stick-on aerial and I dont even know if it's plugged in! (to be honest I dont even care about DAB)

I just want to be able to tune my FM radio to my chosen station and it doesn't want to know. Is it possible that the auxiliary aerial could be interfering with the car's stereo in some way? Its a BMW Professional unit btw.

[Swanny87]

Is it the type of headunit where you can take it out with release keys or is it moulded into one whole dash unit? I would suggest that the aerial connector at the back has come loose somehow. However, I think that would mean you would lose all signal rather than one station. I think it's worth a try at least.

I imagine that BMW would use some kind of combined aerial rather than having a separate aerial for FM and DAB.I think an expert needs to weigh in here because I'm just applying common sense

Edited by Swanny87 on Thursday 25th September 18:23

[Swanny87]

Or if it's an aftermarket aerial (is it?) someone has removed the FM aerial in place of the DAB one?

[24lemons]

Hmm thats a point. The screen sometimes displays 'No DAB' and some FM stations come through loud and clear. I have no idea as to whether the device is working or not.

[r11co]

Your car has the rebadged AutoDAB/BMW add-on unit. Works by connecting in-line with the FM antenna input and modulates the DAB signal on an FM frequency that the standard tuner then picks up.

Crap, basically (well, actually an OK compromise if used with a decent second DAB antenna, which yours isn't).

Did it come with a remote control or does it work through the steering wheel controls? If it use a remote then it was the overpriced BMW dealer fit one. If not then AutoDAB (who actually make the unit).

Edited by r11co on Thursday 25th September 20:27

[24lemons]

r11co said:

Your car has the rebadged AutoDAB/BMW add-on unit. Works by connecting in-line with the FM antenna input and modulates the DAB signal on an FM frequency that the standard tuner then picks up.

Crap, basically (well, actually an OK compromise if used with a decent second DAB antenna, which yours isn't).

Did it come with a remote control or does it work through the steering wheel controls? If it use a remote then it was the overpriced BMW dealer fit one. If not then AutoDAB (who actually make the unit).

Edited by r11co on Thursday 25th September 20:27

There is no remote control that I have seen. The steering wheel has the input selection button which lets me choose between CD, Tuner and Aux/Ipod.