XSeries-forum

Please can someone give some advice. My radio on my X5 has stopped working. First of all I lost all my stored radio channels it just showed the numbers then there was a loud/piercing noise, then a crackling noise - similar to a mobile interference. My local BMW dealer in Sevenoaks Kent want £102+vat to diagnose then up to £800 if a new radio needed!!!! Any ideas/appreciated. CD/Tape & Sat Nav not working but computer & orange light still come on. X5 is 54 plate. Thanks in advance. Tara

Hi Tara, welcome - perhaps introducing yourself and your car's year / model etc in the new members area would mean yo get more responses to your questions as its generally viewed as good form to say hi and introduce yourself when joining.  Radio could be a number of issues, there are repair services for the original unit out there, but as several of your modules seem to be faulty perhaps sourcing a good used unit on ebay or from a breakers would be a good idea.

Have you tried resetting the battery first though? Disconnect the vehicle battery (in boot under tin hat) Wait 20 seconds and reconnect.  That sometimes solves radio and other issues easily.

Good suggestion Condor.

Welcome Tara....

It could be - in no particular order and a deep breath......fuses, wiring, BMnn radio unit, Head Unit, computers throwing a tizzy fit (hence Condor's suggestion), water in the boot (where the radio unit really is)......and there are probably more.

With model details then we can help......

Richard

Hi,

Had a mate with a E53 with the same issue. Took the unit out , made sure all conections were clean. Did the same with all the fuses and hey presto it works.
Radio modules are known to fail, a new one is around £400, but you can get them repaired for a lot less. They also suffer connectivity issues which is why removal /cleaning of all conections sometimes works.
I wouldn't go to a main dealer for this, especially the one in the vestry estate. They are ....well lets just say I wouldn't go there .

Regards,
Nat.