I know this topic has probably been done to death, and I have read loads and loads on it on various forums and the web...but I still can't find a conclusive answer.
The issues:
TV Tuner needs to be converted to digital
The BM54 amp needs repairing as some of the channels do not work.
The DVD drive is playing up. I have replaced the laser in it (SF-HD4) and its made no difference. Think the sled on its runners is shot
And this just what I know about.
Now...the question is, do i spend a good amount of money repairing all of this, what is effectively 10 year old electronics....or buy an updated head unit?
Found this, and quite like the look of the functionality of it.
http://www.car-vision.co.uk/262-bmw-x5-e53
What has everyone else done and what works etc? I am guessing I still need to repair the BM54 unit regardless of what unit I go for?
I did also look at getting new internals for the DVD Nav drive. I have the M3 4.6, and I have seen the M3.5 pop up on eBay a couple of times. Anyone know if they are compatible?
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E53 MkIV DVD Unit/BM54 Amp..repair or replace?
Discuss the problems with your X5 (E53).
- ScottBarton
- Newbie
- Posts: 48
- Joined: Sun Dec 07, 2014 8:14 am
- Location: Kent
E53 MkIV DVD Unit/BM54 Amp..repair or replace?
Post by ScottBarton » Sun Dec 28, 2014 5:22 pm
Current:
2017 M50D
2016 Porsche Cayman 981 GTS
Past:
1990 1.9 205 GTI Miami Blue (Sold 2014)
1994 MR2 Turbo T-Bar, 397BHP with NOS (Sold 2021)
2004 3.0D X5 Sport Rest in pieces 2021
2017 M50D
2016 Porsche Cayman 981 GTS
Past:
1990 1.9 205 GTI Miami Blue (Sold 2014)
1994 MR2 Turbo T-Bar, 397BHP with NOS (Sold 2021)
2004 3.0D X5 Sport Rest in pieces 2021
ScottBarton
Re: E53 MkIV DVD Unit/BM54 Amp..repair or replace?
Post by CondorX5 » Sun Jan 04, 2015 9:04 am
Its down to personal preference really, and how much money you want to spend on an aged vehicle. Most people with BM54 issues seem really happy with the repair service and upgrade -costs about £200 I think.
TV Tuner would need replacing - extremely pricey and not really worth it, to be honest, its a plug and play replacement though. You could cobble a digital box into the TV wiring with the existing analogue tunerbut that would lose some of the OEM functionality.
Sat nav - replacement drive from ebay, plug and play. Its an ancient sat nav but still functional, not as good as a £100 Garmin, but it keeps it all OEM.
I prefer the OEM setup myself, but many others have stripped it all out and replaced with new kit, its really just a personal preference as I said. And how deep your pockets are.
TV Tuner would need replacing - extremely pricey and not really worth it, to be honest, its a plug and play replacement though. You could cobble a digital box into the TV wiring with the existing analogue tunerbut that would lose some of the OEM functionality.
Sat nav - replacement drive from ebay, plug and play. Its an ancient sat nav but still functional, not as good as a £100 Garmin, but it keeps it all OEM.
I prefer the OEM setup myself, but many others have stripped it all out and replaced with new kit, its really just a personal preference as I said. And how deep your pockets are.
X5 2005 Le Mans Blue 4.8is
Fully loaded but Now semi-retired!
X5 2012 Alpine White 40d MSport 21" style 215 black alloys, rear entertainment, media package, comfort seats and a load of other options.
Fully loaded but Now semi-retired!
X5 2012 Alpine White 40d MSport 21" style 215 black alloys, rear entertainment, media package, comfort seats and a load of other options.
CondorX5
Re: E53 MkIV DVD Unit/BM54 Amp..repair or replace?
Post by Moments » Sun Jan 04, 2015 10:33 am
For the TV tuner you can go for a conversion service at about £250 or watch for a module from a breaker.
For the BM54 amp repair, I went to Baris at Carphonics and he did a great job for £99. The audio is genuinely better on fix, and not just because the speakers all work!
For the DVD drive you know how to dismantle as you've done the hard repair
An option is to buy the drive assembly as a single module, ship in from Netherlands or Germany for about €135. I believe that it's a Phillips unit.
For the BM54 amp repair, I went to Baris at Carphonics and he did a great job for £99. The audio is genuinely better on fix, and not just because the speakers all work!
For the DVD drive you know how to dismantle as you've done the hard repair

Moments
- ScottBarton
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- Joined: Sun Dec 07, 2014 8:14 am
- Location: Kent
Re: E53 MkIV DVD Unit/BM54 Amp..repair or replace?
Post by ScottBarton » Sun Jan 04, 2015 12:51 pm
Thanks for the comments guys.
I have actually gone for a replacement drive for the Nav unit. Got it from these guys - http://www.navigatie-onderdelen.nl
Hopefully be here in the next few days.
Am also going down to route of using Baris at Carphonics. Already had a brief chat with him about my options and seen his name crop up on many forums with great feedback. Seems the best option at this time.
Wil report back when I get everything fixed!
I have actually gone for a replacement drive for the Nav unit. Got it from these guys - http://www.navigatie-onderdelen.nl
Hopefully be here in the next few days.
Am also going down to route of using Baris at Carphonics. Already had a brief chat with him about my options and seen his name crop up on many forums with great feedback. Seems the best option at this time.
Wil report back when I get everything fixed!

Current:
2017 M50D
2016 Porsche Cayman 981 GTS
Past:
1990 1.9 205 GTI Miami Blue (Sold 2014)
1994 MR2 Turbo T-Bar, 397BHP with NOS (Sold 2021)
2004 3.0D X5 Sport Rest in pieces 2021
2017 M50D
2016 Porsche Cayman 981 GTS
Past:
1990 1.9 205 GTI Miami Blue (Sold 2014)
1994 MR2 Turbo T-Bar, 397BHP with NOS (Sold 2021)
2004 3.0D X5 Sport Rest in pieces 2021
ScottBarton
- ScottBarton
- Newbie
- Posts: 48
- Joined: Sun Dec 07, 2014 8:14 am
- Location: Kent
Re: E53 MkIV DVD Unit/BM54 Amp..repair or replace?
Post by ScottBarton » Mon Jan 05, 2015 8:29 pm
Happy to report DVD drive is fully functional after fitting the new internals. Piece of cake compared with changing the laser over.
Upgraded to the latest update V32 software and have 2015 maps with speed cams and perspective view and all works seamlessly. Job jobbed.
Two items sorted off my 'to do' list...(Bluetooth mobile module and DVD Nav drive).
Next up BM54 repairs!
Upgraded to the latest update V32 software and have 2015 maps with speed cams and perspective view and all works seamlessly. Job jobbed.

Two items sorted off my 'to do' list...(Bluetooth mobile module and DVD Nav drive).
Next up BM54 repairs!
Current:
2017 M50D
2016 Porsche Cayman 981 GTS
Past:
1990 1.9 205 GTI Miami Blue (Sold 2014)
1994 MR2 Turbo T-Bar, 397BHP with NOS (Sold 2021)
2004 3.0D X5 Sport Rest in pieces 2021
2017 M50D
2016 Porsche Cayman 981 GTS
Past:
1990 1.9 205 GTI Miami Blue (Sold 2014)
1994 MR2 Turbo T-Bar, 397BHP with NOS (Sold 2021)
2004 3.0D X5 Sport Rest in pieces 2021
ScottBarton
- ScottBarton
- Newbie
- Posts: 48
- Joined: Sun Dec 07, 2014 8:14 am
- Location: Kent
Re: E53 MkIV DVD Unit/BM54 Amp..repair or replace?
Post by ScottBarton » Fri Jan 16, 2015 12:02 am
BM54 fixed! Sent unit off to Baris for Stage 2 upgrade, and iPod connectivity.
Re-fitted this evening and all is working again. Happy!

Re-fitted this evening and all is working again. Happy!

Current:
2017 M50D
2016 Porsche Cayman 981 GTS
Past:
1990 1.9 205 GTI Miami Blue (Sold 2014)
1994 MR2 Turbo T-Bar, 397BHP with NOS (Sold 2021)
2004 3.0D X5 Sport Rest in pieces 2021
2017 M50D
2016 Porsche Cayman 981 GTS
Past:
1990 1.9 205 GTI Miami Blue (Sold 2014)
1994 MR2 Turbo T-Bar, 397BHP with NOS (Sold 2021)
2004 3.0D X5 Sport Rest in pieces 2021
ScottBarton
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