E53 satnav

[lewiehigh91]

Hey there.
I want to fit oem satnav in my e53.

Bmw original e39 and e53, e38
No pixel missing
in the package
16.9 widescreen sat nav
full Wire looms
Hard drive
Moniter
Nav cd player drive
Play in plug

This is what I've seen advertised, what else do I need?

Cheers

[Horizon]

Hi and welcome to the forum

[X5Sport]

......and there's no hard drive either.  The system uses DVDs.

No mention of the GPS antenna either?

You are looking at significant work for a very dated (and limited) system.  By a newer standalone Garmin.  Cheaper, faster and better all round, but not OEM looking I know.

[lewiehigh91]

I haven't got anything in there at all at the moment, and it's annoying me, just don't know what to put in!

[Horizon]

Take a  photo of the opening, has it got a plastic shelf across the opening, as the non sat navs are two single din units so need a shelf, is there a  large black quadlock in there, is there a light blue plug of the Fakra aerial cable, as the sat nav versions have no shelf, a different quadlock, and the Aerial goes to the radio module in boot near the spare wheel. Is it a facelift or non facelift.

[henrym3]

To give you another option you can fit a Dynavin which they say is plug and play. I have it fitted with the DAB and TV option. Not cheap but you'd be hard pushed to look in and not think it was OEM. Plug and play I would say is dependant on your skill levels as you have to run a loom from the boot.

[Horizon]

[quote="henrym3"]
To give you another option you can fit a Dynavin which they say is plug and play. I have it fitted with the DAB and TV option. Not cheap but you'd be hard pushed to look in and not think it was OEM. Plug and play I would say is dependant on your skill levels as you have to run a loom from the boot.
[/quote] I fitted the Dynavin to mine, which was a non sat nav version, once I'd cur the shelf out it was a 10 minute fit as the aerial and quadlock are already up front

[henrym3]

Of course, if you don't have the DSP amp it is much simpler. on another note Horizon have you done any of the online upgrades.

[Horizon]

I sold the X5 a couple of years ago, so no longer have it. Mine was the Win 6 CE version so wasn't the Android unit. So apps wasn't an option.
It had Bluetooth, canbus steering wheel controls, DVD, Micro sim music, iPod lead, DVD in motion, radio ( crap reception ) CD, IGO 8  satnav ( Brilliant) looked 99% OEM looking.

[lewiehigh91]

Mine is a pre face lift, that had just the cd player/radio in the front. I am quite handy so am capable of running looms and fitting it all myself

[Dannyh172]

I have the cheaper Eonon unit in mine, it works pretty well for the price! My only problem with it is the radio reception! I'm still lookin into where there may be a signal amplifier buried in the car somewhere that isn't getting live anymore (since removing old head unit). I even tried buying the DAB antenna but hasn't made the slightest difference! If anyone can shed some light would be much appreciated!


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[X5Sport]

The original system in the E53 has antenna diversity and amplification.  I think they are/we're in the left rear corner or up in the headlining at the rear.  If you trace the aerial wires from the left rear window you should find the unit.  There might have been one in the rear spoiler but I'm not 100% sure of that.

DAB coverage is highly geographical, particularly close to the South East due to French TV being in the same part of the radio spectrum.  Coverage along those parts of the country closest to Le Continent is not good for vehicle reception.  Things will improve as the newer DAB+ services roll out.  Current U.K. DAB audio is less than most MP3 players, transmitted at just 64kbps!

The UK jumped into DAB far too early and now needs to replace DAB with DAB+, and for many that means new DAB receivers too!  VHF FM services were due to start shutting down from 2017 but that it too hot a political issue until DAB+ deploys nationally.  Can't go upsetting Radio 4 listeners on their crystal sets.  They write nasty letters to their Members of Parliament don't you know!! (only kidding honest).

Back on topic, if you find that a portable DAB is struggling with a signal then you car will also struggle.

[henrym3]

I had an Eonon originally fitted and the reception I got I considered excellent, Likewise the Dynavin, excellent reception, have fitted DAB module binned the original aerial that came with it and fitted a roof DAB aerial,consider it excellent. Now I only mention this because my son has an Eonon with completely crap reception on a 4.4l There is a module under the rear spoiler, the antenna module you can see if you remove the rear left door where cd/satnav are and look in behind the next panel forward. We found that output lead plug was damaged/broken, he's trying to get a replacement atm. 

[henrym3]

having now had a look at the parts list, the spoiler module is an amplifier for the rear window aerial. The aerial then comes down the l/h side and is joined by the aerial from the r/l window these then go to a suppression filter which is behind that panel on the left side. So in my son's case two aerials into the suppression filter one out to radio. BUT there are other modules mentioned which I suppose depends on what equipment was originally ordered when new. If anyone can add to this or tell me I'm talking complete b%*^&£s please feel free cos we've been chasing this poor reception for a while. 

[Horizon]

I had bad radio reception on my Dynavin, I was tempted to buy a normal aerial from a motor factors and try that,
Maybe even look at a shark fin type if you don't like the look of standard aerials, I know the shark fins re normally for Bluetooth or satnav,  it someone will probably do one for FM reception.