XSeries-forum

is it poss to upgrade standard bmw radio to dab in a 2008 x5 e70

[quote="russ25"]
is it poss to upgrade standard bmw radio to dab in a 2008 x5 e70
[/quote]

Try these chaps http://www.bmwdab.co.uk

BMW do an upgrade using the PURE add on unit HD display for about £200 if memory serves.  A dealer would also be able to tell you if your standard unit can have an OEM DAB module attached, but don't expect it to be cheap and dealers are notorious for not having a clue!  Their usual answer is that if they can't find a retrofit kit then it isn't possible - even though it might be.

Put your last 7 characters of your VIN into Realoem and see if a kit shows up - possibly in the Comms or Entertainment sub sections.

got these from realoem.com but no prices.

No. Description Supp. Qty From Up To Part Number Price Notes
For vehicles with
Climate comfort windscreen
S358A=No
01 Digital radio retrofit kit         1 65122336500
02 Digital radio retrofit remote 1 65122337892
03 Digital radio retrofit antenna 1 65122337891

Send a PM to cotswoldbmwmini - member of the Forum and a BMW Dealer who gives us discount.

thanks x5sport il pm them.

[quote="russ25"]
is it poss to upgrade standard bmw radio to dab in a 2008 x5 e70
[/quote]

Have you had DAB radio in a car before ? I have it in my van, didn't realise it had DAB until one of the lads borrowed it and had some AM Chanel on, when I was changing the band I noticed it had DAB.
( it also had USB iPod interface, voice activation , Bluetooth front and rear PDC, heated windscreen too, better specked than a lot of new Beemers

The problem with DAB is the transmitter power is only around 10% of that used for VHF FM, frequently less, and it does tend to drop a lot if you don't gave an FM alternative the radio can switch too.

But with the FM alternative, it is slightly delayed so the last 5 seconds is repeated again.

DAB drives me mad, reception on any channel I try drops out all over the placed - including the M25 where I would expect a decent signal.

[quote="pvr"]
But with the FM alternative, it is slightly delayed so the last 5 seconds is repeated again.

DAB drives me mad, reception on any channel I try drops out all over the placed - including the M25 where I would expect a decent signal.
[/quote]

Ahh that explains why when listening to radio 2 the other day the news was on and he repeated the same line again, didn't realise it reverted back to FM on a delay. Explains why I thought only certain stations ( those without an FM alternative seemed to drop out more often ). Thanks for the explanation.
Unfortunately I only listen to DAB to hear the channels that are not on FM.

The repeat is because the main broadcasts are now on DAB and retransmitted via FM which leads to a delay between the twodue to signal processing etc.  Same thing happens if you have 2 TVs on in the house and have one TV on via Freeview and one via satellite as everything usually goes out to space first, with Freeview either being fed from that or via fibre terrestrial links.