e39 radio problems - BMW Forum

Eyjafjallajökull · 04-24-2010, 02:24 PM

My BMW 530i model 2002 has a business radio with a CD changer, without DSP.
One by one the cars speakers have been going silent. Now there is only one left alive. The strange thing is though on cold winter mornings few speakers come to life for a few minutes but then go silent.

Does anyone have a clue what to look for before I go to the dealer for a possible costly repair.

Best regards from Iceland

Synesthesia · 04-26-2010, 04:41 AM

It sounds like you have a problem with your Amp. Do you have a "hissing" sound from your dead speakers? See if you can purchase a used amplifier from ebay or somewhere else cheap.

Eyjafjallajökull · 04-28-2010, 02:00 PM

Thank you for your reply.
I managed to find a retired bmw radio expert working part time from his home garage. He found no amp in the trunk which must mean that the tuner-amp must be some sort of a combo. His diagnosis is that the tuner is busted. The price of a new one from the dealer is just crazy, approx 3,000- USD

The next step is to find an alternative. Where to look ? I´ve been browsing the net and came accross the Alpine IVA D106r

YouTube - Custom Built Sound System: BMW 5-series

Maybe you or other members have further ideas or comments.

One other thing. Should there be any trouble bying a unit in the US for a euro spec. BMW ?

Synesthesia · 04-29-2010, 02:24 AM

The stock amps are decent because it has the cross-overs to balance out your multiple speakers. That's the cheapest rout. Ebay has proven sucess for me. I have an extra bmw amp but tell me your part number for your car to see if it fits. Name me your price.
Aloha, and best of luck. P.S. don't go the "cheap" rout by buying a "cheap" system for your awesome car.

Synesthesia · 04-29-2010, 02:25 AM

Lucky you, you have a euro spec BMW. It shouldn't be a problem, use the net european companies do ship to the US. A german company shipped me an item all the way to Hawaii.