Oone more- Help needed: 00 540iT - radio
 

oh also, the radio in the 540iT: FM & CD works as it should be, but extremely poor reception on AM.

* is it a common fault in e39? (i have no problem with the radio in the e46)

* I spotted some disconnected sections on the antana lines (rear left trunk window), would it be the cause? but the FM reception is as good as it can be?

the car is still under warranty, so I hope it has nothing to do with the damaged antana lines ... I may have to blame the 1st owner then ...

Worst case: how much to replace the unit? It is a radio/cassette/OBC with DSP.

Tks.

I have exact problem with my 2000 540iA. According to the dealer, it might have something to do with the tint material used on the rear glass (non-metallic tint perhaps). When I got the car, it has tinted glass already. I'm not sure if yours has tinted glass.

no, pnvenzon, mine isn't tinted.

Do you see those "broken antanae lines" in your car too?

I don't have broken antena lines. I'm going to the dealer tomorrow for my squicking doors and I'll have them check the AM radio too. The last time, I only spoke with them over the phone. I'll inform you of the outcome.

Just got back from the dealer. I was told that the poor reception on the AM radio is very much common to the newer bmw's. I've seen these types of complaints on other forum sites including on '03 325i. Apparently BMW is more focused on FM than the AM. By me removing the tint on the rear glass will NOT do much good. I'm disappointed.

Update: Dealership told me that the unit has gone bad hence AM isn't working properly. They will replace it under warranty (yes, the whole unit which included the BC.

As mentioned, FM, Tape, CD, DSP, BC, etc.. in my car all works perfectly except that AM reception is extremely poor. My car isn;t tinted. Suggest those of us who experienced the same problem to ask for a replacement service where appropriate, before too late. Mine is a 00 with 42k Miles.

Im thinking thast maybe it has something to do with the antenna lines being severed/broken when ther tint is applied...

to receive am radio stations a better antenna is required. Has anybody done this on a323i E46?

if you have poor reception you can try to tighten the connection at the antenna amp. to do this remove your C pillar cover on the drivers side and then you can check the cables going into the amp. they screw on. this sometimes works but not all the time. from there it is possible to get better reception after replacing the amp, but more times than not it takes a rear glass to fix poor reception.

Antenna connection
 

To get better AM reception
I intend to install a Power antenn like on the E-30
How is the E-46 C pillar cover removed to get to the Antenna coax cable?