2005 X5 Radio Problem - Dorkiphus.net
Navigation » Dorkiphus.net > Technical & Track Disussions > BMW Technical Discussions » 2005 X5 Radio Problem

BMW Technical Discussions BMW related technical discussions and questions go here.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 11-08-2012, 03:10 PM
John's Avatar
John John is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Centreville, VA
Posts: 740
John
Default 2005 X5 Radio Problem

My daily driver is a 2005 e53 X5 3.0. A couple of months ago, the left front speaker started crackling a bit, and eventually cut out all together. It was gone for a few days, then came back. At first I thought it was the speaker itself, but I was able to gather from the Internets that it is more likely a problem with the Becker BM53 radio:

http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=409489

My symptoms seem pretty well identical to some of the problems listed in that post with the Becker BM54 (Europe) and Becker BM53 (US) radio units. The first symptom listed is actually exactly what mine is doing now:

Quote:
1 or more speaker failing, might also crackle. Sometimes it comes on when you start the car, but after a bit, it will cut out. This is down to the bad placemen/quality of the amps used inside the unit.
The OP on the linked thread, XKaLiBar, apparently repairs the units. He actually comes up a lot on other BMW forums when searching for info on this problem, and seems to have some satisfied customers. I'd consider having him repair mine, except that he's in Merry Olde England, which is a bit of a hike from Centreville.

Used units seem to go on ebay for $300 to $400. If I'm going to spend that much, I'd likely look into what my aftermarket options are, and possibly spend more to get a nicer system. I'm not wild about the idea of buying a used unit which may have, or at least be susceptible to, the same problem.

I believe the BM54/BM53 was used in quite a few BMW models since 2001, and possibly in some Land Rovers as well.

Has anyone here experienced similar issues with the radio in their BMW? Have you had it fixed or fixed it yourself?
__________________
John P.
1994 968 - DD
1984 944 NA - Low income housing for mice / Lemons Car

Past:
1986 951 - sold
1987 944 S2 Conversion - sold
1989 944 NA - sold
1986 944 NA - donated
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 11-08-2012, 03:18 PM
Jazzbass's Avatar
Jazzbass Jazzbass is offline
Site Admin
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Germantown, MD
Posts: 11,814
Jazzbass has eight HoF threadsJazzbass has eight HoF threadsJazzbass has eight HoF threadsJazzbass has eight HoF threadsJazzbass has eight HoF threadsJazzbass has eight HoF threadsJazzbass has eight HoF threads
Default

This is a radio unit with no display, correct? IOW, the display is through the nav/GPS screen, but this unit is the actual radio tuner/amp?
__________________
Chris M
1985 911 Carrera with a couple cosmetic only mods
2006 E90 330i
1999 E46 328i
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 11-08-2012, 03:29 PM
John's Avatar
John John is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Centreville, VA
Posts: 740
John
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jazzbass View Post
This is a radio unit with no display, correct? IOW, the display is through the nav/GPS screen, but this unit is the actual radio tuner/amp?
Correct. The BM53 unit is in the trunk, display/controls are through the Nav screen/buttons in the dash.
__________________
John P.
1994 968 - DD
1984 944 NA - Low income housing for mice / Lemons Car

Past:
1986 951 - sold
1987 944 S2 Conversion - sold
1989 944 NA - sold
1986 944 NA - donated
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump