natshaw

the BM54 back was made to accommodate any warranty or replacement of bm24 units i.e. straight plug and play (apart from antenna connect). only significant difference apart from being a newer more modern unit, is it has better Nav voice interaction.. (soft fade in and out).

BM54 Back's DONT have Aux In.

BM24's are still good units. much better sound than C23s etc and easy upgrade as you don't need to replace the antenna amp like you need to if upgrade to a BM54 flat pin.

the bm24 did have dry joint issues, but then the bm54 had amp issues... if you have NAV, i'd go for a BM54. IMHO..

Thanks mate. Re fade in & out, which do you mean?

1. It lowers the radio volume (as opposed to simply silencing it) when nav speaks?
2. Or, it fades the radio to silent, then plays the nav voice, (as opposed to simply cutting over instantly)

My BM54 Back definitely does not do #1.

Yeah EDC is a different system. Id be checking what you actually have exactly to start with. Does the EDC still function? it may of possibly been replaced.

Have you actually measured the heights?

EDC works, for what it's worth. Haven't measured heights.

Hey thanks for answers everyone. The only thing that confuses me is the fact I have seen aux in pins on diagrams for old-style BMW radios. See X18805 below.

Do people still use OEM nav ?

Ha ha, yes, I do! I have just upgraded my Japanese E38 Nav & 4:3 monitor to Mk-IV Nav and 16:9 monitor. Love it!

Id be surprised if it has pressure accumulators being a non iL. Does it using ATF or CHS11 for power steering?

Well I haven't actually looked, shows it on my parts diagram. Mine is ex Japan, with EDC. http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=GF82&mospid=47517&btnr=33_0454&hg=33&fg=50

Id be surprised if it has pressure accumulators being a non iL. Does it using ATF or CHS11 for power steering?

ATF

Given the features that the BM54 backwards-compatible round-pins version lacks, is it really any different to a BM24?

(Apart from antenna connect differences)

It is an 740iL?

Well near enough to, 1997 740i.

Nothing quite like that heavy BMW 7-series boot smashing into my 6th and 7th vertebrae, but I am getting a little sick of it.

My E38 has a couple of odd symptoms, might be related:

1. A a hard, shuddering bounce sometimes, usually from rear left, but can be hard to tell. Drive round a corner, on a bumpy road surface and it happens every time.
2. Car is lop-sided. Front-right is lower than front-left.

Am thinking maybe gas accumulators?

Any tips or experience in this areas appreciated!

Hi, I'm wondering how I can tell if my radio can be switched from Japanese frequency range to NZ freq.

Car is 1997 740i (4.4l), stereo is 4:3 TV with DVD GPS and CD stacker. Sorry, am not sure what other information is relevant - I am new and so is the car (for me, at least)!

Any help much appreciated, am hoping I don't have to get a different radio!

Edit: actually, it wouldn't bother me to get a new stereo if that would help with getting the Japanese GPS to operate in English with NZ maps! Am assuming only certain gear is compatible with my E38, but not sure which versions.

Cheers!