e39 Radio Jap Conversion ?

[RvT 9]

Brother in law has come over to the other side and bought a e39 Touring 09/2000 build (GL80138). The dealer put a band expander in but clarity is not the best nor is range. It has TV which works but no need to upgrade Sat Nav as he won't use it.

Searches says that pre 01 radio is not world radio so needs to be replaced.

Jochen, feel free to chime in with your thoughts Basically looking to replace the radio only if that can be done and is it a plug n play or a bit more complex. Where is the radio module found or is it part of the TV module? Had a look at the menus but couldn't see anywhere to change in the menu.

Image attached

[jochen 4]

Brother in law has come over to the other side and bought a e39 Touring 09/2000 build (GL80138). The dealer put a band expander in but clarity is not the best nor is range. It has TV which works but no need to upgrade Sat Nav as he won't use it.

Searches says that pre 01 radio is not world radio so needs to be replaced.

Jochen, feel free to chime in with your thoughts Basically looking to replace the radio only if that can be done and is it a plug n play or a bit more complex. Where is the radio module found or is it part of the TV module? Had a look at the menus but couldn't see anywhere to change in the menu.

Change the radio module, plug and play, very simple. No programming required.

Touring: The radio is under the black plastic trim under the boot floor to the left rear of the spare wheel well. Remove trim to expose radio module. Trim is easy to remove. Exchange from Jap to Euro model is plug and play. Remember to remove the band expander afterwards! Hopefully they used a plug-in band expander.

You need a Euro-model Philips PH7851 Business RDS "old-generation" tuner module. This will be directly compatible with the Jap nav. Do not get a Becker Professional RDS, the Jap nav cannot handle the professional radio. Do not get a new-gen radio. This is also no compatible with the Japanese nav.

PH7851 Business RDS looks like this:

E39 Old-Gen Radio on eBay

Another old-gen radio

Another Old-Gen eBay radio

But NOT this:

NEw-Gen Radio Module

Do not use:

an ex-Japan radio

an ex-USA radio, this won't tune to NZ stations

a Professional RDS radio, won't work with Jap nav

a New-Gen radio, won't work with Jap nav

You are best to use an Euro radio module, this is directly compatible with NZ stations and standards, and has the added benefit of RDS for station name and song title display.

PS: exchanging the nav is easy and really worth while. You'll get fully working NZ nav and a few extra features such as PIN-code immobilisation.

Edited August 1, 2008 by jochen

[jochen 4]

PS: hotwire (forum member) may have a radio module for you. Ask him.

[RvT 9]

Legend ... THANKS Jochen