jochen 4 Report post Posted April 8, 2006 Here's a useful 'How to' for BMW fans: HOW TO CHANGE JAPAN RADIOS TO NZ FREQUENCIES - WITHOUT A BAND EXPANDER Factory fitted BMW radios from around 2000 onwards have a 'world tuner' inside them. The same radio can be used anywhere in the world. The radio can be programmed to operate in JAPAN mode (FM = 70-90), or in OCEANIA or EUROPE mode (FM=87.5-108). They also do a USA and CANADA mode but that's not useful here in NZ. BMWs imported from Japan have their radios set to JAPAN mode (wonder why?) These can be readily re-programmed to NZ frequencies as follows: 1. Switch on radio 2. Within 10 seconds, press and hold down the 'm' button until the serial number appears (takes around 10secs) to enter the radio's service menu. 3. Use the + or - buttons to cycle through the menu settings until you see AREA JAPAN or just JAPAN (varies a bit depending on radio) 4. Use the 1...6 buttons to select either OCEANIA (or OCE) or EUROPE - both are valid settings for New Zealand - see below for differences. 5. Switch radio off to store the change Voila! Your radio has now bee reprogrammed to receive NZ FM frequencies! Also, the cool RDS features will now be available. Differences between OCEANIA and EUROPE modes on an E46 Business RDS radio (other radios may vary slightly): a) EUROPE has LW, MW and FM. OCEANIA has AM and FM only. OCEANIA shows ST for a FM stereo station; EUROPE doesn't show anything for stereo or mono FM stations. c) EUROPE has the softkeys set to RDS and TP; OCEANIA has RDS and PTY Which ever one you choose - OCEANIA or EUROPE - is up to you, they both work. I hope you find this info useful, and that the forum moderator makes this a 'sticky' PS: If anyone wants any info or help with BMW radios - talk to me. I've helped around 80 BMW owners convert from Japan radios to proper NZ radios for their BMWs, thus keeping the vehicle in original condition, and obtaining proper radio reception. Send me an email for more info! Cheers, Jochen Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Andrew Report post Posted April 9, 2006 Bummer - we chucked ours out in our 2000 e46 jap import Stickied Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jochen 4 Report post Posted April 9, 2006 What did you fit instead? just curious... I happen to have a couple of E46 NZ radios here looking for homes... And one for an E36/E34/Z3, and one for an E39... Jochen Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
318Touring 40 Report post Posted April 9, 2006 jochen, the method you describe above won't work for E36's Japanese radio? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
petone 0 Report post Posted April 9, 2006 how much we looking at for one to fit an E36? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bmwsparkle 3 Report post Posted April 9, 2006 What did you fit instead? just curious... I happen to have a couple of E46 NZ radios here looking for homes... And one for an E36/E34/Z3, and one for an E39... Jochen what size are they? any cd? how much? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jochen 4 Report post Posted April 11, 2006 To 318Touring & petone: Most E36 radios are too old to have world tuners. BMW made seperate Jap, Euro/NZ and USA versions. Except for the very latest Business CD - this has the World tuner. But I don't have one. I do have a Kiwi E36 Business RDS radio/tape here, email me for more details Jochen Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hybrid 1043 Report post Posted June 1, 2006 What did you fit instead? just curious... I happen to have a couple of E46 NZ radios here looking for homes... And one for an E36/E34/Z3, and one for an E39... Jochen Seriously considering the NAV system ... got any availible ?I do have unfortunitly have special requirements .. as I have the Denson ICE:LINK ipod system in mine ... it 'should' work .. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jochen 4 Report post Posted June 3, 2006 Hi hybrid, I've seen your car. If you're keen, it can be done. Parts need to be sourced either new ($$$$$$$) or secondhand ($$) I've emailled you the original retro-fit instructions from BMW, according to BMW it takes 5.5hrs of work to fit the retrofit kit. Have a look through the instructions to understand what is needed. Cheers, Jochen Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stubbszy 633csi 0 Report post Posted June 3, 2006 AWESOME INFO WILL KEEP THAT HANDY FOR THE FUTURE. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Spargo Report post Posted September 5, 2006 E36 Business RDS radio/tape here, email me for more details Jochen Got a CD one? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sosnz 1 Report post Posted September 25, 2006 Here's a useful 'How to' for BMW fans: HOW TO CHANGE JAPAN RADIOS TO NZ FREQUENCIES - WITHOUT A BAND EXPANDER Factory fitted BMW radios from around 2000 onwards have a 'world tuner' inside them. The same radio can be used anywhere in the world. The radio can be programmed to operate in JAPAN mode (FM = 70-90), or in OCEANIA or EUROPE mode (FM=87.5-108). They also do a USA and CANADA mode but that's not useful here in NZ. BMWs imported from Japan have their radios set to JAPAN mode (wonder why?) These can be readily re-programmed to NZ frequencies as follows: 1. Switch on radio 2. Within 10 seconds, press and hold down the 'm' button until the serial number appears (takes around 10secs) to enter the radio's service menu. 3. Use the + or - buttons to cycle through the menu settings until you see AREA JAPAN or just JAPAN (varies a bit depending on radio) 4. Use the 1...6 buttons to select either OCEANIA (or OCE) or EUROPE - both are valid settings for New Zealand - see below for differences. 5. Switch radio off to store the change Voila! Your radio has now bee reprogrammed to receive NZ FM frequencies! Also, the cool RDS features will now be available. Differences between OCEANIA and EUROPE modes on an E46 Business RDS radio (other radios may vary slightly): a) EUROPE has LW, MW and FM. OCEANIA has AM and FM only. OCEANIA shows ST for a FM stereo station; EUROPE doesn't show anything for stereo or mono FM stations. c) EUROPE has the softkeys set to RDS and TP; OCEANIA has RDS and PTY Which ever one you choose - OCEANIA or EUROPE - is up to you, they both work. I hope you find this info useful, and that the forum moderator makes this a 'sticky' PS: If anyone wants any info or help with BMW radios - talk to me. I've helped around 80 BMW owners convert from Japan radios to proper NZ radios for their BMWs, thus keeping the vehicle in original condition, and obtaining proper radio reception. Send me an email for more info! Cheers, Jochen Is there a way to do this to an e36 radio or is it just rubbish? 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yuen 16 Report post Posted September 25, 2006 Is there a way to do this to an e36 radio or is it just rubbish? It depends on what year your E36 is, or you could also tell us which model BMW radio you have. It's very likely yours does not have a world tuner. I think only in the very last year(s?) of the E36, some came with radios that had the world tuner. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
beemn 50 Report post Posted January 9, 2007 Here's a useful 'How to' for BMW fans: HOW TO CHANGE JAPAN RADIOS TO NZ FREQUENCIES - WITHOUT A BAND EXPANDER Factory fitted BMW radios from around 2000 onwards have a 'world tuner' inside them. The same radio can be used anywhere in the world. The radio can be programmed to operate in JAPAN mode (FM = 70-90), or in OCEANIA or EUROPE mode (FM=87.5-108). They also do a USA and CANADA mode but that's not useful here in NZ. BMWs imported from Japan have their radios set to JAPAN mode (wonder why?) These can be readily re-programmed to NZ frequencies as follows: 1. Switch on radio 2. Within 10 seconds, press and hold down the 'm' button until the serial number appears (takes around 10secs) to enter the radio's service menu. 3. Use the + or - buttons to cycle through the menu settings until you see AREA JAPAN or just JAPAN (varies a bit depending on radio) 4. Use the 1...6 buttons to select either OCEANIA (or OCE) or EUROPE - both are valid settings for New Zealand - see below for differences. 5. Switch radio off to store the change Voila! Your radio has now bee reprogrammed to receive NZ FM frequencies! Also, the cool RDS features will now be available. Differences between OCEANIA and EUROPE modes on an E46 Business RDS radio (other radios may vary slightly): a) EUROPE has LW, MW and FM. OCEANIA has AM and FM only. OCEANIA shows ST for a FM stereo station; EUROPE doesn't show anything for stereo or mono FM stations. c) EUROPE has the softkeys set to RDS and TP; OCEANIA has RDS and PTY Which ever one you choose - OCEANIA or EUROPE - is up to you, they both work. I hope you find this info useful, and that the forum moderator makes this a 'sticky' PS: If anyone wants any info or help with BMW radios - talk to me. I've helped around 80 BMW owners convert from Japan radios to proper NZ radios for their BMWs, thus keeping the vehicle in original condition, and obtaining proper radio reception. Send me an email for more info! Cheers, Jochen will it work on an e90? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jochen 4 Report post Posted January 9, 2007 will it work on an e90?Extracted from the WDS:Brief description of radio For the E90, there are four radio levels as optional extras. Radio Audio without drive Radio Business CD with CD drive Radio Professional with CD-ROM drive Radio Professional with MD drive In addition, the navigation system Business (M-ASK) and navigation system Professional (CCC) can also be chosen. Different audio system can be combined with the radios. As standard, the stereo system is fitted with all radios (no external amplifier). Audio program The audio systems in the BMW 1 Series are divided into 3 levels: Stereo system HiFi system Top Hi-Fi system The audio systems differ in that various sound pressures can be achieved or there is improved system linearity. The stereo system consists of 6 loudspeakers; the HiFi system or top-hifi system consists of 10 loudspeakers and various additional amplifiers. The central bass speakers are located under the front seats. Aerials Rear-window aerials and a roof-mounted aerial are used in the E87. The rear-window aerials deliver the signals for the reception of FM. The roof-mounted aerial receives the signals for the telephone, FM and AM. Antenna diversity is fitted on the Radio Business CD and Radio Professional or higher. Antenna diversity contains the aerial amplifiers. Antenna diversity switches the aerials for FM. Service mode Proceed as follows to call up the Service mode: Terminal 30g ON Switch off the radio Switch on the radio again Within 8s for a duration of 8s, press the button for manual station-search function The radio switches into the Service mode So put the radio into service mode and see if you have an AREA option available to you. If so, set it to EUROPE. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trogladyte 0 Report post Posted February 7, 2007 I have just bought a 2002 Z3 M. Just tried this now but no luck. I don't have anything that looks remotely like a country apper. Only SN, something that seems to be a date (if it's manuf date then it's a 99 stereo) and something GAL 1 - 6. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jameslowe71 0 Report post Posted August 8, 2007 Tried this but looks like my unit is slightly too old...... any other suggestions before I buy a band expander Thanks James Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bmck 0 Report post Posted August 8, 2007 Many thanks for posting this Jochen; it worked for me and I'm very grateful to you. I also managed to find via Google an English manual for the BMW Business radio (my used car is a Japanese import). For others who may need this, the PDF can be found here: http://www.linquist.net/motorsports/bmw/3manuals/ Cheers, Bruce Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ottenpat 0 Report post Posted August 11, 2007 I have a E46 2000 320i from Japan. Just tried this now but no luck. I don't have anything that looks remotely like a country apper. Only SN, something that seems to be a date (if it's manuf date then it's a 99 stereo) and something GAL 1 - 6. Is this unit an older radio without the world tuner? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jochen 4 Report post Posted August 11, 2007 I have a E46 2000 320i from Japan. Just tried this now but no luck. I don't have anything that looks remotely like a country apper. Only SN, something that seems to be a date (if it's manuf date then it's a 99 stereo) and something GAL 1 - 6. Is this unit an older radio without the world tuner? Yes, your car is too old. World tuners were fitted to E46 from around end 2001. Only option for you is to replace the radio with a Euro/Oceania model - which in itself is an easy job. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mtk540 3 Report post Posted August 13, 2007 Hey Jochen (or anyone else who may know) .... We also have a 1999 Audi A4 (B5 model). My wife is making noises about fitting a band expander but is there a similar fix for the standard Audi head unit ??? Yeah I know they are cheap as chips but when fitted the actual frequency is out of whack with the displayed frequency. Cheers Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jochen 4 Report post Posted August 15, 2007 Hey Jochen (or anyone else who may know) .... We also have a 1999 Audi A4 (B5 model). My wife is making noises about fitting a band expander but is there a similar fix for the standard Audi head unit ??? Yeah I know they are cheap as chips but when fitted the actual frequency is out of whack with the displayed frequency. Don't know about Audis. Try a replacement European model radio, buy one on ebay Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fookmain 0 Report post Posted September 10, 2007 Don't know about Audis. Try a replacement European model radio, buy one on ebay Hi Jochen...new to this forum......is it possible to do the frequency change on a Japan Sepc E60 530? What is the procedure? Many thanks ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jochen 4 Report post Posted September 11, 2007 Hi Jochen...new to this forum......is it possible to do the frequency change on a Japan Sepc E60 530? What is the procedure? Many thanks ! The E60 is all software controlled. The car has to be reprogrammed by the diagnostic system to change the radio from JAPAN to EUROPE mode. Call Guido Locher at BM Workshop, in Auckland, he has been able to reprogram these units. I cannot do it as I do not have the diagnostic software Jochen Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fookmain 0 Report post Posted September 12, 2007 will it work on an e90? Ok...thanks for the note. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
