Advice on radio needed?

billben · 03-09-2018, 08:28 PM

I have a 2006 325i with the usual radio display/fading pixel issue. Dealership quoted $731 to replace radio unit (part 65-12-9-130-046) and $220 for labor. I've seen the unit online as cheap as $500.

Question - would you
a) replace with a new radio and pay the $500, plus labor.
b) replace with a used radio (I've seen them on Ebay for as low as $100 from auto salvage sellers). If I get a used, will it involve reprogramming, etc.? Is this difficult to do myself? I'm fairly handy.
c) try an aftermarket radio. If so, which one?

Thanks for any suggestions/advice.

ctuna · 03-09-2018, 08:44 PM

You can buy a Diy kit for the LED strip for 100 bucks on ebay or send
it in to one of the places that replace the LED strip for
around 150 also on ebay.

You may be able to reprogram a Radio with a K/D can
cable in an 06 in models after 09 it requires a Icom cable .
You will need to learn BMW coding to do this.
see coding subforum.
There are also coders that offer remote services or if
you are near a metro area you may be able to find one locally.

Its easier to replace the display.
see the following links.
This is a very common problem.

Repair resources
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-C...ioQ5fVideo#ht_
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ighlight=pixel
http://www.diyparadise.net/bmw_cd73_repair.html
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1306708
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=761513

smass · 03-10-2018, 07:49 AM

Reach out to https://www.bimmergeeks.net/ They were helpful when I put a 2011 radio in my 2006. I have also changed the screen in the older radio which does not require coding. In the end I prefer the 2011 radio because it has HD radio, faster channel changing and better screen which does not fail. 2009+ radios are a made by a different company.

Removing the radio is easy. Pull up on the trim at the bottom and remove it. Remove 2 screws. Remove radio.

billben · 03-10-2018, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smassey321

Reach out to https://www.bimmergeeks.net/ They were helpful when I put a 2011 radio in my 2006. I have also changed the screen in the older radio which does not require coding. In the end I prefer the 2011 radio because it has HD radio, faster channel changing and better screen which does not fail. 2009+ radios are a made by a different company.

Removing the radio is easy. Pull up on the trim at the bottom and remove it. Remove 2 screws. Remove radio.

So, I could put in a 2011 radio into a 2006 without any problems as far as losing fuctionality, etc.?

smass · 03-10-2018, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billben

So, I could put in a 2011 radio into a 2006 without any problems as far as losing fuctionality, etc.?

Correct. The new radio probably will need to be coded to match the options your car has. Logic 7, bluetooth, Sirius.

ctuna · 03-10-2018, 10:34 AM

If you are going the new radio route you might try to get one
with USB. Coding a new radio into an 06 can require some tricky
programming.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=687463

billben · 03-10-2018, 11:38 AM

Thank you for your suggestions!

smass · 03-10-2018, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctuna

If you are going the new radio route you might try to get one
with USB. Coding a new radio into an 06 can require some tricky
programming.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=687463

I tried to buy one of these and was not able to find one. I think they are only for European cars and I wanted the HD radio which is US only. To get USB I had to add a MULF using the TCU Bluetooth pre-wiring in the trunk.

Efthreeoh · 03-10-2018, 03:01 PM

Okay, here's my dumb question...

Can you drive the car without the radio present in the car? My thinking is, it will throw some trouble codes, so no big deal there, but my real concern is does it cause functionality with the gauge cluster, etc.?

I'll probably send my radio out to get repaired, more because being an old fart, my hands aren't as steady as they used to be. I fixed my $17 headphones a few months ago and realized my previously decent soldering skills have deteriorated a bit.

TIA

ptpending · 03-10-2018, 04:30 PM

you can drive car without radio but if you have rear pdc, you will not get their sounds without radio

ctuna · 03-10-2018, 04:37 PM

You might get and SOS error to but its nothing to worry
about.
Be sure to write down the Radio serial number so you know
you got the original back . (with the proper programming for your car in it)

Bingobimmer · 03-10-2018, 11:54 PM

As others have said replace leds

beeman77 · 03-13-2018, 05:02 PM

are there any aftermarket kits that integrate the back up sensors and factory amp with aftermarket stereo, I have original stereo but the led are busted, is it better to get new radio are all radios programmed just for a single car?

ctuna · 03-13-2018, 10:35 PM

They are programmed for the options you have in your car .
There are a limited number of configurations . So it could be
programmed for.
Pro Radio or Idrive
Hi Fi , logic 7 or base system.
PDC
sat radio or DAB in the Europe
SOS
Bluetooth hands free phone
Bluetooth music on models with idrive after 2010

The Dynavin and some of the Andriod Clones have PDC.
Dynavin N7 is currently the quality one of this group.
There are complications with all aftermarket head units.

Go to the stereo subforum and start looking.

03-09-2018, 08:28 PM	#1
billben New Member 3 Rep 10 Posts Drives: 325i Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Pennsylvania iTrader: (0)	Advice on radio needed? I have a 2006 325i with the usual radio display/fading pixel issue. Dealership quoted $731 to replace radio unit (part 65-12-9-130-046) and $220 for labor. I've seen the unit online as cheap as $500. Question - would you a) replace with a new radio and pay the $500, plus labor. b) replace with a used radio (I've seen them on Ebay for as low as $100 from auto salvage sellers). If I get a used, will it involve reprogramming, etc.? Is this difficult to do myself? I'm fairly handy. c) try an aftermarket radio. If so, which one? Thanks for any suggestions/advice.
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03-09-2018, 08:44 PM	#2
ctuna Lieutenant General 1921 Rep 13,122 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	You can buy a Diy kit for the LED strip for 100 bucks on ebay or send it in to one of the places that replace the LED strip for around 150 also on ebay. You may be able to reprogram a Radio with a K/D can cable in an 06 in models after 09 it requires a Icom cable . You will need to learn BMW coding to do this. see coding subforum. There are also coders that offer remote services or if you are near a metro area you may be able to find one locally. Its easier to replace the display. see the following links. This is a very common problem. Repair resources http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-C...ioQ5fVideo#ht_ http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ighlight=pixel http://www.diyparadise.net/bmw_cd73_repair.html http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1306708 http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=761513 Last edited by ctuna; 03-09-2018 at 08:58 PM..
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03-10-2018, 07:49 AM	#3
smass Lieutenant Colonel 399 Rep 1,579 Posts Drives: 06 325i - 10 335i Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Scottsdale, AZ iTrader: (1) Garage List 2010 E90 335i [0.00] 2016 F15 35i [0.00] 2003 E53 3.0 [0.00] 2006 E90 325i [0.00]	Reach out to https://www.bimmergeeks.net/ They were helpful when I put a 2011 radio in my 2006. I have also changed the screen in the older radio which does not require coding. In the end I prefer the 2011 radio because it has HD radio, faster channel changing and better screen which does not fail. 2009+ radios are a made by a different company. Removing the radio is easy. Pull up on the trim at the bottom and remove it. Remove 2 screws. Remove radio.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-10-2018, 10:34 AM	#6
ctuna Lieutenant General 1921 Rep 13,122 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	If you are going the new radio route you might try to get one with USB. Coding a new radio into an 06 can require some tricky programming. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=687463
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03-10-2018, 11:38 AM	#7
billben New Member 3 Rep 10 Posts Drives: 325i Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Pennsylvania iTrader: (0)	Thank you for your suggestions!
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03-10-2018, 03:01 PM	#9
Efthreeoh General 17428 Rep 18,801 Posts Drives: The E90 + Z4 Coupe & Z3 R'ster Join Date: May 2012 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	Okay, here's my dumb question... Can you drive the car without the radio present in the car? My thinking is, it will throw some trouble codes, so no big deal there, but my real concern is does it cause functionality with the gauge cluster, etc.? I'll probably send my radio out to get repaired, more because being an old fart, my hands aren't as steady as they used to be. I fixed my $17 headphones a few months ago and realized my previously decent soldering skills have deteriorated a bit. TIA __________________ A manual transmission can be set to "comfort", "sport", and "track" modes simply by the technique and speed at which you shift it; it doesn't need "modes", modes are for manumatics that try to behave like a real 3-pedal manual transmission. If you can money-shift it, it's a manual transmission. "Yeah, but NO ONE puts an automatic trans shift knob on a manual transmission." Last edited by Efthreeoh; 03-10-2018 at 03:09 PM..
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03-10-2018, 04:30 PM	#10
ptpending Colonel 463 Rep 2,773 Posts Drives: e91 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Poland iTrader: (1)	you can drive car without radio but if you have rear pdc, you will not get their sounds without radio __________________ E81 2007 130i 6cylinder Montego blue Retrofits: Harman Kardon, High-beam assistant, Removable tow hitch. Auto-dim folding exterior mirrors. Lumbar support. Perfomance Brakes.
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03-10-2018, 04:37 PM	#11
ctuna Lieutenant General 1921 Rep 13,122 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	You might get and SOS error to but its nothing to worry about. Be sure to write down the Radio serial number so you know you got the original back . (with the proper programming for your car in it)
	Appreciate 1 Efthreeoh17427.50 Quote

03-10-2018, 11:54 PM	#12
Bingobimmer Captain 157 Rep 637 Posts Drives: e90 n54 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: On the road... iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 E90 335i sedan [0.00]	As others have said replace leds __________________ LOST BUT NOT FORGOTTEN 2009 E90 335i AW... Black grills/jb4/lux angel eyes/clear side reflectors/and a few more small mods 2011 e92 335iSSSS Black
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03-13-2018, 05:02 PM	#13
beeman77 Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: 2006 bmw 325i Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: atwater california iTrader: (0)	are there any aftermarket kits that integrate the back up sensors and factory amp with aftermarket stereo, I have original stereo but the led are busted, is it better to get new radio are all radios programmed just for a single car?
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03-13-2018, 10:35 PM	#14
ctuna Lieutenant General 1921 Rep 13,122 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	They are programmed for the options you have in your car . There are a limited number of configurations . So it could be programmed for. Pro Radio or Idrive Hi Fi , logic 7 or base system. PDC sat radio or DAB in the Europe SOS Bluetooth hands free phone Bluetooth music on models with idrive after 2010 The Dynavin and some of the Andriod Clones have PDC. Dynavin N7 is currently the quality one of this group. There are complications with all aftermarket head units. Go to the stereo subforum and start looking.
	Appreciate 0 Quote