Original Factory Installed Radio/Cassette

[Tyronne]

The audio is intermittent in my '89 525i. The right rear speaker, especially, goes on/off.

I can jiggle the volume knob through audio static and get it just about right. But over a bump, or sometimes out of nowhere, still can lose that right rear audio channel.

At one time I used some tuner cleaner on the volume pot, but it didn't seem to make a difference one way or the other.

Any suggestions? Also, if it is necessary to replace the unit, give me your best recommendation on a CD player/Satelittle Ready radio for either Sirius and/or XM as well as standard FM/AM?

[Steve_Stafford]

Can't help you because I'm in a similar boat... I've got a 1990 525i that has a bum radio, cassette functions are fried. I'd like to replace it but the various shops all tell me I need to rewire the car in order to put something else in. Sounds fishy though I'm willing to accept the 15 year difference in technology might factor in? I've installed new radio/cd equipment in 3 series cars myself in the past without problems but these shops are telling me the 5 is a different animal. This is my first 5er so I'm a newbie (past were 325is, 325i and 320/6 gray market)

I'd love to hear from someone who's been there done that in order to go down the right road first??

Thanks in advance!!

Steve

[BradHouser]

I have replaced the radio on my '89 E34. The early E34s had separate connectors for speakers and power. The newer ones have an all in one connector. (http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/Upgrade/Stereo_radio.htm)

Any radio that has four speakers, switched and unswitched power, and an antenna power output line (to turn on the amp) can be interfaced. The key is that you can't use line level outputs, you must use powered speaker outputs to act as inputs to the amp. This can easily overload the amp, so a high power head unit is not required. I guess they did this so that they could offer the same radio in amplified and non-amplified configurations. (There are several shown on the ETK.) The alternative is to rewire all the speakers with a line level amp and crossovers.

Brad Houser

[Cambridge]

Radio Harness Pinouts (http://www.cambridgebrands.com/1995-540i-cd-changer/index.php)