RDS not working...

I have an '05 545 with basic radio. I can't seem to get RDS information to show up (or the song title, etc. like my 2000 328Ci used to). Do I need to do something differently? DC certainly has stations broadcasting the info, right?

Thanks for the help.

Originally Posted by Torch

I have an '05 545 with basic radio. I can't seem to get RDS infoormatino to show up (or the song title, etc. like my 2000 328Ci used to). Do I need to do something differently? DC certainly has stations broadcasting the info, right?

Thanks for the help.

Turn it on.

Click on a station as if your wanting to store it or change the tone settings... you will see RDS with a box to the left of it. Click on the "box RDS" when it's highlighted... and presto... you get RDS.

Originally Posted by Torch

I have an '05 545 with basic radio. I can't seem to get RDS infoormatino to show up (or the song title, etc. like my 2000 328Ci used to). Do I need to do something differently? DC certainly has stations broadcasting the info, right?

Thanks for the help.

In addition to enabling RDS as SpeedFreak! describes your car will need to have CIP 19.01 or later (not sure whether 19.0 fixed the fact that RDS didn't work). This might only apply if you have NAV however (sorry, don't remember).

I must not have the latest S/W, because the only three options I have are:

a. Store, b. Tone, and c. Scan.

With that, I do have two additional questions:

1. Will this also enable the feature that shows the group and song title?

2. How do I tell what CIP version I have?

3. Will they charge me to get the upgrade and should I do it given the other comments I've read about accceleration and active steering adjustments that I've already read on this board.

Thx.

PS. Yes, I know that there are technically FOUR questions above, but I didn't want to go change the whole email for a mere technicality!

Sounds like you don't have the latest software. As I recall the RDS enable/disable was part of the Entertainment settings in the central iDrive menu (don't know of it's still there) but now you can select RDS simply by pressing the controller when an FM station is highlighted. One of the options revealed is RDS (as SpeedFreak! described).

RDS as supported in the E60 only displays the stations call sign. Unfortunately the other information is not displayed which is a bummer since the Business Radio in my lowly M Coupe displayed all of the RDS text.

Only your dealer can tell you what CIP you have. I'm not even sure they can tell by hooking the car up to their system (I'm sure they can tell the versions of code loaded into specific subsystems because they can be done individually). A CIP version is really a package of subsystem software that is released as a unit. I don't know that the CIP version gets registered anywhere in the car.

They won't charge you for the upgrade if you have a complaint/problem that the upgrade fixes thus making it a warranty issue. Should you do it? Only if whatever issues you might be experiencing are more annoying than the possibility of a new problem being introduced (although the code gets better with each CIP version).

Originally Posted by Torch

I must not have the latest S/W, because the only three options I have are:

a. Store, b. Tone, and c. Scan.

With that, I do have two additional questions:

1. Will this also enable the feature that shows the group and song title?

2. How do I tell what CIP version I have?

3. Will they charge me to get the upgrade and should I do it given the other comments I've read about accceleration and active steering adjustments that I've already read on this board.

Thx.

PS. Yes, I know that there are technically FOUR questions above, but I didn't want to go change the whole email for a mere technicality!

My RDS displays more than just the station call sign. I also get song title and artist. But I don't have Navigation, so my RDS has worked since I took delivery back in Feb 2004...

Hello My Friends:

Perhaps the reason for the exclusion of RDS functionality is becuase of the future HDRadio BMW is employing. Who knows, they do elect yto make changes without informing us lowly consumers...

Wait! Aren't we the one's who keep them in business?

I too miss the RDS function in my (e64). Oh well...

-GMAN

No RDS in my Feb-produced 2005 545i and I do have NAV. No biggie. Dunno what s/w version I have...I forget but it ain't the latest/greatest.

Just got my 530i software upgrade to some version and RDS is working. I can see the station's call sign, artist name and song name. However, there is a limitation of the name. If the song name is too long then it get truncated.

Ching-Ho Cheng

I take back what I said, my RDS does display more than call sign, just not a whole lot more and it's definitely limited by the field size used doing a rather poor job of stuttered scrolling.

Now that is true!!!