Is there a way to improve the radio reception?

[bmwclubracer]

Hey guys, just bought a 2007 3.0si Montego Blue and it's exceeded my expectations so far.

But the radio is really bad, unusable most of the time. It's the factory Business CD and the original antennae is there off the left rear fender. Should I remove the unit to see if the antennae is connected or is this a known issue with a fix? I guess the alternative is to use the aux and iheartradio but I'd rather not do that.

Thanks!

[Punisher3.0si]

It's known to not be the best. I just use the aux port and YouTube myself so it's no big deal to me.

[Huz-Z]

I have a twin of your car, albeit a 2006, and I don't have any issue with the radio at all.

[Hawkeye]

Huz is also in Canadia so there is nothing to get in the way of radio waves except especially tall moose and the occasional Mounty.

The business radio has always had horrible reception for me as well so I said screw it and use a stubby and AUX cord.

[StickMon]

Have you tried this?
It says it has FM BOOSTER.

[dc_wright]

Originally Posted by Huz-Z

I have a twin of your car, albeit a 2006, and I don't have any issue with the radio at all.

I have the same except Ti Silver. Radio reception has been excellent.

You're car has two antennas, the rod antenna on the fender and the flexible dipole hidden behind the rear bumper cover. There's an amplifier that combines the signal from the two antennas (see diagram) and if there's an issue with the amp, the ground for it or the power for it, it will definitely affect your radio reception because that will affect both antennas.

http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/E8...nna_diversity/

There's also an amp for the rod antenna, but I'd say that's less suspect. because of the antenna diversity (two antennas) you typically have to have something wrong with both antennas before you know there's an issue.

http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/E8...rt_rod_antenna

[SaltyNC]

Originally Posted by StickMon

Have you tried this?
It says it has FM BOOSTER.

Dude! But, there is a debate on whether we should use FM Booster in our cars.

Salty

[SaltyNC]

Originally Posted by dc_wright

I have the same except Ti Silver. Radio reception has been excellent.

My radio reception has always been excellent, as well, even with a stubby antenna. Quite a few people have complained of poor reception over the years, and DC Wright is probably onto something here.

Salty

[bmwclubracer]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye

Huz is also in Canadia so there is nothing to get in the way of radio waves except especially tall moose and the occasional Mounty.

Huh, thought I was the only one to call it Canadia. Best part is I'm corrected sometimes and depending upon my mood my response will be either, 'Really?', 'Uhm, your wrong...it's Canadia', or 'Yeah, I know'. My 2 year old's favorite place to go was 'Chagganooga' and I still call it that.

I already use SXM on my truck so I'm going to see if I can get the app on my phone and I'll use the Aux cord. I'd probably migrate to that eventually anyway since I can't stand commercials.

[bmwclubracer]

I just got the 6 month SXM all access for $56 incl fees...not bad! I'll have it in my Z and otherwise my daughter can use it. You can call 888-601-6302, just tell the rep you want the price I got or you'll cancel and she'll go right to it. Gives you radio in your car and one person can use the streaming service at a time.

[Huz-Z]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye

Huz is also in Canadia so there is nothing to get in the way of radio waves except especially tall moose and the occasional Mounty.

The business radio has always had horrible reception for me as well so I said screw it and use a stubby and AUX cord.

Some Canadia-ians messing up the airwaves:

[Boosted 1]

Originally Posted by bmwclubracer

Huh, thought I was the only one to call it Canadia. Best part is I'm corrected sometimes and depending upon my mood my response will be either, 'Really?', 'Uhm, your wrong...it's Canadia', or 'Yeah, I know'. My 2 year old's favorite place to go was 'Chagganooga' and I still call it that.

I already use SXM on my truck so I'm going to see if I can get the app on my phone and I'll use the Aux cord. I'd probably migrate to that eventually anyway since I can't stand commercials.

I call it it Canadia as well. It wasn't until y'alls post did I realize I read it to myself that way without even thinking.


I have a stubby antenna also and have never had any reception issues. My wifes e90 radio SUCKS!!!!

[StickMon]

Originally Posted by bmwclubracer

I just got the 6 month SXM all access for $56 incl fees...not bad! ...

^This. I have an XM "Roadie". The whole kit is about $25 on eBay.
30 presets. Home and car dock. Service is about the same as Netflix.
Mounted it on vent. Wires run through vent, out of sight. Audio plugged into aux.
Bring it in the house at night and dock it in the Belkin dock on my nightstand.
2 uses on one fee.
When I'm not listening to XM I'm on AM talk (yea, I'm one of those Ditto Heads). Never tried the FM, so I don't even know if it works.

[WickedNy]

Wireless Bluetooth player plugged into aux, Spotify, radio problem solved

[bmwclubracer]

New issue...the Aux is unusable, tons of static and need to turn radio up to hear anything. I've tried to finesse the cable in the jack and nothing helps. Should I try a different cable? The one I'm using has worked in other applications and has no obvious damage.