Home Forums Articles How To's FAQ Register
Go Back   Xoutpost.com > BMW SAV Forums > X5 (E53) Forum
Arnott
User Name
Password
Member List Premier Membership Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Xoutpost server transfer and maintenance is occurring....
Xoutpost is currently undergoing a planned server migration.... stay tuned for new developments.... sincerely, the management


Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #11  
Old 06-01-2018, 06:38 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 23
NZBM is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by Maruzo View Post
Sorry to bring up this old thread. But does the OP still have the X5? Just want to know if your BM53 is alive and well and if it could read MP3 ID tags?

I have a 2003 4.6is with BM53 and recently installed an OEM 6 cd mp3 changer. The music plays fine but no song information is available.

I don't know if there's a firmware upgrade available to enable the id tag display or if we have to change to BM54?
Yes the used BM53 is alive and well! I wouldn’t bother trying to get one repaired in future.
No mine doesn’t support MP3 ID tags, I have a BMW 6 disc changer and I also fitted an AUX input.
The BM53 units had additional options through there life- you can identify this from the build date on the sticker- it’s the code that starts with KW, then month and year.

For AUX support you want one built after Sept 2002, which you should have.
For MP3 ID support you want one built after Sept 2005.

Stick with a BM53 if you’re in the US. BM54 is the same generation of units, but set up for different market- Euro frequencies etc. BM53 supports Sirius in the US too, whatever that is?
__________________
2003 E53 3.0
2001 E46 330ci Msport
2001 E46 325i Touring wagon
Reply With Quote

Sponsored Links

  #12  
Old 06-01-2018, 06:45 PM
Maruzo's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 904
Maruzo is on a distinguished road
Thank you for the prompt reply, OP. That makes sense since my X5 is an US model! I'll stick with BM53 for sure.

I have installed the oem aux cable which works great. AUX shows up on the nav screen right after I installed the cable. This really helps a lot since I can plug in my iphone and basically get music and even navigation direction through the car's speakers.

I am using a motorola bluetooth speaker for my handsfree phone functions for now. It's a bit of a hassle but does work in a pinch.

By the way, do you know if it is possible to flush the firmware on older generation BM53 to enable the ID tag support ?

I've also been searching for ways to add tv tuner and rear view camera functionality, have you tried to install these 2 options?
__________________
2003 X5 4.6is Estoril Blue, acquired March 2018
2013 128i M Sport 6 MT Space Grey daily driver
2010 535xi 6 MT Barbera Red
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 06-01-2018, 07:09 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 23
NZBM is on a distinguished road
Yes the AUX is great, don’t use the IPhone so much for music now though, as I find it annoying no control at head unit. Happy just using the CD changer. Never thought of using it for the Nav audio though- that’s a real good idea!

No firmware update doable, you have to buy the correct BM53 unit unfortunately.

To add a tv tuner you will have to mod your existing analogue tv unit with a digital receiver. U can get them from China cheap online but make sure it’s correct frequency for your area.
An input for reverse camera can be added at same time.
There is info on this out on the net, doable if your handy with electronics, or there are companies out there that you can send your analogue tv unit to for modification.

I gave up on the idea of getting the tv and factory nav working, not worth the $$$, and my X5 is a Japanese import so the Ariel receivers etc. are different to rest of the world.
I use my IPhone for Nav.

One of them Dynavin head units would do everything you asked about, but not sure about them units.
__________________
2003 E53 3.0
2001 E46 330ci Msport
2001 E46 325i Touring wagon
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 06-04-2018, 12:26 PM
Maruzo's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 904
Maruzo is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by NZBM View Post
Yes the AUX is great, don’t use the IPhone so much for music now though, as I find it annoying no control at head unit. Happy just using the CD changer. Never thought of using it for the Nav audio though- that’s a real good idea!

No firmware update doable, you have to buy the correct BM53 unit unfortunately.

To add a tv tuner you will have to mod your existing analogue tv unit with a digital receiver. U can get them from China cheap online but make sure it’s correct frequency for your area.
An input for reverse camera can be added at same time.
There is info on this out on the net, doable if your handy with electronics, or there are companies out there that you can send your analogue tv unit to for modification.

I gave up on the idea of getting the tv and factory nav working, not worth the $$$, and my X5 is a Japanese import so the Ariel receivers etc. are different to rest of the world.
I use my IPhone for Nav.

One of them Dynavin head units would do everything you asked about, but not sure about them units.
Not sure about going to Dynavin, but it's cheap enough if it doesn't work as promised, I can always revert back to oem setup.

There's this company in UK, carphonics, that modifies the BM53/54 units with some success. They can upgrade the amp to 50 watts per channel and add functionalities such as bluetooth handsfree, streaming, and flash firmware to support sirius radio and mp3 id tag.

It's not cheap, but having better music with the oem setup is certainly pretty attractive option.

I just don't know how good their work is. I've heard of people who upgraded their BM54 with much better sound, but suffers from alternator noises.
__________________
2003 X5 4.6is Estoril Blue, acquired March 2018
2013 128i M Sport 6 MT Space Grey daily driver
2010 535xi 6 MT Barbera Red
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 06-14-2019, 11:14 AM
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: London
Posts: 46
XKaLiBaR is on a distinguished road
The only time I have noticed engine whine noise, is sometimes when the car also has an alpine amplifier upgrade.
The engine whine can happen with a stock Bm54/53 as well.

Alternator and battery can also have an influence. When the Bm54/53 is in stock form, it drains less power. With the amp kits, it uses more power.

Out of the 1000s Bm54/53 units I have done, I’ve had about 3 people with engine whine issues.
The original poster.
Someone who came back to me and we put original untouched unit in his car and still the same engine whine.
And a current one, who had the engine whine issue before sending his unit to me and still has it afterwards.

All 3 with X5s. So could be an x5, alpine amp, or some other electrical current issue somewhere else in the car.

Eventually all the Bm54/53s will be upgraded/repaired, as they all start losing channels, especially in X5s.

Any other questions do let me know.

Ps. Can upgrade the firmware on both Bm54 and bm53. Also upgrading Bluetooth ULF units to generation 13.
__________________
[email protected]

Last edited by XKaLiBaR; 06-14-2019 at 12:27 PM.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:19 AM.
vBulletin, Copyright 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd. SEO by vBSEO 3.6.0
© 2017 Xoutpost.com. All rights reserved. Xoutpost.com is a private enthusiast site not associated with BMW AG.
The BMW name, marks, M stripe logo, and Roundel logo as well as X3, X5 and X6 designations used in the pages of this Web Site are the property of BMW AG.
This web site is not sponsored or affiliated in any way with BMW AG or any of its subsidiaries.