New OEM Changer Does Play MP3, but...

[Dixie]

Hi everyone - just signed up after lurking in the Forum for a few months after taking delivery of my UK X5 (3.0D) in September.

Noticed a few posts on the lack of MP3 capability in the OEM CD Changer, so I thought my experience would be useful.

My dealer had promised me that the CD Changer, just like the head unit would play MP3/WMA files. However, when it arrived, the head unit did indeed play MP3s, but the changer didn't.

After a little to-ing and fro-ing, it appears that X5s built after Week 40 (2005) were supplied with CD Changers that played MP3s/WMAs and after a long delay (they're like gold dust), the dealer finally got hold of one for me and swapped it last week.

However, those who also want a swap, beware. It may not work as you expect - here's what happens to my Changer:

I have a MP3/WMA data disc with 20 Albums in 20 folders containing 243 tracks.

In the head unit when playing the first track of the first album (folder), the head unit says: TR01-001 as per the attached picture. To move to the last track on the last album you simply press the "m" button and then the up track button on the head unit 14 times and then move to the last track by releasing the "m" button. Therefore when playing the 12th track of the 20th Album, the display reads TR20-012.

In the new changer, the display when playing the first track simply says: TR01 as in the attached picture. To play the last track, (the "m" button doesn't work as it thinks there are no folders), you have to press the up track button 243 times! (A bit of a pain when driving). The display then reads TR43 as you go through TR01-TR99 twice. Therefore when the display reads TR01, it could be track 01, 101 or 201!

This seems bizarre - the head unit is obviously capable of reading Folders and Tracks but the Changer isn't. Is there anything anyone knows I can do to put this right? Or is there a CD Changer out there that is compatible with the BMW head unit and can show folders as well as tracks.

Cheers everyone...