Early production MK4 can't read DVDs

makatech · #1 08-04-2010, 08:03 AM

I have a BMW 540iA (E39) limo 2003 (production 2002-10), i bought this just a month ago. It's an import from Germany.

I'm pretty sure my car has the MK4 unit. It look exactly like MK4 on the description pages. This should be an early production MK4 unit though. The first MK4s were installed in September, October 2002 I believe?

My car had the "Digital Road Map Germany 2003-1" CD installed (Navteq). My navigation system has been working fine with this CD but now I want updated map information.

I got a new original DVD Road Map Europe High 2010 but my MK4 can't read it. I get error message like can't find cd... read error. A couple of times also "Please wait..." messages but nothing has happened.

First my system had version v21 (4-1/12). Then I first updated this to v27 and then v32. No error messages, everything went perfect.

But my MK4 hasn't been able to ready DVDs in any of these versions.

I have also tried burning a single layer DVD (TDK DVD-R and Verbatim DVD+R using imgburn and ultraiso). My MK4 can't read these either.

I have tried the old "Digital Road Map Germany 2003-1" CD and it's still working fine.

Is this the next step for me? (Changing laser unit)
http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/all...-nav-unit.html

I'm a little bit worried that my early production MK4 unit may differ, how can I check it's a "real" MK4?

Trying a different software? Perhaps v29, v30 or v31?

Advices would be highly appreciated.

Brian-bmw · #2 08-04-2010, 08:50 AM

I suspect that you have a bad laser. There is probably a reason that the previous owner had the CD map instead of the DVD map when you bought the car-- the car would have originally come with the DVD-based map disk.

Your OS version confirms that it is a MKIV. Plus, the fact that you updated it to 4-1/00 further confirms it is generally functioning well and has the OS updates it needs to read the newer dual-layer DVDs.

I am not aware of any hardware differences from the earliest to the latest MKIV nav computers. (There may be some, but they are probably not significant.)

big bob · #3 08-04-2010, 10:16 AM

There is a good guide on here for replacing lasers and DVD drives, as this is a fairly common fault.

makatech · #4 08-04-2010, 12:24 PM

Thanks for your replies.

Today I downloaded the swedish cd from the "Navteq Europe - VDO Dayton 9 CDs v.2009 - 2010" package. It works perfect in my MK4. So at least I have a fairly updated map for my home country right now. I'm not sure what features I'm lacking comparing to the "DVD Road Map Europe High 2010" DVD" except from the fact that the DVD is covering whole Europe.

I did order a new laser unit though from Grandata Grandata Online
so I will most probably try the DIY for changing laser unit later.

/Mats