On the euro spec BMW radio module there is a TMC option, which I think stands for Traffic Management Channel. Unfortunately for us here in the U.S. of A they havn't yet deployed TMC transmitters, so I don't think the traffic setting will be of any use to you for the indefinate future :tsk:

On another note, relative to the original topic that this thread was started on, for some strange reason for the past month my radio has started having these same delays when I have RDS enabled. Very strange....

I've had RDS enabled and I know there is a noticeable delay.
I can't figure out how to turn off RDS :(

If you have nav then you hit the "Info" button and there should be a selection there to turn it on and off

I tried that.. :)
It just stays checked.
Not a big deal anymore to me, I just got an iPod with an FM output.

I don’t get a delay in receiving a station but if I quickly surf stations with the steering wheel buttons & RDS enabled, I’ll get one of the station’s information “locked” on the display yet the radio station channels will change. :confused: Using the channel buttons on the radio “unlocks” the display. None of this happens when I surf with the channel buttons on the radio or turn off RDS. :dunno:

I know this is an old thread, but I thought I'd bring it back since I solved the problem in my case.

I just purchased a 2002 X5 3.0 (with Nav, no DSP) this week which had the problem of a several second delay when tuning to stations via the presets with RDS enabled. What was strange was that I could not bring up the option to disable the RDS on the radio. Looking through my car's repair history, I saw that the radio tuner had been replaced under warranty. Then, further searching indicated a bulletin from BMW regarding this issue. The bulletin stated that the radio is coded improperly and should be replaced.

Well, instead of replacing the radio, I recoded it (yes, I have the tools to do so :) ). That completely fixed the problem. Tuning to preset stations no longer has any delay.

Hope this helps,