Use BMW Cd player to replace a BM24/BM54?
 

With used prices on BM24/BM54 being so high, has anyone considered using a late model BMW CD player as a replacement? The tuner box has basically the same functions for nav audio and Aux audio, only TMC would possibly be missing.

Any thoughts?

An in-dash radio module will not work in a navigation-equipped car. The in-dash radio does not know to subordinate itself and communicate with the nav computer. It assumes that it is the center of car's audio system.

Interesting. I thought the tuner/amp simply took commands for volume, tuning and source over the ibus, whether from the steering wheel or the nav screen. The screen then also sends commands to the nav computer regarding navigation stuff over the dedicated nav bus.

Can you tell me a little more about what you know please?

Interesting, I don't think that a "normal" radio can be used as the front has all the buttons and knobs, the MFSW **may** only work the volume and switch channels etc, not sure about the rest.

Be pretty cool to try though :)

Yes, that is part of it. The radio (all versions) accept volume, tuning, source, balance, fader, etc. commands over the I-Bus. The major difference is presentation. The in-dash radio assumes it is the center of the presentation universe along with the MID. So, it does not know to send the appropriate graphical presentation signals to the nav computer. So, an in-dash radio might work, but the radio nav screen would likely be dark.

That information such as the FM frequency and track info must be on the iBus, for highline dash and MID equipped cars.

The NAV computer may get that data from the nav bus pin X18805.3. If the business CD radio has this pin it could work!

Yes, all that is on the I-Bus. The key is that I-Bus communicaions is not general broadcast. Instructions are directed to specific devices. So, most likely, the in-dash radio is not directing anything to the nav computer. Others have tried it, and it did not work. The best I can say is give it a try and see what happens.

Thanks. Usefull info. Repp'd.

@Brian-bmw: you a right, but what about using in-dash radio with navigation unit (monochrome type)?...this unit can comunicate for sure with navigation computer...also have aux in, tel in, so is better then bm24 :)

regards

Only some units have the 17 pin connector. Later models have the smaller white and blue plugs used on the LCD monitors. The only problem is that the Business nav has an LCD with menu options that do not match the layout of the BM24. So for example five clicks of the knob right and enter might take you to FM mode on the radio, but also into the entering your destination on the GPS. So you end up programming a route to 1 Apple Street, Aberdeen while trying to tune the radio to Radio 2.:rofl:

I happen to have all these parts at home so will give it a try to see what happens.

hi, if you have all parts, please make a try, i'm still searching for in-dash navigation radio...maybe will work somehow, i don't belive that twisting right knob on wide BM will send the same sequence as right knob from in-dash navigation radio...but...let's see what's happening, if this works, then we have a very cheap alternative to (very expensive) radio module...

regards

I've tried it. It behaves as I expected.

too bad...anyway, today i realized that in-dash MIR don't have "navigation audio input" so...thank you for trying anyway :)

regards

Hi
does anyone on this thread have any opinion on the "BMW Navigation BM53 BM54 Radio With single Disk MP3 Player [BMCD]" being sold at Bimmernav?

Best Sellers BMW Navigation BM54 BM53 Radio with Single Disc MP3 Player

I am looking for a cost effective replacement for a BM53 with faulty Right Channel output, and I can't see any downside to this.

It appears to work with MP3 CDC, Bluetooth,NAV and TV with the proviso that there is a single audio input for NAV & TV and the inputs need to be commoned. Everything else is reported to work.

Any comments are welcome before I take the plunge.

thanks

Nice find. Looks like they are stripping the guts out of old nav drives and replacing the lot with a Chinese sourced BMW compatible tuner and MP3 CD player. That's a lot of work for someone to have undertaken.

Would like to see some pictures of the inside to see if it's quality gear. Would also have liked them to slip a Bluetooth module into it.

Well I've taken the plunge and ordered one of these BM53/BM54 replacements and will hope for the best. Product has been shipped from Latvia.

I'll post some pics later when it arrives.

Good stuff, looking forward to the review and any internal pictures you can post :D

Good luck, I used to sell these. These are not new units. They are used parts, put together.

You will need to get wiring up to the navigation drive. Also, you will need to cut the navigation drive bracket, as the unit is too fat to fit inside it.

I repair bm53/54 units. You are better off getting yours repaired. I use more powerful amps, with a large heat sink so the amps do not overeat.

toadhall1248 any updates on this yet? Im thinking about trying to mount one in the center console. or under drivers seat.

BUMP- So any new info on this product apparently bimmernav.com does not carry the product any longer. Is there any other distributors?