Hello and a Question
 

First of all, I am new to this form. I'm excited to learn and share with everyone!

I recently purchased my first BMW - a 2005 X5 CPO 3.0 w/ sport & premium packages. So far I couldn't be happier with one exception...

Like many, the audio system has been a bit of a disappointment. A bit of background: I do not have the DSP / premium sound. I've spoken with the folks at BSW and am impressed with many of their offerings.

One concern that doesn't seem to be able to be addressed by BSW is the radio reception. The radio has TERRIBLE reception. I've never been in vehicle in downtown Atlanta and had difficulty picking up local stations! This is primarily happening on AM stations, but FM reception isn't anything to brag about. Finally to my question... Short of replacing my factory head unit (I am definately against changing the stock look), does anyone have any ways to improve my reception?

Thanks for taking the time to read all this and any responses are extremely helpful!

JDM

You have a lot of options. Check out some of these threads they should help you decide what upgrades/change you want to make. And welcome to the forums!

http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/...ctory-amp.html

http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/...6is-janix.html

http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/...id-bmw-x5.html

Yes it is terrible and dont waste money trying to make it better.

Subscribe to satellite radio and get an aftermarket shop to replace the speakers and install a sub amp.

Thanks for the response. I appreciate your efforts. I've read those posts and while very helpful, they don't really address my immediate concern.

i am definately on the same page!

in the short term, i will definately be adding xm radio (planning to hide the aftermarket antenna in the rear spoiler thanks to one of the posts here at Xoutpost!) and a dice kit for the ipod.

however, there are a few local sportstalk shows that xm won't help. if there was anyway to improve that reception, it would be a big plus!

Welcome to the forum!

Reception is not the best on the AM/FM. I am looking into this myself.

On the other hand, get an Intravee II and connect the alpine Ipod adapter and XM tuner to it. You will be alot happier with this than the Dice unit. I have tried both and the Intravee II wins hands down. The expansion capabilities of the Intravee are amazing.

JSears is selling an Intravee II w/ Ipod adapter at a fair price, check the for sale forum.

Also, install a sub/amp unit from one of the vendors or build your own unit, like Essam's Box; and replace door tweeters and you will be all good.

Good luck!

You would do better with a real radio attached to the dash with velcro, when your favorite games are broadcasting.

You could jack that radio into your real aftermarket sound system.

The stock system is a joke...when you consider the the price of the X.

AM is the worst I've ever experienced in ANY vehicle I've EVER owned. One option I've read about, is to attach a ground wire between the exhaust system and the frame/chassis. I have'nt done it yet, but like you, I need my AM for sportstalk radio and my beloved Vancouver Canucks play-by-play.

Here is something I found on the web. I don't have my X5 any longer so I cannot verify any of this...

The am antenna is located in the rear deck lid spoiler. It consists of a length of wire tapped to the inside of the spoiler. They doubled the lenght of the wire and got the highest am antenna signal strength they have ever seen. The am radio has significantly improved.

In a previous life I worked as a Tech at a AM FM broadcast station so I know a bit about how this magic works.

AM signals are vertically polorized and to get the best reception the receiving antenna should be vertically polarized as well.

In the days when auto manufacturers put metal rods on the fender and then later buried wires in the windshield glass, reception was not bad.To be most efficient the AM receiving antenna would have to be as long as the transmitting stations tower but since that is not possible the engineers get creative with coils and amplifiers.

So you may be thinking...why is FM reception a lot better? FM signals are both vertically and horizontally polarized so the BMW antenna under the spoiler should work fine. And what about the ideal length? Ideally about 3ft.

To sum it up...if the radio design is poor to start with a lousy antenna location is not going to help matters.

If the wire is under the spoiler make it longer if you can and then post the results..

Rick

thanks everyone for their input. if i'm able to make a positive difference, i will be sure to share the process!