keep us posted... :)

I found an exception to the list. My 2002 X5 3.0 d (European model) does have Xenon lights (level 5) but has what BMW calls the basic sound system (S675, i.e. 6 speakers: front & rear doors, dash tweeters)

A North American E53 would have the next level up: HiFi (S676, i.e. 10 speaker: adds rear door tweeters and front door corner tweeters and amp in the left trunk storage area) as standard.

The DSP version is a level beyond the HiFi.

As such, no wiring in the back to add a CD changer, NAV or similar or to add a Silver Line / DICE / Audiovox iPod interface. A shame but retrofit isn't work the time and expense (and I do like retrofit projects).

So my Garmin GPS on a suction cup is quite fine. One CD in the dash at a time is OK too.

interesting...

the option level list that i have is from a european source... but i know for a fact that since mid-90s the US-spec BMWs are pre-wired from the factory for the CD changer and alarm, there were little plastic "labels" in the trunk that said so.

The US specs BMW (Mercedes too) have a certain minimum level of options that considered as standard for the US market, such as power windows, sunroof... while in europe you should be able to get cloth seats, crank up windows, smaller engines, in the US the factory keeps the brand name up by not offering lower trim cars... the CD changer pre-wiring could be one of those things...

Can't speak for Mercedes, I've been doing BMW's for 25+ years. I'm OK with a basic sound system, only one issue to manage - radio display pixeling, which I've fixed.

My Euro E12 had front & rear power windows, same as my E30 touring. My E53 isn't too loaded: wood trim but cloth seats. It does have front & rear power windows, as well as Xenon headlights.

Next upgrade is UUC short shifter or leather interior, depends on Rob or two different sellers in Germany (later) ;)

I have the DSP system in my SAV and I was able to install a factory (at least it said BMW on it probably from a 3 series) CD changer in the rear. You need the coaxial cable to connect the CD player to the amp in the rear. You don't use the 6 pins plug because with the DSP system there is no 6 pins plug.

Was there different tyre monitor types for different years ?? Mines 2006 will it have rdc ???

bumping... in a mid 2004, if I have xenons, should have harness options for everything including PDC?

I am very interested in adding This & PDC. Has it been conformed possible? I miss TPMS.

You can fairly easily retrofit PDC, I did it on my 2002 X5. My car has Xenon headlights and had the provision for PDC (front sensor wiring already in the car's harness). The retrofit kit (from memory) is the same whether pre or post facelift E53. Ask more, I did a write-up to have posted, but the admin hasn't yet done so.

did anyone ever get some pics of the location of the antenea for the RDC system?? how about a photo of the module installed in position??