Why does the radio in my sisters BMW 118i SUCK so much?

[cawimmer430]

I am not an expert on radios but my main problem with it is the lack of radio stations and the piss poor reception at times. Ever since my sister got the car the radio was been literally crap. In Munich or in M?hldorf I usually only receive 3 radio stations while the rest are either static or simply not listed. I have to vent because today I only had one radio station the whole day: Bayern 3, which is the third radio station of the Bavarian state (there is also Bayern 1, Bayern 2 and Bayern 4) - and I didn't receive any others. All other frequencies were static. I played around with the AM, FM1 and FM2 settings and in both FM settings I got the same results.

Now, our E-Class on the other hand has a radio which offers you multiple radio stations, excellent reception and so forth. Even when I once visited my sister near Stuttgart with the E320 I could still listen to Bayern 3 despite being in another state. Hell, when I was in the heart of Stuttgart I still had Bayern 3 and superb reception. When I drove to Stuttgart and N?rburg with the BMW I couldn't listen to Bayern 3 anymore once I left Bavaria (literally): the reception on that station went out the window and the state radio of Baden-W?rttemberg (the state with Stuttgart as its capital) essentially replaced this radio station.

What the hell is wrong with this BMW radio? Is it the fault of the radio, the antenna or some other factor? I've driven the 118i and E320 on similar routes and the radio found in the E320 always delivers excellent reception and a healthy choice of radio stations.


So what is wrong here? 

[3.0L V6]

Is the antenna integrated into the windshield or rear glass or is it a mast antenna?

[cawimmer430]

Is the antenna integrated into the windshield or rear glass or is it a mast antenna?

It's located on the roof of the car. It's removable too. Whenever I bring the car to a car wash I have to unscrew it and store it inside the car.

[S204STi]

It would be best to compare it to another 1 series to determine whether it's normal for the vehicle line or if it's possible that your radio happens to have issues.  A mast antenna like that is the best kind, but even then it has to be tuned to a broad range of frequencies meaning that's it's a jack of all trades but master of none.

You could find out if an electronics store can get you a longer mast.

[cawimmer430]

It would be best to compare it to another 1 series to determine whether it's normal for the vehicle line or if it's possible that your radio happens to have issues.  A mast antenna like that is the best kind, but even then it has to be tuned to a broad range of frequencies meaning that's it's a jack of all trades but master of none.

You could find out if an electronics store can get you a longer mast.

Thanks for the info.  

The mast of the antenna is already quite long, but the reception in most areas is just terrible. I know a couple of 1-Series drivers but it never occurred to me to ask them if they have similar issues and the same radio as I do. Will have to do that.

It's still weird because the antenna on our E320 is on the roof and is just a little stump.

[giant_mtb]

Meh, if it's that terrible and the vehicle's still under warranty, I'd say just take it to the dealer and explain what's happening.  The worse they could say is "sorry, you're outta luck."

[cawimmer430]

Meh, if it's that terrible and the vehicle's still under warranty, I'd say just take it to the dealer and explain what's happening.  The worse they could say is "sorry, you're outta luck."

The next time I am in M?hldorf I will. I really need more radio stations! 

[S204STi]

Not totally related, but I remember having to mess around with XM satellite radio installations on Nissans where they had you install the antenna in the windshield, which is probably the worst place to put it other than under the seats or something.  Naturally people would then gripe because the entire eastern seaboard is covered in trees, and NH is in a particularly hilly region, and XM requires line of site to work properly.  So reception was awful, but there was nothing I could do about it.

[MrH]

Who wants to listen to German music anyways? 

[280Z Turbo]

Who wants to listen to German music anyways? 

Damn it.

I was just going to say that.

[cawimmer430]

Not totally related, but I remember having to mess around with XM satellite radio installations on Nissans where they had you install the antenna in the windshield, which is probably the worst place to put it other than under the seats or something.  Naturally people would then gripe because the entire eastern seaboard is covered in trees, and NH is in a particularly hilly region, and XM requires line of site to work properly.  So reception was awful, but there was nothing I could do about it.

My parents used to have a Ford Telstar in the Philippines. It looked exactly like the one below in the photo except it was brown and didn't have the antenna where this Telstar has it. It was located inside the trunk, under the lid. I've always thought this was "WEIRD".

[cawimmer430]

Who wants to listen to German music anyways? 

I don't listen to any modern German music, thank the Lord! I only listen to 80s (and some 80s German music) and Bayern 3 plays a lot of 80s. 

[280Z Turbo]

I picture Wimmer driving along listening to this on a constant loop:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQYQTFudrqc

[AutobahnSHO]

I picture Wimmer driving along listening to this on a constant loop:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQYQTFudrqc

They only export the more "normal" sounding stuff.   
You should hear the stuff that DOESN'T get popular elsewhere....

[Danish]

I picture Wimmer driving along listening to this on a constant loop:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQYQTFudrqc

Or this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zXiClnK8oE

[Rupert]

Literally crap, eh, Wimmer? That's definitely something covered under the warranty.

[93JC]

Or this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zXiClnK8oE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U990QFyvN3M



(and yes I know he was Austrian)

[93JC]

Speaking of "Rock Me, Amadeus", I almost forgot about this commercial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZedRNg9kO-o

I imagine this is how all Germans drive: around a track bobbing their heads to Falco.

[Tave]

You disassemble your radio antenna at the carwash?

[omicron]

European cars have never had particularly good radio reception down under, especially with AM radio. I had this discussion a few months back at work with a customer, and I'm told his current-model Statesman could pick up an AM broadcast from Auckland when the car was in Geelong - a good 2700km/1677 miles away. Even the Lexcen can pick up the odd station from Melbourne (700km/435 miles away) given favourable weather conditions.

[Raza]

You disassemble your radio antenna at the carwash?

Many people do.  The carwash people always unscrewed mine when I had my Passat, because I'd always forget.

[cawimmer430]

I picture Wimmer driving along listening to this on a constant loop:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQYQTFudrqc

This video contains content from Sony Music Entertainment and Warner Bros. Entertainment. It is no longer available in your country.




What song was it?

[cawimmer430]

Or this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zXiClnK8oE

What a masterpiece! We love the Hoff!!!! 

[cawimmer430]

Literally crap, eh, Wimmer? That's definitely something covered under the warranty.

I'm going to ask my fellow 1-Series drivers on Germancarzone.com if they have similar problems. Sucks that most of them live in Sweden and the UK so things might be different there...

[cawimmer430]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U990QFyvN3M



(and yes I know he was Austrian)

Falco was awesome. 

[cawimmer430]

You disassemble your radio antenna at the carwash?

I don't "disassemble" the antenna, I unscrew it because otherwise the car wash brushes etc. would destroy it. This is a BMW 1-Series antenna below.

[S204STi]

Wimmer, what's the German interpretation of, "Unscrew my antenna?"

[MX793]

You disassemble your radio antenna at the carwash?

It's recommended that you take the antenna off before entering an automated car wash (except for the touchless ones) or the brushes will rip it off.  If you have an automatic retractable antenna, you should shut the stereo off so it retracts.

[Byteme]

I don't listen to any modern German music, thank the Lord! I only listen to 80s (and some 80s German music) and Bayern 3 plays a lot of 80s. 

The 80's sucked, music wise.   

[cawimmer430]

Wimmer, what's the German interpretation of, "Unscrew my antenna?"

Ah, this is going in the direction of sexual slang, eh?