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Discuss problems you have had or are having with your Z4
Rufus59
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Post by Rufus59 » Tue Mar 14, 2017 9:59 pm

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Last edited by Rufus59 on Wed Mar 14, 2018 10:35 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Chris_D
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Poor FM reception

Post by Chris_D » Tue Mar 14, 2017 10:09 pm

Obvious thing to do would be to start streaming radio from phone via bluetooth.
Yw :thumbsup:
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Rufus59
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Poor FM reception

Post by Rufus59 » Tue Mar 14, 2017 10:12 pm

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Last edited by Rufus59 on Wed Mar 14, 2018 10:22 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Magicarcher
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Poor FM reception

Post by Magicarcher » Tue Mar 14, 2017 10:25 pm

Is the problem all the time or under different weather conditions. I had awful radio reception on my mini (similar base design) in cold and damp weather, fine on nice dry days. Found water was getting in between the rubber seal against the body and interfering with the electronics in the antenna base.
Z4 3.0L 2005. Titan Silver. Audio Upgrade Second Stereo Pioneer X8700DAB, Sony Xplode 4 x 70W Amp, 6.5" Reckhorn Subs in rear cubby, Focal AS165-3 in fronts.

Rufus59
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Poor FM reception

Post by Rufus59 » Tue Mar 14, 2017 10:33 pm

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Last edited by Rufus59 on Wed Mar 14, 2018 10:22 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Poor FM reception

Post by Magicarcher » Tue Mar 14, 2017 10:44 pm

I am not too familiar with the Z4 antenna but if possible it would be worth checking the antenna ground gives good continuity to the bodywork. On my mini the large single nut under the antenna base has a washer with 4 paint piercing spikes. If the base is loose or has been replaced these may not give good continuity, that would give rise to poor reception and increased interference. If there is any metalwork exposed on the antenna base inside the boot you could easily check this out be running a wire directly from the battery negative (make sure its the negative!) to the antenna base temporarily to make sure you have a good earth and see if things improve.
Z4 3.0L 2005. Titan Silver. Audio Upgrade Second Stereo Pioneer X8700DAB, Sony Xplode 4 x 70W Amp, 6.5" Reckhorn Subs in rear cubby, Focal AS165-3 in fronts.

Rufus59
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Poor FM reception

Post by Rufus59 » Tue Mar 14, 2017 10:56 pm

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Last edited by Rufus59 on Wed Mar 14, 2018 10:22 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Poor FM reception

Post by Ewazix » Wed Mar 15, 2017 9:48 pm

The primary FM aerial is in the rear bumper, the whippy/stubby is selected as and when needed as backup to the main aerial, so it may be worth checking connections are all sound for the bumper unit as it's a bit vulnerable once the bumper is removed.

The system is fully explained here http://www.bmwclub.lv/files/12_E85_Communications.pdf

rear bumper removed viewtopic.php?t=77072
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Rufus59
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Poor FM reception

Post by Rufus59 » Wed Mar 15, 2017 9:57 pm

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Last edited by Rufus59 on Wed Mar 14, 2018 10:23 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Poor FM reception

Post by Magicarcher » Thu Mar 16, 2017 7:34 pm

Ewazix wrote: The system is fully explained here http://www.bmwclub.lv/files/12_E85_Communications.pdf

rear bumper removed viewtopic.php?t=77072
Thanks for this link, answered a lot of questions I had.
Z4 3.0L 2005. Titan Silver. Audio Upgrade Second Stereo Pioneer X8700DAB, Sony Xplode 4 x 70W Amp, 6.5" Reckhorn Subs in rear cubby, Focal AS165-3 in fronts.

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Poor FM reception

Post by Ewazix » Thu Mar 16, 2017 7:42 pm

Magicarcher wrote:
Ewazix wrote: The system is fully explained here http://www.bmwclub.lv/files/12_E85_Communications.pdf

rear bumper removed viewtopic.php?t=77072
Thanks for this link, answered a lot of questions I had.
No probs, that .lv web resource has a lot of good technical stuff available, providing you use the translate feature in your browser or speak Latvian :thumbsup:
2003 2.5 SE, low miles, Sterling Grey, 108's & Eagles, no stubby here! Unmolested.
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Rufus59
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Poor FM reception

Post by Rufus59 » Sat Mar 18, 2017 1:06 pm

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Last edited by Rufus59 on Wed Mar 14, 2018 10:23 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Poor FM reception

Post by Magicarcher » Sat Mar 18, 2017 7:49 pm

I will try and get a circuit diagram that I can read, the one on the PDF link above is not readable on my PC. In theory the antenna base doesn't need to be grounded to the body panel, the screened cable could be grounded at the other end instead. The key thing is the screened cable should only ever be grounded at one end. If you are able to probe with a multimeter without damaging connectors and pins it may be worthwhile checking the wing antenna amplifier is getting a 12V supply and a good ground.
Z4 3.0L 2005. Titan Silver. Audio Upgrade Second Stereo Pioneer X8700DAB, Sony Xplode 4 x 70W Amp, 6.5" Reckhorn Subs in rear cubby, Focal AS165-3 in fronts.

Rufus59
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Poor FM reception

Post by Rufus59 » Sat Mar 18, 2017 7:58 pm

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Last edited by Rufus59 on Wed Mar 14, 2018 10:23 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Rufus59
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Poor FM reception

Post by Rufus59 » Tue Mar 21, 2017 5:52 pm

Happy to report that this is now fixed. Safe to say I'm the go to guy for radio problems now :rofl:

Confirmed the unit was receiving 12v and then replaced the whole unit (including aerial base and antenna rod and amplifier). Tested by disconnecting bumper aerial and didn't lose fm reception! :D bliss!
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