BMW Information | BMW Radio Service Mode Settings

Procedures for accessing BMW radio service-mode settings for making base radio adjustments or for visual checks. These are often used in the factory/dealership for the initial setup for the vehicles locale. Radio settings will vary between models and this list may not cover all available BMW media devices. Play with these at your own risk.

BMW uses several different manufacturers of radios. The most common are: Alpine, Pioneer and Blaupunkt. On earlier vehicles Bavaria, Becker and Phillips were used.

The manufacturer and date of production is located on a label on the radio chassis (removal of radio required).

e46 CD-Business Radio service mode screen

The "matrix-test" service mode on an e46 Business CD Radio (CD53)

BMW Vehicles - Pre 09/2001

Radio Type: Alpine I-Bus

Found on vehicle: E36: 3-Series from 09/1996

1. Ignition key into Position 1.

2. Turn the radio OFF and ON again.

3. Press and hold the "m" button for 5 seconds.

4. Turn radio OFF to exit the Service Function.

 

Radio Type: Blaupunkt Radio CD43

Found on vehicle: E36/7: Z3

1. Ignition key into Position 1.

2. Turn the radio OFF and ON again.

3. Press and hold the "m" button for 5 seconds.

4. Turn radio OFF to deactivate Service Functions.

 

BMW Vehicles - Post 09/2001

Radio Type: Professional Radio - Rad2

Found on vehicle: E90: 3-Series

1. Ignition key into Position 1.

2. Switch ON radio.

3. Within 8 seconds, press and hold the "m" button for at least 8 seconds.

4. The various menus can now be selected in settings mode.

5. Switch OFF the radio to exit service mode.

 

Radio Type: C53/CD53 with or without multi-information display

Found on vehicle: E39: 5-Series, E46: 3-Series, E53: X5, E83: X3, E85: Z4

Without navigation system

1. Ignition key into Position 1.

2. Turn radio ON.

3. Within 8 seconds, press and hold the 'M' button for around 8 seconds.

4. Scroll through functions using the '+' and '-' keys or the "< >" buttons.

5. Turn radio OFF to leave the service mode.

 

Radio Type: BM53 with small screen Board Monitor

Found on vehicle: E39: 5-Series, E46: 3-Series, E53: X5, E38: 7-series

With navigation system

1. Ignition key into Position 1.

2. Turn radio ON.

3. Press and hold the "RDS' button for at least 8 seconds.

4. Scroll through the functions using the "< >" buttons.

5. Turn radio OFF to leave the service mode.

 

Radio Type: BM53 with Widescreen Monitor PRIOR to 9/01

Found on vehicle: E39: 5-Series, E46: 3-Series, E53: X5, E38: 7-series

With navigation system

1. Ignition key into Position 1.

2. Turn radio ON.

3. Within 8 seconds, press the 'INFO' button.

4. From the Info screen, select RDS (choose PTY on E38).

5. Press and hold the BM control knob (right side knob) for at least 8 seconds.

6. Scroll through functions using the station search buttons "< >".

7. Turn radio OFF to leave the service mode.

 

Radio Type: BM53 with Widescreen Monitor 09/01 up to 03/02

Found on vehicle: E39: 5-Series, E46: 3-Series, E53: X5

With navigation system

1. Ignition key into Position 1.

2. Turn radio ON.

3. Immediately press and hold the 'Select' button for at least 8 seconds. The screen will switch to Service Mode.

4. The screen will now show the serial number of the radio.

5. Use the "< >" buttons to select the desired service function.

6. Selections for the desired service function can be made by using the radio station preset buttons #1-6.

7. Turn radio off to leave the radio service mode.

Notes:

When selecting the country AREA, push the station preset #1 repeatedly until AREA USA is shown on the screen.

When selecting the GAL level, use station presets #1-6 to select level.

To turn off/on the RDS function on this radio, push the 'INFO' button and select RDS off/on.

 

Radio Type: C53 MIR radio

Found on vehicle: E52: Z8

With navigation system

1. Ignition key into Position 1.

2. To access service mode normally, first turn radio ON.

3. Turn radio OFF.

4. Turn radio ON.

5. Press and hold the 'SEL' key for 8 seconds until the service mode is entered.

6. Use the "< >" buttons to scroll until you see area.

7. Use the preset buttons #1-6 to change the area.

8. Turn OFF to end the radio settings service mode.

Notes:

After replacing the MIR on an E52, the replacement radio does not require coding. When the radio is first switched on, it automatically enters an initial Service Mode ('No Area" is displayed). Repeatedly press the '1' button until US Area is reached and turn the radio off. The normal Service mode can't be entered until this is performed.

Radio Type: CID radio

Found on vehicle: E83: X3, E85: Z4

With navigation system

1. Ignition key into Position 1.

2. Turn radio ON.

3. Press the 'SEL' button immediately and hold for at least 8 seconds.

4. Scroll through functions using the '+' and '-' keys or the station search buttons "< >".

5. Switch OFF the radio to exit the service mode.

 

Radio Type: MOST bus radio types

Found on vehicle: E65: 7-Series

With navigation system

1. Ignition key into Position 1.

2. From the main menu display, press the controller down for minimum of 6 seconds.

3. Turn the controller 3 increments clockwise (to the right).

4. Turn the controller 3 increments counter-clockwise (to the left).

5. Turn controller 1 increment clockwise (right).

6. Turn controller 1 increment counter-clockwise (left).

7. Turn controller 1 increment clockwise (right).

8. Push down on the controller.

9. To exit the service mode, select the return arrow at the bottom on the left of the screen.

Notes:

The iDrive controller is used to access the service mode.

RDS on/off is accessed via this menu.

 

Description of Settings Functions

These functions will vary between models.

AF - Alternative-frequency radio setting which automatically finds and switches to a stronger station signal. (off, Auto, Autonopi, Man. Not used for USA broadcasts)

AM or FM - Selector for frequency and field strength for current signal.

ANT - Aerial selection options - ANT1 = FM1 aerial, ANT2 = FM2 aerial, ANT3 = FM3 aerial, ANT4 = FM1 and FM2 aerials, AUTO = Automatic selection of FM aerial with best reception.

Area - Used to select the appropriate market (country) setting (USA, Canada, Europe, Japan or Oceania).

Display check - Simple output display check.

DSP (Digital Sound Processor) - This function provides information about whether or not the vehicle is fitted with DSP. (1=Yes, 0=NO)

Field Strength & Quality (F/Q) - The station currently displayed can be assessed for field strength and quality. An 'F' number (i.e. 1-15) is used to indicate the strength of the signal being received by the radio. A high 'F' number indicates a strong signal. A 'Q' number (i.e. 1-15) is used to determine the quality of the radio station broadcast including both the audio and RDS signal if applicable.

GAL - Speed sensitive volume control. The speed sensitive volume control can be adjusted from level 1-6 using the 6 preset audio buttons. Radio volume increases more at level 6 and less at level 1 (road speed dependent). Vehicles equipped with DSP do not use this feature.

Index/Revision Index - Displays the revision index.

Key memory - Switch car and key functions on and off.

NAV/NAV-Min - Navigation volume control setting

RI - (possible) revision index.

Serial Number - Displays the radio serial number.

SN - Serial number of the radio.

Software Version - Displays the radio software version in format [Calendar week/Year/Version].

SV - Firmware version and production date - in week-year format.

TP Volume (Traffic Patrol) - Provides adjustment for traffic report minimum value. On some vehicles this setting can affect the NAV volume.

TP-V - Traffic information setting, minimum volume. Setting range: -9 to +9.

Type - Display the radio type.

#### ##### - Simple visual display matrix/pixel test.

 

 

References

1. BMW Technical Service bulletin: SI B 650704.

2. BMW Service Engineering bulletin: SI B65 28 03.

3. NG "New Generation" radios bulletin.

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