E60 530i Japanese to UAE Radio & Satnav conversion??

[Jondespres]

Hi,


Happy New Year!

I recently purchased a stunning 530i E60 as a Japanese import here in Dubai but am really struggling on advice on how to convert the Japanese Radio Bandwidth to here. I'm also struggling on advice to how to upgrade the SatNav software. I've been quoted by a BMW specialist in Al Quos for 3,000AED for both Radio and SatNav but am wondering if I could either do it myself, if so how or whether this is a good price?

Look forward to your advice

Cheers

Jon

[Wazif]

i think you may need to flash the idrive software and the re-install based on the region. The process , however, is something im not familiar with. maybe someone else on the forum may have some hands on experience with this....

[Vanne]

I am not sure you have to flash idrive, all the old radios had presets for region built in. you just have to find how to access the setup menu.

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I am not sure you have to flash idrive, all the old radios had presets for region built in. you just have to find how to access the setup menu.

after a bit of google..

""Here's a useful 'How to' for BMW fans:

HOW TO CHANGE JAPAN RADIOS TO NZ FREQUENCIES - WITHOUT A BAND EXPANDER

Factory fitted BMW radios from around 2000 onwards have a 'world tuner' inside them. The same radio can be used anywhere in the world.

The radio can be programmed to operate in JAPAN mode (FM = 70-90), or in OCEANIA or EUROPE mode (FM=87.5-108).
They also do a USA and CANADA mode but that's not useful here in NZ.

BMWs imported from Japan have their radios set to JAPAN mode (wonder why?)

These can be readily re-programmed to NZ frequencies as follows:

1. Switch on radio
2. Within 10 seconds, press and hold down the 'm' button until the serial number appears (takes around 10secs) to enter the radio's service menu.
3. Use the + or - buttons to cycle through the menu settings until you see AREA JAPAN or just JAPAN (varies a bit depending on radio)
4. Use the 1...6 buttons to select either OCEANIA (or OCE) or EUROPE - both are valid settings for New Zealand - see below for differences.
5. Switch radio off to store the change

Voila! Your radio has now bee reprogrammed to receive NZ FM frequencies!
Also, the cool RDS features will now be available.

Differences between OCEANIA and EUROPE modes on an E46 Business RDS radio (other radios may vary slightly):

a) EUROPE has LW, MW and FM. OCEANIA has AM and FM only.

B) OCEANIA shows ST for a FM stereo station; EUROPE doesn't show anything for stereo or mono FM stations.

c) EUROPE has the softkeys set to RDS and TP; OCEANIA has RDS and PTY

Which ever one you choose - OCEANIA or EUROPE - is up to you, they both work.


I hope you find this info useful, and that the forum moderator makes this a 'sticky'""



not my info, but there ya go

[Vanne]

On Idrive

Open Start menu
Press and hold the controller for at least 10 seconds
Move the controller 3 stops to right
Move the controller 3 stops to the left
Move the controller 1 stop to the right
Move the controller 1 stop to the left
Move the controller 1 stop to the right
Press the controller once

To exit Service mode press the menu button.

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MOST bus radio
1. The iDrive controller is used to access the service mode. 2. RDS on/off is accessed via this menu. 3. From the main menu display, press the controller down for minimum 6 seconds. 4. Turn the controller 3 increments clockwise (to the right). 5. Turn the controller 3 increments counter-clockwise (to the left). 6. Turn controller 1 increment clockwise (right). 7. Turn controller 1 increment counter-clockwise (left). 8. Turn controller 1 increment clockwise (right). 9. Push down on the controller.
10. To exit the service mode, select the return arrow at the bottom on the left of the screen.

there ya go :) piece of piss easy :)
hope that helps a bit, you need to change the region of the car, which in turn will change the radio freq..

[Vanne]

hmm, hope that helps, hopefully you can actually change the region...

[Jondespres]

Hi dude. Yeah I have the full iDrive and saw that post on google too but its not relevant to the e60, its for older models that have the standard radio. Has to be said I think i might have to take it into Munich Motor works and just pay the 3000aed for both...... grrrrr..... thanks for investigating though, if you come across anything else Im all ears.... or eyes in this case

[Vanne]

pretty sure you can change the car region with a 25 buck laptop cable from ebay, and read up on this buddy.

How to Change the Region of Your BMW

[Jondespres]

Complete legend,thanks mate. I will get a OBD cable on ebay now.

[Vanne]

no worries mate, word of caution.. make sure before you start messing about, you make a backup of all the modules, just to be on the safe side bud, so you can always go back if you stuff something up. :)

[Jondespres]

Will try. This is all very new to me. If I screw up I'll just have to pay someone to come out and fix it. Pay the 3k instead. Will let you know how it goes

[Hasan Shaikh]

You will need the INPA and NCS Expert to do this. Its risky but doable.

Make sure you have a stable version of the software and the relevant/updated daten files. If the software crashes, you will brick the entire system.

Try to contact Octane garage, one of the sponsors here, and see if they can help you.

[Paulb450]

Hi Guys

I have the same question, have an 04 E66 with a NaviJ dvd reader in the boot, need to do a hardware change to get it working outside of Japan and reading the Middle East maps.

Any ideas who can do this for me?

Cheers

Paul

[Wazif]

Drop a line to our sponsors....maybe then can help out

[clga]

Hi
Did you manage to change the regional settings ?
I am contemplating buying a Japanese import as well but hasn't been able to find anybody willing to do the job. AGMC says it is impossible....

Claus

[Mohamad ALIKO]

all you need to do to use NCSxpert to delet ,807 JAPAN VERSION from VO ,
Add , L822A GULF VERSION to VO ,
then code it to CAS & LMA ,with FA write ,
then all your radio well be up to 108, MHZ ,
if you need more INFO let me KNOW !
i can do it remotely for free if you have the software!
Or you can visit me in Abudhabi its less than 10 minutes JOB !
This applies for all cars from 2003 onwoards