Radio RDS reception

[Steve109]

Had the car for a while now and this is the first time I've really listened to the radio and am very disappointed. I have the professional system with idrive but when listening to FM channels its as if there is a really bad signal and the RDS is jumping channels but cutting out. My suspicion is a bad aerial connection but unsure. Before trotting off to the dealer has anybody else experienced issues with the RDS. Done a search but can't find a lot.

[ronk]

The Rds in my wife's 335 is tremendous. Typical digital hiss free sound.
The signal locks on and stays that way.
Used it north on the A1 and from the NE thro the Borders, and it seemed to hold a station.

[Steve109]

Yep, go to be something wrong somewhere, had better reception in 10 year old transit vans

[firebobby]

My radio on FM has poor reception, it's the business head unit and it only has about 3 decent , strong channels.

[ronk]

My radio on FM has poor reception, it's the business head unit and it only has about 3 decent , strong channels.

Which region of the UK ?

[Steve109]

I'm in Northamptonshire, FM signal in my Nissan is fine although the DAB is better

[ronk]

I think dab has improved over the last few years - I used to loose signal on the A69 in Cumbria years ago ( fm also ) but dab is good now - no loss of quality.

[ZedFourM]

Is the aerial on the E89 the same as the E85? If so, has it been replaced by a stubby? Might be worth unscrewing it and screwing it back again to see whether you get a better contact? (Apologies if the aerial system is totally different).

Also: do you have TA switched on? I've noticed on my Lexus that FM reception is often much worse with TA on. It's as if the radio is trying to switch over to Traffic Announcements that are not strong enough for it to receive (or perhaps there are pirate stations nearby broadcasting a TA signal all the time).

[dr_john]

I don't like the RDS traffic announcements, they always seem to cut in when something particularly interesting is on, and rarely if ever have any relevance to where I am or where I'm going.

I use DAB all the time (which is excellent), I don't know if you can get RDS on DAB but I wouldn't if I could

[firebobby]

My radio on FM has poor reception, it's the business head unit and it only has about 3 decent , strong channels.

Which region of the UK ?

I'm in Buckinghamshire

[ronk]

So neither in a remote area?
Ie Highlands and Islands etc.

[firebobby]

Is the aerial on the E89 the same as the E85? If so, has it been replaced by a stubby? Might be worth unscrewing it and screwing it back again to see whether you get a better contact? (Apologies if the aerial system is totally different).

Also: do you have TA switched on? I've noticed on my Lexus that FM reception is often much worse with TA on. It's as if the radio is trying to switch over to Traffic Announcements that are not strong enough for it to receive (or perhaps there are pirate stations nearby broadcasting a TA signal all the time).

My car still has the original aerial fitted, I was considering a stubby to see if it made any difference. That's interesting to know about the TA mode, I will check it out.
The signal around these parts is pretty good in all my other vehicles, so there's something amiss with the Z's sounds.

[Steve109]

Always leave the TA off its a pain, I'm on the factory aerial after removing my stubby as I thought that was the issue, but no difference. I think a dealer visit is on the cards as still under warranty. I may drive past the dealers to make sure it does it in that area first or find another dealer area where it replicates the fault or I'll get the "we couldn't find anything sir" answer. Problem is when driving along the M1 towards London it was fine, must be some strong stations in that area.

[ronk]

I base my findings an bbc R2