.

Obvious thing to do would be to start streaming radio from phone via bluetooth.
Yw :thumbsup:
 
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.
 
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.
 
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 http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=77072
 
Ewazix said:
The system is fully explained here http://www.bmwclub.lv/files/12_E85_Communications.pdf

rear bumper removed http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=77072
Click to expand...

Thanks for this link, answered a lot of questions I had.
 
Magicarcher said:
Ewazix said:
The system is fully explained here http://www.bmwclub.lv/files/12_E85_Communications.pdf

rear bumper removed http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=77072
Click to expand...

Thanks for this link, answered a lot of questions I had.
Click to expand...

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:
 
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.
 
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!
 
Marc-j said:
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!
Click to expand...

So radio guru :bow: :bow:
How much was whole unit and where does it sit, is it the same on the e85 ??
 
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