which radios put text in the the speedo display

[billy]

just a quick check, does anyone have the radio unit that tells you what station you are on, on your speedo check control
some early units did, what models were they, does anyone know?

billy

[liquidtiger720]

Most stock units have that don't they?

[BMWCCA1]

Nope, it was a late feature and I'm not even sure it was earlier than the 1995 model year. I just don't remember when it began. I suspect you'd at least have to have the phone-book lookup version controls, as a guess.

[TC535i]

I dunno if my 95 has it... if E34 had it, it should. (11/95 production date)

I'm having an issue with my OBC/cluster readout tho, see my other thread...

[Russell]

my 95 has it, nice feature. One reason I may not change the head unit. It also sounds fine to my "older" ears. I sure would like an aux input for whatever is the "current" other input of the day.

[billy]

my 95 has it, nice feature. One reason I may not change the head unit. It also sounds fine to my "older" ears. I sure would like an aux input for whatever is the "current" other input of the day.

and what make/model is that Russell?

[KenB]

I believe this feature started in the '94 model year (an e34 I test drove when I bought my car had it), my '93 does not have it.

[cmk]

I have it in mine.
I also have the stalk for phone directory control/display.

According to the radio manual it is for 1991+ (e34) cars.
The back of the manual has a sticker with the following part #'s:
88 88 1 600 235 / 275 (Radio)
82 11 1 467 056 (Radio)
82 11 1 467 058 (Manual)
Inside they talk about the optional trunk mounted CD changer:
82 11 1 467 693
(however there are/were 2 models available: pioneer and alpine, i don't know which the above part # is for, maybe neither ?).

Strangely i couldn't find any of these #s on realoem.
Nor could i find _any_ e34 radios for USA vehicles on realoem.

[Russell]

want adapter with aux input to add to my stock OE radio. I think there are several non OE head units that accept aux input. Check archive or soemone line Crutchfield. I hope this is what you meant.

[Russell]

realoem has the changers somewhere. try name search or part number search. I could not find radios either when i searched.

[bbig119]

I've got this feature on my car- 9/93 540. The station number shows up in dash LED panel.

[cmk]

Yes, i found the changers, it was the radios i was unable to find.

But, the part number for the changer in the manual does not match any of the changers i found on realoem.

[BMWCCA1]

That's because all radios and changers of that vintage were U.S.-spec only and not used anywhere else. That's why they only tune stations on the odd decimal, not the even. Tourist delivery cars were driven in Europe on European radios and swapped out before being delivered to the customer stateside.

[ryan roopnarine]

if you are referring to the station frequency and the FM designation and preset number showing up in the cluster, my 7/91 525i has it.

[DaveVoorhis]

if you are referring to the station frequency and the FM designation and preset number showing up in the cluster, my 7/91 525i has it.
Which radio do you have? Is there a way to turn the display on and off? Maybe I've got it and don't know it.

[ryan roopnarine]

Which radio do you have? Is there a way to turn the display on and off? Maybe I've got it and don't know it.

the absolute certain way involves you getting in your car, putting your car in accessory ignition position, and start pressing station presets. if you have a fault code in the cluster, like "wiper fluid low" or such, the radio won't show up. if you have no faults, and you are driving along, pressing the preset buttons, the frequency should show up in the dash.

[Russell]

Alpine 5 in my 95. Activate/cycle though dash display of OBC by pushing in on the left stalk. Also when you change radio channel or CD it auto displays briefly as well. This info should be in your owner's manual package. at least I think it is.

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

the 94 has Pioneer 4 and the 90 has the KE83zbm

[DaveVoorhis]

Tried it, but no go. Sucks.

[markus]

mine is a 94, 7/93 build date and i dont have it.. stock radio and cd changer too.

[AeroSmooth]

Anyone know whether you can set up a new radio head unit to display in the instrument cluster like this? I don't want to get rid of my old radio because I have this feature. Javier, any electrical diagrams that would answer this for me?

[dennyg]

This is not quite on the same topic but my 89 535 used to chime in one minute before each hour. So annoying I am glad it stopped. It also chimes in when temperature is 38 degrees. My e39 does the same. What is the purpose of this? Very strange that it happens in both of my bimmers...

[t.wak]

The chime at lower temperatures is supposed to remind you to drive carefully to watch for ice and snow on the road

[BMWCCA1]

This is not quite on the same topic but my 89 535 used to chime in one minute before each hour. So annoying I am glad it stopped. It also chimes in when temperature is 38 degrees. My e39 does the same. What is the purpose of this? Very strange that it happens in both of my bimmers...Not strange at all. The hourly alert is user-selectable on the OBC or multi-function clock, on all models. RTFM!
Temp alert is to warn of possible ice conditions on the road surface and is not user-selectable.

[Russell]

Read the manuals,then set your options. Does anyone ever read their manual? :)

[dennyg]

Guess if I was interested in my car telling me the time I would look up the information in the manual. I don't need a car to sense my sneeze and tell me to blow my nose. Maybe the engineers could find something better to do. Like better use of space for the arm rest phone slot on the E39 console. Or those dump cup holders that get in the way of driving and break too easily. I am easily pleased. I don't need stop watches or average speed modes .......I'd buy a lexus if I wanted the car to park or drive me.

[BMWCCA1]

Guess if I was interested in my car telling me the time I would look up the information in the manual. I don't need a car to sense my sneeze and tell me to blow my nose. Maybe that's why they gave you the option. If you do nothing, no hourly beep. If you activate it, it beeps. You activated it, probably by accident. Don't condemn the car because it offers options you don't want or don't know how to use. Just learn how to operate it and make it work the way you want. Don't ever buy an E60 if you don't want these decisions made for you!

[TC535i]

So I get in the car and start it up, and I notice "SIDE 1" on the display cluster... and the tape adaptor for my MP3 was in the deck!

Guess this thing does read out...!

[billy]

So I get in the car and start it up, and I notice "SIDE 1" on the display cluster... and the tape adaptor for my MP3 was in the deck!

Guess this thing does read out...!

so which model do you have?

[Scott C]

My 95 525i has this feature, it is kind of nice...

[colo525i]

Odd that i don't seem to have this on my 1/92 build 525i with factory radio.

[Denton]

My Alpine 5 does it, and it's a nice feature.

Which gets me to asking: Is it worth it to scrap the Alpine 5? I also have the trunk CD changer, but am irked that it doesn't play MP3s. The sound quality is terrible, but I suspect new speakers would remedy that a fair bit.

Any aftermarket HUs display text in the instrument cluster display? CD43?

[billy]

anyone have a bmw radio that outputs text to speedo?

[Russell]

my alpine 5 FM sounds fine. However, the BMW/Pioneer cd changer sound is better than FM. If you have the BMW Alpine changer, that could be the sound issue. It is aknowledged to be inferior to the Pioneer.

I am not aware of any aftermarket head units that display text in the instrument panel. In fact i am not sure any of the newer BMW head uints with CD capability display text on our e34s??

[Russell]

95 alpine 5 does. It briefly displays radio station and cd/tract as they are changing. Then goes back to your OBC selection.

[Ross]

My '95 also has that feature. 7/95 build

[dennyg]

Maybe that's why they gave you the option. If you do nothing, no hourly beep. If you activate it, it beeps. You activated it, probably by accident. Don't condemn the car because it offers options you don't want or don't know how to use. Just learn how to operate it and make it work the way you want. Don't ever buy an E60 if you don't want these decisions made for you!


Your right .....guess i was just reacting top read the f manual. I just bought the bentley for it and am going through the car replacing all the worn out suspension bushings and havent had time to learn all the settings yet. Just set the clock from daylight savings and thats it. Love the car. after suspension fixes this thing is tight. Wish I had DSC cause the rear end lets loose too easy on hard acceleration. E60 is a 3series?

[Paul in NZ]

e60 is the current model 5 series...I drive controls just about everything,apparently not user friendly.,although one bmw saleman challenged me to use the navigation system...i had it set to my street in about 1 minute.Seriusly read your manual,you will find many more features your car has,which of course you may or may not use.