I read somewhere that you can use CD players from newer 3 series, but I'm not sure which ones. You'll have to verify it. If you can't fix it yourself I don't thing it's worth paying for repair, especially when it is a tape player. You can buy them cheap on ebay. If not wait few more weeks, I gonna be getting a new radio soon, and I don't need another dust collector. I'm trying to get JVC Arsenal Series KD-AR5000. I think that is the only CD player in the market right now that looks good in BMW's. How about you guys/gals what are you using?