I'm debating.....

[ths916m3]

Okay, I am a person that loves my car and I love to listen to music in my car. Problem is, I have always had bad radio reception in my car, couldnt get any local channels. I have checked the antenna "amp" on the C pillar, checked all the wiring, I also got an aftermarket "hotrod" amplified antenna which is mounted on the inside of my windshield. Reception was much better but still has problems getting a few local stations clearly.

So here is what I'm debating and this is something that I have been thinking of long and hard.....long and hard Anyways, I was contemplating getting an E30 M3 antenna and mounting it to my roof...it does require drilling a 1/2 or so hole. I dont want to have to do it and really dont want to, but I'm running out of ideas dammit. I'm losing hair gosh darnit.

[99MPower]

hmm... any other options??

something is not right.. I would check out the antenna connection behind the stereo deck in the dash

[vfr-rich]

1.) Is this a stock radio?

2.) Did you check that the antenna amp is actually getting 12V? Is the radio putting out 12V on pin 16?

3.) Have you checked by trying another radio? I'm sure that there are some local guys that have a stock radio sitting around that they'd let you use... I do..lol

The stock BMW radio wasn't bad from a reception standpoint, In fact mine was quite good. It just sucks from a sound quality standpoint.

[PurduinaM3]

My radio reception has always sucked, so if you ever figure it out post up and let me know.

[Danios]

How about Sirius? Not the ideal solution but seems better than drilling a hole in your roof. I have my sat radio antenna mounted on my trunk and you'd never notice it. Plus it's adhesive so comes right out. I don't love the stations but it's nice to never have commercials

[ths916m3]

Originally Posted by vfr-rich

1.) Is this a stock radio?

2.) Did you check that the antenna amp is actually getting 12V? Is the radio putting out 12V on pin 16?

3.) Have you checked by trying another radio? I'm sure that there are some local guys that have a stock radio sitting around that they'd let you use... I do..lol

The stock BMW radio wasn't bad from a reception standpoint, In fact mine was quite good. It just sucks from a sound quality standpoint.

1. Not a stock radio, but it is the 3rd one that has been in there and all 3 of them had less than adequate reception. I did buy a HD tuner and that helped a little too, but it goes in and out of HD cause of the reception which actually make the stations more annoying since there is a delay between the 2.

2.Have checked the connection and all is good with correct voltage.

3. see #1 above.

I did have a 1992 325i and never had a problem with the radio reception on that car. Any other ideas or suggestions?