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2019+ BMW 3 AND 4-SERIES FORUMS (G2x Generation) Local Forums UK DAB reception

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      07-01-2021, 01:04 PM   #1
Charlie (Wessex)
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DAB reception

Done a forum search but couldn't find much....

Of all the DAB radios I've had in cars, the reception in the G21 is by far the worst I've ever had. Radio stations drop out in places that they never do in other cars, and much more often than I'd like. Enough to post a thread.

I've read that dashcams can interfere, but that I think is mainly rear facing ones. I've got one temporarily setup (but it might become permanent) plugged into the rear passenger 12v socket. Not sure if that would cause interference.

Is there a way of rescanning the radio stations? Thought that I'd try that first off....
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      07-01-2021, 03:01 PM   #2
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Not had any issues here. Not dropped out once in 7k miles.
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      07-02-2021, 12:55 AM   #3
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Mine doesn’t drop in a place where my A6 always dropped so my experience is that it’s generally better. Perhaps a trip to the dealer. As the aerial is in the moveable glass window there’s obviously a connection, which may be loose.

Last edited by xenon; 07-02-2021 at 02:35 AM..
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      07-02-2021, 01:28 AM   #4
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My experience is similar to xenon. Where my Jag used to drop out, the G20 still keeps going. That’s not to say it doesn’t drop out but is less noticeable.

I don’t know if the channel makes much of a difference but I mainly listen to BBC 5 Live, Radio 2 or Planet Rock so perhaps they pump out strong signals?
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      07-02-2021, 03:21 AM   #5
Charlie (Wessex)
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Not sure it was channel related, as was around Ascot yesterday when it dropped. Talk Radio, Radio 5, LBC all the same with no signal, in an area where I would have thought it would be good. Maybe its bad around and about the Royal Estate.

Got to do a 100 miler today where I know there is weak signal (between Winchester and Alton) so will pay attention to what is happening.

As an aside...wires in the glass tail section, have they sorted out the wiring there yet? Both my e39 Touring and e61 had the usual issues of the wires breaking.
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      07-02-2021, 03:25 AM   #6
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I'm in Ireland and it's very patchy. Very unreliable. Drops in and out and somedays I have no DAB stations at all.
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      07-02-2021, 03:34 AM   #7
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The DAB signal on my wife’s 220i has been a bit flaky over the past few days here in the North East as well. Maybe due to atmospherics of course and possibly scheduled work on some of the transmitters which I think you can check on the internet?
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      07-02-2021, 04:25 AM   #8
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Presumably the G series has the same drop to FM backup as the F series?
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      07-02-2021, 04:41 AM   #9
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Have you unplugged the dashcam and tried to rule that out?
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      07-02-2021, 05:10 AM   #10
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I had a hardwired dashcam installed with a battery in the boot and it's significantly reduced the DAB signal. I've now switched to using the "Radioplayer" app via Carplay.
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      07-02-2021, 05:13 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xenon View Post
As the aerial is in the moveable glass window there’s obviously a connection, which may be loose.
(On the G21) I assumed that the thing that looks a bit like a heated window element in the rear side window was the radio antenna.

I wonder what it is, then?
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      07-02-2021, 05:35 AM   #12
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Paul - you’re probably right. I jumped in too quickly
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      07-02-2021, 05:42 AM   #13
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Maybe it isn't though - maybe it really is a heating element!
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      07-02-2021, 07:35 AM   #14
Charlie (Wessex)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shanemeh View Post
Have you unplugged the dashcam and tried to rule that out?
Not yet, but will be doing so next time it happens. Got a there and back journey soon, so will see with/without and if a difference
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      07-02-2021, 11:28 AM   #15
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Well, I've done the there and back journey and DAB was awful between Winchester and Alton. Conclusion is its probably radio station, and in weak signal areas they are really poor. On the return had BBC R5 on and only a couple of drop outs, with dashcam plugged in.

Interestingly, looked at this website: http://www.ukdigitalradio.com/coverage/postcodesearch/ and talkRadio not always present as being "good coverage" in some of the areas I drove through when I had drop outs.

Still, its worse than in any other car I've had (I think!!!), so might mention it at some stage to the dealer.
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      07-02-2021, 11:31 AM   #16
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I dont listen to DAB much, but when I do its in similar areas around the South. Haven't noticed a drop out ever. From memory. But then it may be different stations.
So probably no help at all
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      07-03-2021, 06:55 AM   #17
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All my BMWs with DAB have had this issue, they'd cut out for long periods on certain sections of A1, around Skipton/Ilkley/Otley (Yorkshire) they always lose signal, always the same regardless of whether a 3/5/7 etc...
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      07-14-2021, 01:42 PM   #18
Charlie (Wessex)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie (Wessex) View Post
Well, I've done the there and back journey and DAB was awful between Winchester and Alton. Conclusion is its probably radio station, and in weak signal areas they are really poor. On the return had BBC R5 on and only a couple of drop outs, with dashcam plugged in.

Interestingly, looked at this website: http://www.ukdigitalradio.com/coverage/postcodesearch/ and talkRadio not always present as being "good coverage" in some of the areas I drove through when I had drop outs.

Still, its worse than in any other car I've had (I think!!!), so might mention it at some stage to the dealer.
Questioned the Mrs as to whether her Scooby Outback drops out, and she said that at pretty much the same spot, her DAB cuts out. So maybe not specifically a BM issue
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      07-14-2021, 02:36 PM   #19
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The problem with digital is it's either on or off, no fuzzy signal like fm. Bad signal will always be more prominent in digital unfortunately
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      07-15-2021, 02:48 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie (Wessex) View Post
Questioned the Mrs as to whether her Scooby Outback drops out, and she said that at pretty much the same spot, her DAB cuts out. So maybe not specifically a BM issue
It’s a transmission issue as you have alluded to. The DAB unit is actually very good and compares well with the competition. It’s just a shame we lost the option for alternatives. Tune-in is good however and my Spotify connection is much better than previously.
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      07-15-2021, 03:03 AM   #21
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I often do the Winchester to Alton route and don't have an issue at all. Have you done this without the dash cam plugged in?

I have an issue when I used a cheapy front and rear dashcam but 've now got a front only Nextbase 622GW hard wired and no issues at all.
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      08-24-2021, 03:45 PM   #22
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Been absolutely horrendous recently. Pretty much useless the amount of times it was dropping out. Never know f atmospherics play a part, but on the w/end, i couldn't get a single DAB station when it was heavy cloud and drizzle/rain whether it was local or national stations.

So I reset the system - holding the on/off button for c. 30 secs, and it seems to be behaving so much better. Still worse than all the other DAB in vehicles that I have (inc an AutoDab retro fit). Cloudless day though, so hope it's not jsut that that has improved things, and that a hard reset has done the trick.
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