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Thread: Salvage Radio Code?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Location
    Saint Augustine, Florida
    Posts
    4
    My Cars
    2008 BMW 750Li

    Salvage Radio Code?

    The multidisc CD player and the single CD/radio dash unit on my 2008 E66 have both gone south, and as they are about impossible to find new, I was forced to buy salvage units. The dash radio/single CD unit I found was from a 2006, though it looks identical to what I have now. My question is, do these things have codes? Does the code "live" in the head unit, or in an ECU like those in the left rear? If I don't have a code (which I don't), can I get one from BMW with the VIN of the donor car (which I do have)? I'd rather know this before tearing the dash apart. Thanks, TT84 2008 750Li (E66) 95k

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
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    (northeast) Indiana
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    15 650ix GC & 14 X5 50i
    No...The last generation of BMWs that used anti-theft radio codes were the e32 7 series, e34 5 series, and e36 3 series. Starting in 1995 when the e38 7 series debuted (then each new debut afterwards...ie e39, e46, e53, e83 etc)...the new generation BMW radios did not have any anti-theft code. They relied on multiple components located in various locations and being model specific (7 series in dash components do not fit in 3 series...and 3 series in dash components don't fit in 5 series...and 5 series in dash components do not fit in 7 or 3 series etc.).
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  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Location
    Saint Augustine, Florida
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    My Cars
    2008 BMW 750Li

    A classic double-edged sword...

    Quote Originally Posted by Qsilver7 View Post
    No...The last generation of BMWs that used anti-theft radio codes were the e32 7 series, e34 5 series, and e36 3 series. Starting in 1995 when the e38 7 series debuted (then each new debut afterwards...ie e39, e46, e53, e83 etc)...the new generation BMW radios did not have any anti-theft code. They relied on multiple components located in various locations and being model specific (7 series in dash components do not fit in 3 series...and 3 series in dash components don't fit in 5 series...and 5 series in dash components do not fit in 7 or 3 series etc.).
    Thanks! So the philosophy is, making the component unusable in any other car makes it not worth stealing. True enough, but it also makes them impossible to replace by any aftermarket application. So you either pay BMW's astoundingly high part cost; or, once BMW runs out and loses interest in stocking more, you can't buy new replacement parts at all. So the only way to get a new BMW radio is to wrap a new BMW around it. Reminds me of my Dad's old joke about radiator caps...

    Tigertank84
    E66

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    (northeast) Indiana
    Posts
    19,323
    My Cars
    15 650ix GC & 14 X5 50i
    LOL.
    Become a BMW CCA member! Click HERE to join and feel free to use my BMW CCA member #191509 as a referral.

    2015 650ix GC (Moonstone/Cohiba Brown) <<~>> 2014 X5 50i (Space Gray/Mocha)

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2019
    Location
    Killeen Texas
    Posts
    4
    My Cars
    00 Bmw 323i
    You can go after market...The power 12v is still there but just blocked in the Bmw radio...and after market still enable usb ..and mp3 playback and blue tooth just steering wheel controls will be replaced with after market remote supplied with after market radio...You will need a electrical adapter of course and radio adapter for dash
    Last edited by Gold Beemer; 02-24-2019 at 12:46 PM.

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