BMW Z3 DAB Radio Goes Dead, Help Needed

I had a similar issue with my 2004 BMW Z4 last year. The DAB reception was completely gone, and the head unit showed "Antenna defective" messages. Took it to the garage, turned out the antenna amplifier had failed, and there was also corrosion in the antenna connections. The amplifier is located behind the rear panel, and mine needed a complete replacement. It wasn't a major repair, but required specific diagnostic equipment to confirm the issue. They also found the original wiring had some wear, which caused intermittent connectivity problems. Got it all sorted with new wiring and amplifier, and the reception has been perfect since then. The audio system works great now. If you're getting complete signal loss, it's likely the same problem. Just make sure you go to a shop that knows BMWs well, the antenna system in these models is a bit tricky to diagnose without proper equipment.

Thanks for sharing your experience! I had that exact issue fixed on my Z3 too. Just curious, do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the repair? Also, has everything stayed working properly since then, or have you noticed any other little quirks with the audio system? It's always good to know what to watch out for with these older Beemers.

Hey there! Thanks for asking about the costs. Yeah, I got my Z4's antenna issue fixed and it came to 255 € in total. The mechanic did a thorough job, and I'm happy to report that everything's been working perfectly since the repair. The radio reception is crystal clear now, such a relief after all that static and cutting out! Haven't noticed any other quirks with the audio system since getting it sorted. It's actually been really reliable, which is great because I love listening to music while driving. It's amazing what a difference a properly working antenna makes! The repair was definitely worth every penny. I know these older BMW models can sometimes throw us curveballs with their electronics, but once you get them properly fixed, they tend to stay fixed. Just make sure you're using a good mechanic who knows their way around BMW electrical systems. Been almost a year now since my repair, and I haven't had to think about it since.

Just got back from the mechanic after getting my Z3's radio fixed! You were spot on, it was indeed the antenna amplifier. My repair came in a bit cheaper than yours, around 200 for parts and labor. The mechanic I found was fantastic, really knew his stuff about BMWs. He showed me the old amplifier, and wow, it was pretty corroded. No wonder the reception was so bad! The whole process took about three hours, but now the sound quality is incredible. Actually enjoying my morning drives again with proper radio reception. Thanks again for your help! It's such a relief to have this sorted. The mechanic did mention to keep an eye on the connections during car washes, but otherwise, it should be good to go for years. Really appreciate you sharing your experience, helped me feel more confident about getting it repaired. Time to enjoy some proper tunes in my Z3!