BMW Bavaria Radio - Ebay
- Thread starter Markos
- Start date
Hey Markos thanks for posting. I'm glad you did. I have seen these before, and I am curious about these. I don't think these were in Bavaria's so to speak but I could be wrong and that is why I would like some feedback. I bought an older Blaupunkt Frankfurt in immaculate shape that has the correct knobs etc. It is Euro (LMKUUU), not American (AM FM). I know the Frankfurt's were original to the Bavaria's but I want to know what the deal is with these Blaupunkt Bavaria BMW radio's. Can someone chime in on this?
These came out in 75 (fourth digit in 7635XXX), probably in e12s. Euro FM scale but a nice looking radio.
They were used in Euro E12s and early E24s. Most of the ones I've seen were the cassette version but I did have a broken one of these though. Not sure where it is. I have the Becker version for my M535i.
I have European radios from the early 2000's in a couple of cars (Becker Digital Traffic Management - DTM). These are great radios/CD players and adaptable to a changer or ipod nano etc., but before you buy a European version radio (coming from a European dealer), be aware that:
FM spacing in Europe is 10 mHz, in the US it is 20 mHz, so this is NO problem, as you'll be able to receive every US station (don't know about Canada).
AM spacing in Europe is 9 kHz, while in the US it is 10 kHz. Thus only when a 9 kHz spacing and a 10 kHz spacing align will the radio receive that station perfectly. With these high quality Becker models (were about 1200 Euros when new, I paid ~$200 via German eBay), I can tune to any US AM station that is within 3kHz from the European spacing and have quite good reception. I can not tune to or receive those that are 4 kHz different from a 9 kHz spacing.
ONLY important if you want to listen to any AM stations that are 3-4 kHz different than the set frequencies for a radio built for use in Europe.
There is a radio dealer in NY state that repairs/handles Blaupunkt and Becker radios from the '70's, and lists them on eBay. I assume, but do not know for certain that his radios would have US spacing. I may buy a vintage radio from him in the future, but I'll be sure to know the AM spacings before I buy it, as there are 2 or 3 local AM stations that I occasionally want to receive clearly.
FM spacing in Europe is 10 mHz, in the US it is 20 mHz, so this is NO problem, as you'll be able to receive every US station (don't know about Canada).
AM spacing in Europe is 9 kHz, while in the US it is 10 kHz. Thus only when a 9 kHz spacing and a 10 kHz spacing align will the radio receive that station perfectly. With these high quality Becker models (were about 1200 Euros when new, I paid ~$200 via German eBay), I can tune to any US AM station that is within 3kHz from the European spacing and have quite good reception. I can not tune to or receive those that are 4 kHz different from a 9 kHz spacing.
ONLY important if you want to listen to any AM stations that are 3-4 kHz different than the set frequencies for a radio built for use in Europe.
There is a radio dealer in NY state that repairs/handles Blaupunkt and Becker radios from the '70's, and lists them on eBay. I assume, but do not know for certain that his radios would have US spacing. I may buy a vintage radio from him in the future, but I'll be sure to know the AM spacings before I buy it, as there are 2 or 3 local AM stations that I occasionally want to receive clearly.
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I have been running Euro radios in E28s for a while and haven't had a problem with the AM band. In fact, despite the tuning difference, I seem to have actually gotten a clearer signal. Of course there are other factors involved.
Christopher,
That is interesting. MAYBE the older European radios had no set frequency between stations, as they didn't have the search, etc. features of the later radios. Mine were from Porsches etc. from around 1995 to 2005. They have the two dials, but the dial on the right automatically moves 9 kHz increments with a rotation either way.
That is interesting. MAYBE the older European radios had no set frequency between stations, as they didn't have the search, etc. features of the later radios. Mine were from Porsches etc. from around 1995 to 2005. They have the two dials, but the dial on the right automatically moves 9 kHz increments with a rotation either way.
The digital radios definitely would move like that and 550 kHz would show up as 549, but the signal was clear for AM. Even though the scale is different, I haven't noticed a lack of functionality here in the U.S. I couldn't speak for a really low power station though.