Radio issues 2005 525i

[kevesp]

Having issues with my iDrive on my 2005 525i. From what I can tell by Google searches this seems like a common issue with all BMW's. My iDrive system doesn't always work. Usually the first start in the morning the system kicks on with no problems. However, after that it's a hit or miss shot if it comes back on. Sometimes it will sometimes it won't. When it won't, the screen will still flash the BMW letters before shutting off and restarting. You can hear the discs inside spin too. Sometimes after driving for a while the system will just kick back on.

From what I've read on Google, this is either a faulty CCC or software. I've already read that re-conditioned ones are available that are much cheaper than brand new ones as I hear the ones you get from the stealerships are re-conditioned units anyway.

My question is, has anyone every gotten a re-conditioned unit? From the dealer or elsewhere? Where at and for how much? How much will the dealer charge roughly to replace it? Has anyone just gotten a software fix? How much did the dealer charge for that? How much does the dealer charge roughly just to diagnose whether it's a software or hardware issue?