I am stationed in Germany (Army Civilian) and have a US Magnum. The radio frequency spacing in the Magnum is set up for the US standard, for instance, 97.1, 97.3, 97.5, etc. 97.4 is not doable. German stations do 97.05, 97.1, 97.15 and so on. Some of my favorite stations are on frequencies not available to this radio, like AFN!!!

Has anyone that pulled out the Magnum radio (BA with 6 speakers) noticed if there was a switch back there for European channel spacing? I really do not want to have to go to a German dealer and buy a Euro spec radio out of a 300C.

Failing that, if I replace the radio with one that has the Euro spacing, will I lose the steering wheel controls and dash indicators, or is there a model out there that supports those?

Thanks.

 

I seriously doubt there is any provision for dual banding on US radios. That would add complexity that would never be used. Check EBAY.de certainly somebody over there won't like the radio in their EURO spec 300 and that will interface with your controls. I have the NAV system and while my radio is fair - it certainly isn't what I would call audiophile quality. I miss the computer controlled 12 band equalizer in my old car. So they should quickly show up on the market.
BTW I would love to take my RT on the A1 - although I probably would be disappointed in it's top end - but still worlds better than the Fiat Matreo I had to put up with last time.

 

You actually want AFN?!?

 

Yes, you've got a point there, but they read the US sports scores at 0715, on my way to work, and they play the first hour of Rush Limbaugh when I am on my way home, and those are worth the price of admission, wouldn't you agree? (I have an hour drive each way). And if I'm late, I can listen to Dr. Laura (WHO WROTE THAT IN THERE?) Can't get those on German stations, which are otherwise quite excellent.

Since they sell the same platform here (300 Touring), with the same radio, you would think a little switch would be more cost effective than 2 completely different radios. I can go to Crutchfield and buy cheap radios under $300 that can do both, so I know it's not a big deal for the manufacturer to include.

Anyone out there taken theirs out and looked at it? I can imagine that the German version of this radio with the 6 CD changer will run a grand, with the built in Euro inflation.

 

I've been taking it easy, once on the A9, kept it under 110, I only have 500 miles on it so far and my wife was with me. It is governed to 126 MPH (Ive read) due to the H rated 4x4 Continentals. My Passat and BMW have the same, but they stop at 128.

 

They do have an occasional bright spot, but... I'll pass on Dr. Laura or Rush... her 365 day menstrual cycle and his "pom pom" routine get old (and I was a fan and bought his books too)...scores are ok though.
On the radio, have you taken it to the local (?) DC dealer? I really wouldn't be shocked if they have a means to adjust, assuming that the cars all share the same basic radio systems, minus local peculiarities. SAAB, for instance, does for both Euro and US-sold models (but that's SAAB) You used to just turn a screw to adjust, if I recall (1997, 900).
I just had some recall work done on my RT so I wished I'd read this before I went this a.m. The local dealer in Heidelberg is pretty good...he had the D-050 recall done in the allotted 30 minutes...right on the money. And contrary to what I was told by DC Customer Service, the local shop honors the warranty, etc, so...
I'd certainly look at it before you spend a lot of Euro or $$, one way or the other.
How do you like the AWD?

 

Yes, I was planning to check with the "local dealer" on my first oil change. My local dealer is in Amberg, in the opposite direction of how I drive, so I just need to get the time to get over there. I have had the car exactly 1 week now.

Funny you should ask about the AWD, my last 2 cars were Passats, both with AWD and I loved those cars in the winter. Today I found a tank park (I'm in Grafenwoehr) covered with 4 or 5 inches of snow and no tracks. There are some in there now. I had to jerk the wheel back and forth while increasing speed to get anything close to a slide, and it just tracked. ABS works too, AWD does not help you stop though. Also, on dry pavement, I tried to chirp the wheels from a dead stop and could not, even with the ESP turned off, that was disappointing, I was looking forward to laying some rubber.

 

Having bought an early RT, mine is RWD but does fairly well. It has snowed here almost every evening for about 7 days, about 1/2 to 3/4" each evening...the car has no issues. I live on a very steep drive that ends in a river, so... incentive. While here 2000-2003 I averaged 27 mph at 17 mpg in my 2000 SAAB 9-3 (per the computer w/ 4 cylinder turbo) over a 30 mile, 60 minute drive. AWD would be moot. With my RT I'm averaging a bit higher mph and about 16.3 mpg...that's in zones that range from 30 kph to 100 kph...mostly 50 kph with more than a few stop lights. I wish it were closer or over 17 mpg but considering the displacement difference from SAAB to RT I can live with that... and all the additional room. SAAB is a fine car but I do like the RT.
Good luck with yours.

 

Well, today I pulled the radio (it was quite easy) and found that there is definately NOT a switch to change frequency spacing. I still have to make a trip to the dealer in the hopes that there is a combination of buttons to press to make the change.

 

That's a shame...sure would have made it easier... and to have made sense from an export point of view (across the DC line). As a note, my local dealer in HD (very good I might add) has my RT listed in their database as a 300C so I assume they have no ability to list a Magnum. I doubt that it's an issue except in those rare instances where a part or procedure is a bit different. The 050 recall procedures were apparently identical, so... Anyway, good luck.
(In your case, I wonder if the 300C is sold in Europe in an AWD?)