I have have been reading through these forums trying to discover how to get RDS-TMC working on my September 04 MC.

There seems to be a lot of discussion on combinations of firmware versions, DVD versions and Radio/CD BOOST units - I'm very confused!

I have a 2004-2 DVD, firmware 4-1/30, 657 Radio BOOST and 650 Single CD player. Can anyone explain what I need to get TMC working?

TIA

Hi and welcome :)

Firstly doe the TMC show up in the options on ur Nav?
They changed the version of the head unit to enable the TMC from a set date-Thought it was from 2005 onwards but I believe some people have put in a new Head unit to get the TMC to work :)
Hope this helps.S

I have a "Traffic information" option in the menu. This takes me to another menu that has RDS-TMC, T-info plus (greyed out), No traffic info. and Message list.

If I select the RDS-TMC option, the TMC logo changes from red to white (I understand that if TMC is working, this should turn green). After a few minutes, the logo reverts back to red.

Thanks again.

You need the head unit from a 2005 model year car (the new BOOST CD head unit that plays MP3's). Oh, and al MINI 2005-1 navigation DVD disc. That's all. :)

Sounds like a trip to my local dealer. Bet it's not going to be cheap.

Thanks for your help.

I would guess that if you have a new spec MC your BOOOT unit should be OK. My wife's was built the first week in August and has the right one.

To get TMC to work you need

Boost CD manufactured from July 04
A TMC disc (currently only the DVD's 2004-2 and 2005-1, not CD)
Be able to receive classic FM (though not tuned as such to it)
Be listening to a CD or AUX in or CD changer in (the mini has a single tuner rather than a dual tuner that most BMW's have so you cannot listen to say radio 4 and have the TMC tuned to classic at the same time)
Have current sat nav firmware ie from July on
Have TMC enabled and selectable (ie not grayed out)

If your CD player will play MP3 files it is the new model (BMW did put old stock boost cd's in some cars even after july 04 hoping people would not notice). Of course I assume you mean your car was built in september not registered then.
When TMC was officially a feature then BMW increased the price and included the DVD (in ?october)
In september TMC was not officially a feature but an MP3 cd was and you should get a replacement if you do have an old boost CD on this basis

hope this helps :)

ps Does anyone know if there is a CD (ie the new one) that supports TMC (my other car is CD only but appears to support TMC in firmware)

> Boost CD manufactured from July 04
Check (i.e. I'm able to listen to MP3 files, so it looks like the new model).

> A TMC disc (currently only the DVD's 2004-2 and 2005-1, not CD)
Check (2004-2 DVD).

> Be able to receive classic FM (though not tuned as such to it)
Check.

> Be listening to a CD or AUX in or CD changer
Check.

> Have current sat nav firmware ie from July on
Not sure. Currently have 4-1/30.

> Have TMC enabled and selectable (ie not grayed out)
Have TMC, but it is grayed out.

I hoping to visit the dealer sometime this week. Hopefully she'll be able to sort out the firmware (which sounds like the cause of the problem).

Thanks everyone.

tell us more about you car, when was it built and delivered seeing as you now know what you need;)

oh by the way, I don't think TMC is really worth paying out say a couple of hundred for the new HU and disk if you need them to get it;)

She's a August 04 build, purchased in September. Silver with black roof, darkend rear glass.

The R85 S-spoke wheels make her a very hard drive - but wouldn't change them - they look great.

I tend to agree with you about paying too much for the TMC. Given the price of the car, and that she's only seven months old, I think the dealer should throw in a firmware upgrade.

That said, I might weaken and part with my cash. I do a lot of driving round the M25. Something that will alert me to upcoming traffic problems and give me alternative directions seems too good to be true. We'll see how it goes. I'll let you know how I get on.

My car is also an Aug '04 build.

All I did was replace the original 2004-2 Nav CD with a BMW Business 2004-2 Nav DVD, and Hey Presto.....TMC

I have the same firmware as you, and everything else seems the same.

Cars weren't supplied with the 2004-2 DVD until October when the price went up. However if you are sure it is the 2004-2 DVD (ie you bought it or you are using a "backup") you have (as per the original post) there is something wrong with the unit. You should not have to pay for a firmware upgrade and in any event you can do it yourself. A new headunit is £400 but you have the new headunit anyway. This is a warranty issue and MINI should put it right-for free.

Problem finally solved ...

Although I had the 2004-2 DVD case, the dealer discovered that the actual disk in the drive was the 2004-2 CD. After a bit of complaining, I was able to get the dealer to exchange the disk foc, as it it seems I should have had that in the first place.

Can anyone point me in the direction of a pdf version of the manual, so I can understand what all the new symbols mean?