Hi All - Bought my 5th BMW (first was a 72 Bavari, my 3rd 7 series). Current e38 was bought without an owners manual but at a great deal.

I want to change/disconnect the battery and perform some maintanance, but do not have the radio code.

How can I get/reset the radio code without a lot of hassle? I know that when I disconnect the battery, I'll need it, so I am preparing ahead of time.

Thanks everyone..

I know this is the hard way, the I went to the stealer ship and they gave me mine within a few minutes. Im sure theres an easier way though

Should be pulled up by the dealership free of charge within a few minutes. If not, your local dealership people are being dicks.

you shouldn't need a radio code on an E38, if so gimme the serial number off the radio and I'll get it for you, but like I said you should be ok on that car.

THANKS for the follow ups. I was in the garage tinkering with it and really appreciate the replies.

The VIN: WBAGH8333XDP03799

Got a huge deal on this car and being a DIY'er, the basics checked out very good. Thanks all, but especially teilmeister for helping with any info on the car. I try to stay away from the stealer ships as much as possible :-)

Sorry about VIN and not radio code... but, can you pull any info about the car with the above info? Thanks again.

nope, vin numbers don't correlate to radio serials, because they get changed at some point in time under warranty.

Hi All - Bought my 5th BMW (first was a 72 Bavari, my 3rd 7 series). Current e38 was bought without an owners manual but at a great deal.

I want to change/disconnect the battery and perform some maintanance, but do not have the radio code.

How can I get/reset the radio code without a lot of hassle? I know that when I disconnect the battery, I'll need it, so I am preparing ahead of time.

Thanks everyone..
no radio code with e38.

ditto...the e38/e39/e46 don't use the "antiquated" :D radio CODE. The multi-component and model specific MID design took the place of the anti-theft radio in the older BMW models that required a radio CODE.

Multi-component Radio
The radio receiver in the e38 (without Navigation) is incorporated into the cassette tape deck along with the fader/balance controls. But the frequency modulation/volume/tuning/etc...is controlled by the MID (multi-informational display). It requires both units to create an operating "radio".

In e38s that have Satellite-Navigation...the radio receiver unit is installed in the trunk along with the Nav unit and CD changer...while the Nav unit in the dash has the frequency/volume/tuning etc.

Model Specific MID & Dash Design
To further complicate and reduce the black market viability of stolen BMW radios from the e38/e39/e46...the MID/Dash units are model specific. So if someone did manage to steal the MID & radio recevier from your e38...they could only sell it to another e38 owner. The 5 & 3 series have no use for it because none of the components fit. Even though the wide Nav screen is similar...the bezel around it is different...and that includes the X5, too.

Thus...no need for a radio CODE. You are free to disconnect your battery without worrying about shuting your radio down. :D You will lose your AVG MPH/CONS1 & II/TIME/DATE etc...unless you apply a small amount of voltage (like thru the cigarette lighter with a 9-volt battery)...but this is easy to redo.

Thanks again for all the replies. MUCH appreciated.