Radio aerial improvement or upgrade?

[TriumphZ3]

Hi y'all, haven't been on for a while (1998 Z3 going very well!!) but I've noticed that the radio reception is terrible. I may live out in the sticks but all other vehicles get good reception, and if the sun even goes behind a cloud the Z3 loses the signal. This is the factory-fitted black bendy aerial on the rear N/S wing, connected to a modern Pioneer head unit which has always worked very well in my other previous cars. Is there any way of improving reception? I've cleaned contacts including unscrewing the aerial and cleaning the threads. Any ideas?

 

[colb]

Its an amplified aerial and not the best in the world. Used spares are expensive from the Breakers, mine broke and couldn't find any alternative types that would fit. Had to go down used route for an oem one, replacement worked fine but expensive. Ensure your gromet is in good condition on the oem one if its gone hard and splitting, replace it from BMW there cheaper than ebay sellers.

 

[Zephyr]

Ive had a Pionner in the past and I remeber it had a "local" setting hidden in the fm menu.
it was supposed to better the signal. Have you tried it if yours has it?
No idea if it boosts or clears the signal but mentioning this just in case it works

 

[elevensies]

i have a OEM aerial i dont use, as i replaced it with a smaller version, i dont suffer any radio issues , but i have the oem business karden harmen system.
is this what you mean ?

 

[137699]

My Coupe came with a stubby aftermarket aerial fitted and reception was abysmal. I looked through my spares for something better that would fit and found that a Smart ForTwo aerial from circa 1999-2006 fits perfectly and reception was markedly improved. It's quite long compared with the BMW original but it works and you can probably get one off a breaker for £5

 

[TriumphZ3]

i have a OEM aerial i dont use, as i replaced it with a smaller version, i dont suffer any radio issues , but i have the oem business karden harmen system.
is this what you mean ?View attachment 327169

Yes, that's the one. Connectors are all clean (replaced the wing grommet too, so leak-free!) but the reception is terrible, even with the radio finding the best and strongest signal for me. I'll just have to go out and play with it again..