I have a '09 JCW Clubman with stock radio. A week ago I found that the only radio control I had was volume, both on the center console and the steering wheel. All controls were frozen, no station selections or computer mode buttons functioned, including on/off. I tried a different key and observed the same thing, just with a different station. I tried putting in a CD to see if that would "shock" the system and it took the CD, again with no controls, including ejecting the CD. Yesterday, when driving to work, the radio went silent for half a second and when it resumed I had controls again. I quickly ejected the CD and observed that all controls were working, for about 15 minutes. The radio went silent again for half a second and when it came back it was showing preset #3 and playing the station that had been preset #4. Last evening I switched keys again as the station on that key was a 24/7 news station with traffic. After a bit, the half second of silence and controls working again. I was on preset #3 and after a few minutes, half second of silence and frozen controls, showing preset #3 and playing a different station (may or may not have been in my presets). This morning, back to my 1st key on the way to work, after a few minutes, silence and then controls working. Selected preset #1 (nice oldies station) and after a few minutes of normal operation, silence and controls frozen with preset #3 selected.

I have pulled the fuse for the radio once for about 30 seconds. My dealer suggested that rather than disconnecting the battery as he expressed concern that disconnecting the battery could cause major problems (afraid of shorts I guess).

At first I was thinking a connector had come loose which caused the controls to be inactive. After the seemingly random return to function and then switching channels and freezing, I am thinking either software or hardware may the problem.

I have been quoted $800 to replace the radio ($476 for the radio and 2 hours labor), as I am 7 months out of warranty.

I am looking for suggestions before I take it to the dealer.

Thanks.