i did some research on this awhile back, because it happened to me too. what i found out is that the lens mechanism of most car cd-changers are not designed to last more than 5 or 6 years, depending on wear/ tear and how much u use it. the manufacturers design the part to break down so that u have to get them either serviced (ie part replaced) or buy a new unit altogether.
most bmw dealers here in los angeles do a "swap-out" program. that is, when customers bring in their broken ones, they swap out the broken ones for working refurbs and tell the customer that they "fixed" it- since it's the fastest turn-around- usually same day service. (the dealers have a 3rd-party company to refurbish the units and then put them back into rotational stock.) the customer never looks at the cd-changer close enough to tell the difference- since the units all look the same. and, they usually are just happy it's "fixed."
typically, a bmw dealer will charge anywhere from $400 to $600 U.S. per customer for "fixing" a 6-disc bmw changer. i snooped around until i found a company that the dealer uses, and i asked if they would deal w/ me directly, rather than going thru the bmw dealer, who are essentially "middle-men" for this type of thing. some of these companies cannot deal w/ bmw customers directly- because the dealer makes them sign a contract forbidding it. (yah, pretty f-'d up.)
in my case i got lucky and i found one company that was willing to deal w/ me directly. i brought my unit there, they had it for a few days, and the cost of repairing it was just under 50% of what the dealer charges. and, i get to keep my own, original changer unit, instead of getting a refurb. the oem for my bmw 6-disc changer is pioneer, i believe. but, when u talk to the shop, they'll be able to tell u once they look at it.
hope this info helps.
