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[Sir Tigger KC]

I finally got round to sending the BMW's ABS ECU off to BBA Reman for repair the other day, but they called today to tell me that.....

(a) They'd tested it and it's faulty. 

(b) The fault is unfixable! 

(c) They can sell me a new one for £395 + VAT! 

What a frigging PITA! 

[STEMO]

You could buy an omega for that.......and save the VAT.

[Sir Tigger KC]

What and throw good money after bad?   

[Kevin Wood]

Oh, that's a pain.

Still, sounds like our diagnosis was correct.

[tunnie]

Who needs ABS anyway?   

[Sir Tigger KC]

Oh, that's a pain.

Still, sounds like our diagnosis was correct.

Yes and thanks again for your help Kevin! 

So the dilemma now is whether to bite the bullet and shell out for BBA'S 'new' one with a guarantee or get a 2nd hand one and take a chance! 

Do I feel lucky?    Not especially at the moment.... 

[Sir Tigger KC]

Who needs ABS anyway?   

Sounds like Albs does with his reckless driving in the mobile chip shop! 

I guess I can use my sat nav for a speedo! 

[Marks DTM Calib]

And wire the ABS light in parallel with the engine ECU one for MOT time 

[Doctor Gollum]

From experience, buy new or don't bother

You could easily spend £400 trying to get a second hand one that a) works, and b) getting the second or third purchase programmed to the car

Failing that, I know a Lithuanian chap...

[Kevin Wood]

From experience, buy new or don't bother

You could easily spend £400 trying to get a second hand one that a) works, and b) getting the second or third purchase programmed to the car

Failing that, I know a Lithuanian chap...

Does he like driving at precisely 43 MPH?

[Doctor Gollum]

From experience, buy new or don't bother

You could easily spend £400 trying to get a second hand one that a) works, and b) getting the second or third purchase programmed to the car

Failing that, I know a Lithuanian chap...

Does he like driving at precisely 43 MPH?

Given the number of bits the car is now in, I don't suppose he did

He does pay cash though

[henryd]

I finally got round to sending the BMW's ABS ECU off to BBA Reman for repair the other day, but they called today to tell me that.....

(a) They'd tested it and it's faulty. 

(b) The fault is unfixable! 

(c) They can sell me a new one for £395 + VAT! 

What a frigging PITA! 

Try this lot  http://www.ecutesting.com/

had very good results/prices from them in the past

[iansoutham]

Send me your reg and Ibwill see what I can find out for you.

As a BMW Parts Manager, I might be able to help.

[STEMO]

Send me your reg and Ibwill see what I can find out for you.

As a BMW Parts Manager, I might be able to help.

It’s very brave of you to admit to that on a public forum. Hats off to you. 

[iansoutham]

Send me your reg and Ibwill see what I can find out for you.

As a BMW Parts Manager, I might be able to help.

It’s very brave of you to admit to that on a public forum. Hats off to you. 

But at least I do not own one. I get to give my one back whenever I want and take a new one free all the time.

[Mr Gav]

Send me your reg and Ibwill see what I can find out for you.

As a BMW Parts Manager, I might be able to help.

I bet you don`t get many requests for indicator bulbs 

[iansoutham]

Loads actually.

Mainly because they were not using it when they pulled out in front of someone and smashed it....

[Mr Gav]

Loads actually.

Mainly because they were not using it when they pulled out in front of someone and smashed it....

 

[moggy]

Hi guys,a little off topic.But a friend of mine took his bmw to the dealers in Newcastle.They did a diagnostic test as he was getting a low brake pad warning.They said he needs a new disc and pads on one side,£580 is that correct sounds a bit over the top to me.Dean

[Nick W]

You know that BMW stands for Budget Much Wonga?

[TD]

You know that BMW stands for Budget Much Wonga?

I thought it meant something else.....along the lines of a coloured guys plonker 

[Kevin Wood]

Hi guys,a little off topic.But a friend of mine took his bmw to the dealers in Newcastle.They did a diagnostic test as he was getting a low brake pad warning.They said he needs a new disc and pads on one side,£580 is that correct sounds a bit over the top to me.Dean

 

Run. Just run.

[ronnyd]

You know that BMW stands for Budget Much Wonga?

I thought it meant something else.....along the lines of a coloured guys plonker 

Are we allowed to say that now? 

[Kevin Wood]

You know that BMW stands for Budget Much Wonga?

I thought it meant something else.....along the lines of a coloured guys plonker 

Are we allowed to say that now? 

I've got another one if you're worried. It's still a bit rude, though (obviously).

[henryd]

Hi guys,a little off topic.But a friend of mine took his bmw to the dealers in Newcastle.They did a diagnostic test as he was getting a low brake pad warning.They said he needs a new disc and pads on one side,£580 is that correct sounds a bit over the top to me.Dean

If they plan to change one side only they want shooting,burying,digging up and shooting again,where's TB's cull list 

[Doctor Gollum]

I work with a BMW nutter...

He was quoted about £400 pads, supply only with discount... so he bought Pagid...



... For the same price as BMW sell them via their ebay store

He wasn't impressed when I told him... even less so when the Pagid pads are still squeaking a thousand miles later

[moggy]

I work with a BMW nutter...

He was quoted about £400 pads, supply only with discount... so he bought Pagid...



... For the same price as BMW sell them via their ebay store

He wasn't impressed when I told him... even less so when the Pagid pads are still squeaking a thousand miles later

That is shocking DG,so my friends best bet is to buy from a local factors and have them fitted by a local garage.Any recommendations as to make of pads Dean.

[Shackeng]

Are BMW brakes more difficult to work on? Disc brakes and pads generally are so simple, they are difficult to f**k up for even the lamest numpty. I blessed the day when drum brakes disappeared on my cars.

[Kevin Wood]

Are BMW brakes more difficult to work on? Disc brakes and pads generally are so simple, they are difficult to f**k up for even the lamest numpty. I blessed the day when drum brakes disappeared on my cars.

Agreed. But you know what they say about making something idiot-proof?

Had a flashback to drum brakes recently when I had to overhaul my handbrake.

[Sir Tigger KC]

Are BMW brakes more difficult to work on? Disc brakes and pads generally are so simple, they are difficult to f**k up for even the lamest numpty. I blessed the day when drum brakes disappeared on my cars.

No.  I replaced the front discs and pads on mine last year and it was no harder than any other vehicle. 

I found a set of Unipart front discs that were clearance on ebay for £19 and I forget where the pads came from but it would have been cheap ebay or ECP. 

I press the pedal and the car stops. Job jobbed!    I await my ritual slagging! 

[STEMO]

Are BMW brakes more difficult to work on? Disc brakes and pads generally are so simple, they are difficult to f**k up for even the lamest numpty. I blessed the day when drum brakes disappeared on my cars.

No.  I replaced the front discs and pads on mine last year and it was no harder than any other vehicle. 

I found a set of Unipart front discs that were clearance on ebay for £19 and I forget where the pads came from but it would have been cheap ebay or ECP. 

I press the pedal and the car stops. Job jobbed!    I await my ritual slagging! 

Not from me, Sir Tig, if you drive normally these parts are fine.

[iansoutham]

Well, chatting to my Senior Techs this week, it would appear that these ECU modules on the old E39 do have a habit of just dying for the fun of it.

Replacements from BMW are, shall we say, pricey  £840 for ASC and £1120 for DSC just for reference.

However, if you wanted to look for some new items, they are available from Germany on eBay for similar amounts to refurbished ones here in the UK.

You would need to know if you have ASC or DSC as the modules are different, but the part numbers for both are below:

ASC 34.52.2.285.043 (leave the "." out if searching eBay)
DSC 34.52.2.285.051

Hope this helps.

[Sir Tigger KC]

Thanks for that Ian.   

I still havn't decided whether to spend £150-200 on a second hand one and take a chance, or £550 odd on the rebuilt one with a guarantee..... 

This car is starting to cost me... 

[STEMO]

Thanks for that Ian.   

I still havn't decided whether to spend £150-200 on a second hand one and take a chance, or £550 odd on the rebuilt one with a guarantee..... 

This car is starting to cost me... 

And it’s not like you’re used to that or anything, being an ex omega owner.   

[Nick W]

Thanks for that Ian.   

I still haven't decided whether to spend £150-200 on a second hand one and take a chance, or £550 odd on the rebuilt one with a guarantee..... 

for a common electronic fault? That's not really a choice, is it?

[Sir Tigger KC]

Thanks for that Ian.   

I still haven't decided whether to spend £150-200 on a second hand one and take a chance, or £550 odd on the rebuilt one with a guarantee..... 

for a common electronic fault? That's not really a choice, is it?

Now that's the rational answer.... 

[Doctor Gollum]

Thanks for that Ian.   

I still haven't decided whether to spend £150-200 on a second hand one and take a chance, or £550 odd on the rebuilt one with a guarantee..... 

for a common electronic fault? That's not really a choice, is it?

Now that's the rational answer.... 

The guaranteed one is cheaper...

[Sir Tigger KC]

£395 + VAT = £474, plus £48 + VAT  to get it coded, so £57.60 + £474 = £531.60 

Or a secondhand one that might be good at about £200 including coding.  Or it might not be good and I'm back at square one. 

I wish I wasn't such a tight bastard!   

[Doctor Gollum]

And you'll only find out once coded as it won't work correctly beforehand. I bought one known good unit which cleared the ABS codes but didn't function correctly. The issue might not be just the ABS ecu.

By fitting new, you at least rule it out...

Failing that, I know a Lithuanian...

[Sir Tigger KC]

I've done a bit of shopping around this morning and have bought a new one for £355.54 inc VAT and delivery. 

It's coming from Der Faterland so it may be some time.