06 325i reprogramming Ecu or switch it out?

[Phenoxs]

Ok, I’ve recently came across a 2006 bmw 325i for $1500 BUT, the owner says the Ecu needs to be reprogrammed so it’s not drivable.???

My questions are, is this a common defect that the ecu’s crap out on these cars?

Also, could I get an Ecu from a donor car (05-06 325i) and slap it in and have it running?

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[White94RX]

First, you cannot get a DME (digital motor electronics) from another vehicle and swap it in. It CAN be done, but only a specialist can do it. Someone that can wipe the old VIN out of it and program the new one. This cannot be done by the dealership, or an independent shop.

Second, I can just about promise you there is more wrong with the vehicle and a simple "reprogramming" would not fix anything. DME's don't just forget their programming. And if that really was the case, any dealership could do the work for about an hour and a half labor. Why would someone let a car go over a couple hundred bucks. There's more to the story, and unless you're willing to gamble $1500 on a paperweight, I wouldn't go near it. Not without having a professional properly diagnose it and get it running BEFORE you buy it.

[Phenoxs]

First, you cannot get a DME (digital motor electronics) from another vehicle and swap it in. It CAN be done, but only a specialist can do it. Someone that can wipe the old VIN out of it and program the new one. This cannot be done by the dealership, or an independent shop.

Second, I can just about promise you there is more wrong with the vehicle and a simple "reprogramming" would not fix anything. DME's don't just forget their programming. And if that really was the case, any dealership could do the work for about an hour and a half labor. Why would someone let a car go over a couple hundred bucks. There's more to the story, and unless you're willing to gamble $1500 on a paperweight, I wouldn't go near it. Not without having a professional properly diagnose it and get it running BEFORE you buy it.

Thanks for the info and reply!

My experience with Honda/Acura’s you’re able to swap ecus without any major issues, just using the a swap harness depending on years ( obd0/obd1/obd2a-b ) and you could use pretty much any Honda/Acura Ecu.

I wasn’t aware that bmw DME’s were dependent on vin #s, so just made the assumption they might be swappable without issues.

So, I messaged the guy with the car and he claims the DME got wet from a leaky cabin filter box so the DME was damaged.

[White94RX]

I told you there was more to the story. If the DME got wet, you can throw it in the trash. Reprogramming it won't do anything. You might as well try to reprogram a trash can. So you're already in at probably close to $1500 in repairs just to get it running IF THAT'S THE ONLY PROBLEM.

Not to mention, the DME sits inside a sealed "e-box". It is below the cabin filter housing, but unless the lid to the box was missing, it shouldn't have gotten wet.

[jclausen]

Sounds to good to be true

[Phenoxs]

I told you there was more to the story. If the DME got wet, you can throw it in the trash. Reprogramming it won't do anything. You might as well try to reprogram a trash can. So you're already in at probably close to $1500 in repairs just to get it running IF THAT'S THE ONLY PROBLEM.

Not to mention, the DME sits inside a sealed "e-box". It is below the cabin filter housing, but unless the lid to the box was missing, it shouldn't have gotten wet.


Sounds to good to be true

Yeah, I figured there was more to the story. Which is why I posted on here to get more info before jumping on this car.

[White94RX]

Just another FYI, I wrote an estimate for a 335 yesterday that needs a DME. The part alone was almost $2k. Then add on a few hours labor.

[Phenoxs]

Just another FYI, I wrote an estimate for a 335 yesterday that needs a DME. The part alone was almost $2k. Then add on a few hours labor.

Thanks for the quotes, but I’m sure I’ll be using outside sources if I ever purchase a DME or if I ever have to reprogram a DME lol. Bmw dealerships charge too much for me to even consider their labor plus parts cost.

thanks for the info bro!

[White94RX]

You can't get a DME from anyone other than the dealership.

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