Replacement cruise control cable too long???

[A ///Monster]

I've got a 09/95 M3 and the cruise control bowden cable broke on me. According to RealOEM I need 65712228748. So I ordered it from Turner. I was about to make a 6 hour road trip and I was pretty excited about having cruise control again. I installed the cable and it was as if the shroud is too short, causing the braided cable to stick out from the end too far. I can't adjust the cable anywhere close to being functional. I think my cable is about 2-3 inches out of adjustment.

So I pulled the cruise control bowden cable back off of the car. Sure enough, the new cruise control cable shroud measures about 2-3 inches shorter than the old one. The braided cable appears to be the same length.


I have searched for days trying to find out if S50 cars have different cruise control bowden cables from the S52 cars. Does anyone have any definitive information on this subject? I read in another post about it possibly being part number 65‐71‐8‐380 077. I'd like to know before I order another part.

[A ///Monster]

Because there are a million questions that people ask and never follow up with solutions or answers, I'll be updating this thread.

Update:

Went to the local dealership now. The parts guy was insistent on ordering the 8748 cable that showed up in his system for a 09/95 M3. The cable came in and I went to the dealership yesterday to compare it to the cable that came off of my car. Same dimensions as the 8748 cable that I ordered from Turner. Nothing lost and nothing gained, but now the parts guy is open to the idea that his computer system is wrong.

Interesting note, realoem.com shows a different part number for a cruise control bowden cable for a 09/95 325is. From what I understand, there should be no differences between the cruise control actuator, cable, or throttle body from S50 to M50. So I ordered the 65718380076 cable for the 325is. I'll update again once the new cables arrives.

[fumanchu]

I Have the same issue. Hoping OP found a resolution to this . My car is a 4/95 build.

Anyone?

[BMWManiac]

So I experienced this with my 97 M3....ordered 65712228748 and it was not only shorter, but it looked different. It had a solid, brass end of about 2 x inches. It kind of looked like my e30 one. The one you want is the one from a regular 3 series, like the 328: 65718380077

[HighandFast]

Before buying a cruise control bowden cable for your car, do the easy check and look at your throttle. Does the cable wrap around the actuator underneath the throttle body? Yes? Then don't buy the reported E36 M3 65712228748 cable.

This sucks. Waisted time and money. Realoem and multiple parts sources (e.g., Turner, ECS, FCS) show the E36 M3 cable as 65712228748, the one that has the stupid 6 cm solid fitting on the throttle-end. The cable needs to wrap around at the throttle, which the solid fitting would prohibit, so it's a no-brainer it's the wrong part. What car does that fit and why is it consistently list for the E36 M3?? I have no idea. You would think that by now all the site would have corrected it.

The correct part is, as previously noted, almost certainly 65718380077. But I won't get a chance to find out because I bought the wrong cable 18 mos. ago, so it's not exchangeable, and I'm not paying to for another one. Also, I was only replacing it preemptively because the insulation on the installed one is mostly corroded and falling off. It's only because I have the brake master removed that I decided now was the time, with easy access and all, to do the job.

[A ///Monster]

I was just notified by private message that I did not in fact update this like I said I would and I hate unresolved threads like the one I an guilty of making. So without further adieu...

Mystery Solved! 5 years ago, I did order the 65718380076 cable for a 325is and it was correct for a 1995 M3. Cruise Control works again.

The other 328is cables mentioned above are likely correct for the 1996-1999 M3.

Case Closed.

[cashmancab]

This is a very timely thread as I just received my cruise cable today for my 95 M3. I ordered the part per real OEM as above. I’m assuming this is what your talking about.
1- the overall length of the actual wire is the same.
2- both have the 60mm solid wire on the throttle end.
3- the new part has a rubber boot.
4- the rubber/plastic sheathing appears to be longer on the original part.
please confirm.

[sirhodjibob]

Can confirm 65718380077 was the correct cruise control cable for my 99 M3.

[A ///Monster]

Can confirm that 65718380076 is the correct cruise control cable for a 1995 M3.

- - - Updated - - -

This is a very timely thread as I just received my cruise cable today for my 95 M3. I ordered the part per real OEM as above. I’m assuming this is what your talking about.
1- the overall length of the actual wire is the same.
2- both have the 60mm solid wire on the throttle end.
3- the new part has a rubber boot.
4- the rubber/plastic sheathing appears to be longer on the original part.
please confirm.

This is what I remember also. You need the 65718380076 cable for a 1994-1995 BMW 325is.

RealOEM and the BMW parts counter both reference the wrong Bowden cruise control cable for 1995 and 1996-1999 BMW M3's.

[cashmancab]

Thank you for following up on your post and providing the conclusion. I also hate when people pose a problem and never post the solution.

You probably saved me 20 hours of frustration if I didn’t stumble upon this (coincidentally the same day my cable arrived). It was still in the package

[MParallel]

...
4- the rubber/plastic sheathing appears to be longer on the original part...

Unless I am looking at something else, but it seems the new one doesn't have any sheating at all. Which on itself is nothing I haven't seen before.