Diagnostic Tool - E30 M3

[StacyB]

I'm considering purchasing a Schwaben diagnostic tool for my mostly stock 1988 M3. Turner claims that the box is incompatible with the car; ECS advises the opposite. Can anyone recount their experience with the Schwaben BWM/Mini unit? (I realize that I would need an adapter cable for the 20-pin socket.) Thanks in advance.

[MauiM3Mania]

Bounced to bring to the surface.

[bmwdirtracer]

Funny....ECS owns Turner, and they can't agree?

Turner will be much more familiar with the E30M3...ECS really doesn't have any techs working for them, their people are pretty much clueless. That said, Turner only sells Schwaben stuff because ECS bought Turner, so the tech people at Turner may have never used the Schwaben/Foxwell tool, especially on an E30M3.

The E30 M3 is a rare beast, and won't share computer software with any common BMW. For instance, many scan tools with BMW software will talk to an E34 535 BMW, but don't recognize an E34 M5.

In short, I wouldn't take the word of an ECS sales guy, OR even the excellent Turner guys, unless they tell you that they have tried the unit, with a 20 pin connector, on an E30M3, PERSONALLY.

Try calling Turner, and asking if Doug Mahar is still working there. If HE tells you something, he'll be correct.

[328 Power 04]

IIRC, technically an investment company owns both now.