Oxygen sensors for 1999 M3, any options other than BMW?

[E36 Em Tree]

Personally I would pass on the splice sensors. I use rmeuropean a lot, they have Bosch for 160 free shipping, I would go for that.

Ordered

[Kalclavia]

Don't mean to necro a thread, but for those stumbling across this as I did just now...

I heard NGK/NTK was always the best OEM for these types of sensors (I believe they invented the Titania sensor technology) but unfortunately I couldn't find any solution from NTK for a sensor other than the "Universal" ones which are being sold online. I called NTK's customer service line and the rep could not confirm whether they sold a "universal" titania type sensor so I'm guessing these may be sensors being resold with the leads cut off.

The rep actually recommended getting a part from Walker Products, linked below. I had previously seen this option with some bad reviews from people, so I considered it a cheap knockoff. However, if NGK is recommending them I might bite the bullet and see how long they last. These are also the parts RockAuto sells. These are the only cheaper alternative is getting one of the "universal" parts, and unfortunately the listing on ebay previously mentioned is now gone - the only availability I can find is $80/sensor from Bulgaria, so shipping times are long.

Link to Walker Products O2 sensors:
(This is actually better priced on Amazon):
https://www.amazon.com/Walker-Produc...s%2C537&sr=8-1

Alternative link (pelican):
https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_In...I=50&DID=58293

The one ebay listing I could find for "universal" sensors:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/150526677498


Edit: For those wondering why I'm ordering Titania type sensors for a 318ti... my car is swapped with an M52B25 out of a 323i. Getting O2 sensors has been a pain as I didn't realize the stock Ti sensors were different until I went to plug them in

[Balthazarr]

Glad I need only one. I pd about $60 for a Bosch about 4 yrs ago. Less than a few thousand miles on it, so far.
Prices are ridiculous in this thread.

[E36 Em Tree]

Are the O2 sensors that you ordered long enough and they work as well? I figured I couldnt go wrong with Bosch and rmeuropean's site.

[Braymond141]

Personally I would pass on the splice sensors. I use rmeuropean a lot, they have Bosch for 160 free shipping, I would go for that.

There's no reason not to buy them. They all connect via crimp terminals along the wire path. Having one more crimp connection isn't going to change their function or reliability.

This assumes the sensor itself is identical.

[Braymond141]

ECS also has this disclaimer on their site for sensor 11781427884 (which you guys have said is for post-cat)

Oxygen Sensor 990mm - cure your poor gas mileage by replacing your worn oxygen sensors
For vehicles with production date up to 04/1998
Brand:
ES#: 27149
Mfg#: 11781427884

Contacted ECS just to see what their .02 was and they also confirmed that 943 did not ss 884 so maybe I'll have to order 2 new pre-cat sensors. The shop didnt put part #s down on the previous owners receipt so I'll have to assume (based on the 4 units they ordered at the same price) that they used 4 of the same oxygen sensors not knowing the E36 had 2 different sets.


Not to keep being annoying to everyone but at least this information wont go to waste when someone searches for new sensors. But these https://www.ecstuning.com/b-vemo-par...781437943~vai/ are from Germany and found an article by ECS saying they are sourced directly from them and same supplier as NTK and Bosch (https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...market-ok.html)

There is no such thing as post and pre-cat o2 sensors on 96-99... or cut off dates. The different part numbers are just a nonsensical way to track sales strength and charge more based on those numbers (which they are not currently doing anyway).

All four sensors are the same post and pre-cat.
All four sensors are the same for all US 96-99 M3.

Lastly, VEMO are their own thing. I wouldn't relate them to NTK as they aren't even the same design, though similar to someone unfamiliar. Bosch don't make the sensor, NTK does. If you buy Bosch, they are NTK sensors in the box.

[bluptgm3]

All four sensors are the same post and pre-cat.
All four sensors are the same for all US 96-99 M3.

Hasn’t always been that way as I recall or some of us are simply slow to learn…..

Bosch don't make the sensor, NTK does. If you buy Bosch, they are NTK sensors in the box.

Yah, unfortunately both Bosch and NTK are Backorder/NLA just about everywhere….

[E36 Em Tree]

There is no such thing as post and pre-cat o2 sensors on 96-99... or cut off dates. The different part numbers are just a nonsensical way to track sales strength and charge more based on those numbers (which they are not currently doing anyway).

All four sensors are the same post and pre-cat.
All four sensors are the same for all US 96-99 M3.

Lastly, VEMO are their own thing. I wouldn't relate them to NTK as they aren't even the same design, though similar to someone unfamiliar. Bosch don't make the sensor, NTK does. If you buy Bosch, they are NTK sensors in the box.

I found out they were the same but were the wire lengths different for pre and post cat? That's what one thread (out of many) that I saw claimed, hence the two different part numbers.

The sensors are labeled as Bosch in the box so I dont want to confuse anyone by saying they're NTK either (not that I knew)

[Braymond141]

I found out they were the same but were the wire lengths different for pre and post cat? That's what one thread (out of many) that I saw claimed, hence the two different part numbers.

The sensors are labeled as Bosch in the box so I dont want to confuse anyone by saying they're NTK either (not that I knew)

ETK lists them as the same lengths.

You mean they are labeled Bosch ON the box, not in the box. The sensor in your Bosch boxes have NTK written on them, not Bosch.

[bluptgm3]

You mean they are labeled Bosch ON the box, not in the box. The sensor in your Bosch boxes have NTK written on them, not Bosch.

My experience is that Bosch boxed sensor were stamped/embossed NTK. Both are virtually NLA at this point.

NTK 25013
Bosch 13884

[E36 Em Tree]

ETK lists them as the same lengths.

You mean they are labeled Bosch ON the box, not in the box. The sensor in your Bosch boxes have NTK written on them, not Bosch.

Yeah, my bad. ON the box.
But NTK doesnt sell them on amazon as previous posts suggested.

[pizzaman09]

I just wanted to say thank you for this thread. I recently destroyed both of my upstream O2 sensors utilizing and air chisel to remove a couple broken rusted studs out of the collectors. I've purchased a set of NTK 25013 sensors without plugs on eBay to replace them.

Pro tip, O2 sensors do not like vibration.

[westsidecamper]

I bought a bosch one off ebay and put it in post cat. When I run the car I'll report back with the link if it's good to go.

[GregBBall123]

I just wanted to say thank you for this thread. I recently destroyed both of my upstream O2 sensors utilizing and air chisel to remove a couple broken rusted studs out of the collectors. I've purchased a set of NTK 25013 sensors without plugs on eBay to replace them.

Pro tip, O2 sensors do not like vibration.

Dude.... did this same exact thing this past winter, lesson learned... Bought mine off ebay too and theyve been good to go since

[BeerHat]

Anyone have any info as to why there's such a supply shortage, and what our recourse is? There are still quite a few E36's out there that'll need o2's, including mine at the moment.

I'm in contact with a support-rep at NTK (Niterra is the parent company), though he hasn't been able to give me a definitive on whether production will ever continue. I have a thread going on the standard E36 board about my ongoing saga with some likely knock-off sensors I inadvertently purchased --> https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...or-counterfeit

We'll see how that turns out -- but there needs to be some sort of long-term fix and go-to sensor for us.

Dan

[GregBBall123]

This is where I got mine, theyre not knockoffs and there looks to be plenty still available if youre having a hard time finding them.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/144844571780

[Braymond141]

This is where I got mine, theyre not knockoffs and there looks to be plenty still available if youre having a hard time finding them.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/144844571780

Same and can verify they are (obviously) real.

[BeerHat]

Sweet, thank you! Needed 2, bought 4. Hopefully these remain available for some time. I don't plan on getting rid of my car anytime soon.

[Kraftwerk]

ebay link: UNIVERSAL NTK 4 WIRE Oxygen Sensor FOR BMW REPLACE 25013 MADE IN JAPAN NO Box

So those are 'upstream' only ...what about down stream?

[bluptgm3]

ebay link: UNIVERSAL NTK 4 WIRE Oxygen Sensor FOR BMW REPLACE 25013 MADE IN JAPAN NO Box

So those are 'upstream' only ...what about down stream?

They are the same for upstream/down stream

[oljay]

Apparently e36 o2 sensor issue is getting worse because there is no Bosch 13884 or NTK 25013 to be found anywhere in US...

RockAuto has Walker 35034095, Walker 25024810 and Hella 358066101 options available but couldn't find much info about them so I'll also order NTK option from Ebay and splice them. It is definitely better to use OE and do wiring vs a different brand without knowing the quality, especially on BMW sensors...

If anyone has experience with Walker or Hella oxygen sensors, it would be good to know for future.

[bluptgm3]

Pretty sure the real deal is NTK-Bosch for $115 on Amazon
The NTK marker

[Braymond141]

Apparently e36 o2 sensor issue is getting worse because there is no Bosch 13884 or NTK 25013 to be found anywhere in US...

RockAuto has Walker 35034095, Walker 25024810 and Hella 358066101 options available but couldn't find much info about them so I'll also order NTK option from Ebay and splice them. It is definitely better to use OE and do wiring vs a different brand without knowing the quality, especially on BMW sensors...

If anyone has experience with Walker or Hella oxygen sensors, it would be good to know for future.

There is no such thing as Bosch o2 sensors. They are NTK. All Bosch does is package NTK sensors in a Bosch marked box and charges more. This was already discussed earlier in the thread and your current 2024 options are quite clear; Genuine BMW (NTK) or NTK for 1/8 price that require the ends spliced on. We don't need to keep rehashing this.

[Kraftwerk]

Umma about to do this (w/spliced on ebay sensors- downstream)
Will let you all know how it goes.

[ZEKTI]

@ Blupgm3 Just ordered these. Highly possible they are fake as there is no NTK stamping on the sensor. Bosch boxes were of a different sensor and the correct part# taped on. There is only 1 number on the side, 4 digits.

FWIW Hella sensors made in Spain pop up from time to time. Pierburg also are still available but not sure who makes, prolly Hella or whomever makes for Hella. They have a few xover parts now such as the MAF.

Rockauto now has some Denso sensors in stock. These were not listed last week. https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...&pt=5132&jsn=8