06 bmw 330xi r/s info difficult

Customer has a 06 BMW 330xi that they want R/S installed.  Theres not a whole lot of info on this vehicle.  Anyone done one before?  Difficult?  Turn and run?  The vehicle is an automatic transmission.  Im sure they would have to lose a key.  Any input would help before I tell them yes or no.  Thanks

Has this vehicle the plastic push key? DEI make a horrendously expensive by-pass unit for this vehicle. If on the other hand it's an E46 model, it's tremendously easy but you will need to use the valet key in a 556U wired to Euro spec. I've only installed BT kit and some electrical accessories on the latest but apart from the ignition/start system all wiring and colours are the same as the E46

This is the first time I even considered a BMW.  How do they label there cars?  e46 etc..?  The higher the number the higher price line of cars?  So if this vehicle has a standard key ignition set up its a basic install?  Any wiring info?

Call yourself an installer and you ask a question like that?        1975-83 E21
1983-92 E30
1991-98 E36
1997 2005 E46
2005 on saloon E90
Touring E91
Coupe E92
Cabriolet E93
You need to know year exact and more important the type and especially if it's an E46 or E90 The 90 will have a plastic key and a push button start.

With questions like that howard, i thought you would have told him to not even bother to even attempt that, without someone capable assisting!

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COMMIT YOUR WAY TO JEHOVAH AND HE WILL ACT IN YOUR BEHALF. PSALMS 37:5

Depending on what brand you are using I would recommend using a INT-BMW and an CAN-SL2. They piggy-back off each other and only work in 2-way data link. We did an alarm on an 08 BMW M6 and it wasn't that bad but time consuming depending on how comfortable you feel working on BMW's.

enice] wrote:

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Depending on what brand you are using I would recommend using a INT-BMW and an CAN-SL2. They piggy-back off each other and only work in 2-way data link. We did an alarm on an 08 BMW M6 and it wasn't that bad but time consuming depending on how comfortable you feel working on BMW's.

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I did a little research on this, and that sounds pretty much like the answer right there.

www.ifar.ca and you put in the type of the car, and it comes back with those two products. You can read the install guide online.

I wouldn't want to put the wholesale price of the module on a public forum, but I'll say that A, it's MUCH more expensive than you might think, and B, your distributor probably doesn't even stock it.

But you can find your price for the module, give your customer his price.........might want to get a deposit before ordering in case he backs out.

howie ll wrote:

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Call yourself an installer and you ask a question like that?        1975-83 E21
1983-92 E30
1991-98 E36
1997 2005 E46
2005 on saloon E90
Touring E91
Coupe E92
Cabriolet E93
You need to know year exact and more important the type and especially if it's an E46 or E90 The 90 will have a plastic key and a push button start.

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I know where you're coming from there, Howie. We as professionals should know our cars, right?

I really should learn more, but I have such little interest in those cars that I never get around to it.

On the other hand, if you ask me the difference between a Cadillac Fleetwood, a Cadillac Brougham, and a Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham, I'll tell you all you want to know!

I think that's why we American installers can get a little nervous around European cars...because they're a minority around here. Most cars seem to be Asian (especially Honda and Toyota), or American.

Sure, we do have Volkswagens, BMWs, Mercedes, and even Volvos around here, but they don't sell in huge numbers like the other cars above.

First, Darren..I would have come down harder but Mr. Wallace wasn't responding as "good cop" and where's Loneranger these days to be the other bad cop?
Eric welcome back, long time no hear.
Chris you and Eric had the answer which goes back to my first post and "horrendous cost" comment.
Chris as usual is spot on. I don't jump into a strange vehicle and pull it apart, I research it etc etc and test everything.
Having said that, in the last few years all I've done is 1 Ram, 1 F250 and 1 Mustang. Toyota/Lexus is the easiest and I absolutely positively throw a wobbly if I have to do ANY post 04 German car, hell even the Astra's nasty with one BCM at the front, the other at the back. PS from what little I've delved into E90 BMWs ignition/start apart the wiring, colours etc are pretty much the same as the E46. AND we still don't know if this vehicle is an E46 or E90. Having said if it's an E46, it's a piece of cake and I'd be glad to help!

Here in the "Boogey Down Bronx" we do get our share of german vehicles but more for subwoofer upgrades which you guys may know are a PIA to get proper bass response in the front and holds true especially for BMW's. I did realize that vehicles before 2003 use a standard ignition system and 04-05 is where data comes to play on the 3 Series. X5's are very workable even up to 06 with pretty standards wiring but 07 and up it changes. 5 Series are standard but 2004 and up are data. I could be wrong with this info but it is from my experience at the shop that i share this info. Another note to have is that if the vehicle has the I-drive system then more then data modules are highly recommended.

Your info is spot on Eric