ECU different for German 325i models?

[JM35]

Hey guys,

My buddy has a 1986 325i, the previous owner imported it from Germany, so it is a German model, not EU or US.

The car has been sitting for 6 months because it needs a new ECU, he has taken it to about 3 different shops and the first 2 just ordered him a US programmed ECU, the part would fit but the car still wouldnt run. Finally the 3rd shop he took it to told him that the German cars use a different ECU than the US models which makes sense.

So now he is looking for a German ECU but cant find it anywhere in the states.

So first off, is it correct that he would need a German ECU or would a normal ECU just need to be programmed differently?

And second, if he needs a German ECU, where the hell can he find one?

Thanks!!

[MR 325]

How did he determine it needs an ECU? Even if the Euro ECU is different a US ECU should still plug in and run the car. The only potential difference I see if maybe the Euro spec car doesn't use an o2 sensor?!

[JM35]

The 3 shops he took it to all said that it needs a new ECU. That was my thinking too though, the car should still run or fire but would just be running a little off.

I would just think the ecu is programmed differently because of different regulations in different countries.

[MR 325]

The 3 shops he took it to all said that it needs a new ECU. That was my thinking too though, the car should still run or fire but would just be running a little off.

I would just think the ecu is programmed differently because of different regulations in different countries.

There's really not much different besides a possible lack of o2 sensor or cat.

The ECU is almost always the least likely cause of a no start situation on these cars.

[mkcman17]

I think the last year of closed loop/no cat was 85. I would give a 153 a try!

[cunninglinguist]

The car probably runs Motronic 1.0.

Here's some info that might be helpful:

http://www.rickk.net/i/drive/bmw-e30-325i-motronic-10-information/

[DigginMyE30]

My '86 325i German import is running a Motronic 1.0 p/n 0 261 200 081. No O2 sensor.