Been going through this on a car recently, and there seems to be no one talking about it on the internet. I wanted to make a PSA for anyone out there before they too run in circles.
Somewhere along the line, aftermarket manufacturers decided to incorrectly update the M42 crankshaft sensors to a part that no longer even fits. Idk if this was something BMW told them to do, or if one manufacturer did it and all others followed suit. The only place I've been able to get the correct part is BMW for an unfortunate $337 (as of 12/25, parts prices seem to change daily nowadays).
The updated part that all the aftermarket companies are making is clocked wrong, too short, and has the plug aiming the wrong way. This is the incorrect part
Note how the mounting bracket on the sensor points opposite of the wires, and the connector coming straight off the cable. This sensor will point the cable directly into your AC belt, and won't reach the plug at the harness even if you run it in a straight line. This is the part that Bremi, Bosch made in China, Facet, and Vemo are selling. Don't buy it.
This is the correct part, made by Bosch in Germany and sold by BMW. If you can find a Bosch made in Germany part still from a supplier, it should work.
Note the mounting bracket pointing off the same side of the sensor as the cable, and the connector coming off perpendicular to the wires.
I have brought this issue up with all of our suppliers, hopefully they will be bringing the issue to the manufacturers and we can get the correct part again without having to pay dealership prices. Until then, godspeed
Somewhere along the line, aftermarket manufacturers decided to incorrectly update the M42 crankshaft sensors to a part that no longer even fits. Idk if this was something BMW told them to do, or if one manufacturer did it and all others followed suit. The only place I've been able to get the correct part is BMW for an unfortunate $337 (as of 12/25, parts prices seem to change daily nowadays).
The updated part that all the aftermarket companies are making is clocked wrong, too short, and has the plug aiming the wrong way. This is the incorrect part
Note how the mounting bracket on the sensor points opposite of the wires, and the connector coming straight off the cable. This sensor will point the cable directly into your AC belt, and won't reach the plug at the harness even if you run it in a straight line. This is the part that Bremi, Bosch made in China, Facet, and Vemo are selling. Don't buy it.
This is the correct part, made by Bosch in Germany and sold by BMW. If you can find a Bosch made in Germany part still from a supplier, it should work.
Note the mounting bracket pointing off the same side of the sensor as the cable, and the connector coming off perpendicular to the wires.
I have brought this issue up with all of our suppliers, hopefully they will be bringing the issue to the manufacturers and we can get the correct part again without having to pay dealership prices. Until then, godspeed