just wondering

C

chopper

Member
Ok guys, this might be a little off topic ?
but was wondering if anyone knows Actually how many different versions of the car are actually built behind the skin..

for example... how many different wiring looms do BMW actually use across the range ? i.e i have a 2.3 sdrive... but is the wiring behind the dash the same as the 3.0 or 3.5 ? i dont have Auto headlights... but maybe the car is actually wired for them and i just need the switch with the extra settings ?
same goes for the ECU... maybe there are just 3 versions ? and they are just set up differently... so it would be possible to swap them out or reprogram them to get different options.. i.e. some of the comfort pack options that dont involve actual hardware.. maybe remote roof, windows etc..

i'm just wondering out loud really, but it does make you think... am sure it must be cheaper for them to just have 1 set of cables that gets put into each body on the factory line.. and then the appropriate bits added for each order...
 
My guess is it's the same wiring loom as many systems now work on the Can Bus system (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Controller_area_network) and add-ons tend to be just plug and play (there may be a bit of ECU programming to activate them also).
 
yeah, my thoughts too.... so now we need a super cleaver person to tell us how to activate a few extra bits and what can or cant be added by just plug and play...

Anyone up for the challenge ?
 
The E85 started life as well with a generic loom, but then they started dropping off wires (casing point the cruise control retrofit).

Earlier cars also had the wiring for the seat heating, but later ones did not. No car had wiring for the satnav though unless you had the option.
 
ok so following on from this... just been cleaning the are and under the door handles are a small clear plastic window ( as if there would be the led's fitted if i had the confort pack )...
so in theory the wires might be in the doors ?? but how would i know, how would i get the parts, and would it need actioning in the ecu ???
 
Anyone without the comfort pack got the little len's under their door handles ?
if so anyone thought about looking to fit the lamps ?
 
Extended lighting I believe.. I have it on the 35i. Inside Amber lighting on the handle, outside White lighting on handle which also illuminates the floor.
 
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