BMW DMEs - how swappable between cars of the same model (ye old E36...)?| Grassroots Motorsports forum |

OldGray320i Dork
4/27/21 8:45 p.m.

Love the E36, but it's a 318 and motivationally a little challenged.

So I ordered up a chip for the DME, give it a little more pep.

Sadly, my DME is one of the 5% of the population that Turner says has a soldered DME. No chip upgrade for me. BMW and their danged production run/production date changes....

But! There's a 318 convertible at a bone yard in Phoenix, and on the odd chance that it was the same DME number, but with a removable chip, what are my chances it would work? That car is a 10/94 production date, so I don't think it would have the programmed key SW in it.

irish44j (Forum Supporter) MegaDork
4/27/21 9:28 p.m.

Depends on if it's an M42 or M44, I imagine?

Slippery UberDork
4/27/21 9:53 p.m.

I have a '96 318ti that has EWS, you might be correct that '95s do not as they are OBD2.

Check if the EWS ring is present on the ignition of the junkyard car to be sure. Should be easy to see.