[ImperialBlueBMW]

Hi my car became a paperweight recently.... Independent mechanic showed the FEM needed replacement. Could save $600 buying used...

Any experience or advice with this? Thanks all

Adam

[BimR]

Saving $600? The FEM module can be bought for cheaper so how much exactly did he quote you?

[FaRKle!]

FEM aren't plug and play. Takes programming to match to the vehicle before installing. A lot of indy mechanics don't have that capability.

[dmaxdmax]

Not that this isn't your issue, but usually modules and the like are pretty reliable.

How did your car happen to not work? Does it crank and not start...not crank?

Have you checked 'usual' suspects--check battery voltage, fuses, tried another key (sort of thing)?

If you have a code reader and publish codes, you might get some different opinions...well worth the $20 for a dongle and app like obdfusion.

This is broad speculation, but often the 'things' ruled as failing (like FEM) are because of a failure 'before' the item. Maybe a fuse...maybe something under its control and it needs working before it'd signal that the car is okay to start?

[FaRKle!]

Originally Posted by dmaxdmax

Not that this isn't your issue, but usually modules and the like are pretty reliable.

How did your car happen to not work? Does it crank and not start...not crank?

Have you checked 'usual' suspects--check battery voltage, fuses, tried another key (sort of thing)?

If you have a code reader and publish codes, you might get some different opinions...well worth the $20 for a dongle and app like obdfusion.

This is broad speculation, but often the 'things' ruled as failing (like FEM) are because of a failure 'before' the item. Maybe a fuse...maybe something under its control and it needs working before it'd signal that the car is okay to start?

To be fair, there have been plenty of unreliable FEM issues in BMW's past. So much so that BMW has given greatly extended warranties on them. A friend of mine recently had the FRM in his mini replaced under this (affected models up to 2014).

That's a good suggestion to check other items feeding the FEM. There are fuses on the FEM itself.

[xxxjecxxx2]

Originally Posted by ImperialBlueBMW

Hi my car became a paperweight recently.... Independent mechanic showed the FEM needed replacement. Could save $600 buying used...

Any experience or advice with this? Thanks all

Adam

You are better off going with a new one and bring to stealership to program. I can program a used FEM but that's something you would want to have done in person. Getting new one and getting indy to program it may not won't go well if they don't have experience using ESYS.

I think BMW also offer 2 year warranty on brand new part purchased from stealership.

Money saved vs time spent saving that money.

[Polo08816]

Originally Posted by xxxjecxxx2

You are better off going with a new one and bring to stealership to program. I can program a used FEM but that's something you would want to have done in person. Getting new one and getting indy to program it may not won't go well if they don't have experience using ESYS.

I think BMW also offer 2 year warranty on brand new part purchased from stealership.

Money saved vs time spent saving that money.

I would think you're better off using ISTA than ESYS for reprogramming modules.