The Unix Nerd's Domain

BMW Parts CDROM

BMW's Mobile Traditon division have produced a CDROM (part no. 72 00 0 035 315) with part numbers and assembly drawings for classic BMWs. It sells for around $40 in the US. This is an invaluable source of information which covers the following models.

  • Early BMW motor bikes
  • V8 "Baroque Angel" saloons and 503/507 coupes
  • Early 600 and 700 series
  • Isetta bubble car
  • 1500-2000CS
  • 1502-2002tii
  • E3 2500-3.3Li
  • E9 2.5CS-3.0CSL
  • E12 five series
  • E21 three series
  • E23 seven series
  • E24 six series
  • E30 three series
  • Z1 convertible
    		•

    The CD in the flesh!

    The CD runs under Windoze 95/NT or DOS. The DOS version is identical to the system I've seen dealer parts departments use. The CD contains price data but only if you install it carefully (NB: the CD adds UK VAT at 15% not 17.5%).

    There are two releases of the CD. The 98 version has problems with the E23 parts diagrams. The 99 CD fixes the E23 bugs and sorts out a few minor bugs.

    The user interface is good but not perfect, 7/10. It's great to see BMW producing something like this, a trend to be encouraged. Now go and order one......

    If you have a look on ebay you may also find an up to date dealer CD covering 1974 to the present day. You can also find the Technical Information System (TIS) which covers debugging procedurces amongst other things.