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BMW Performance Chip Guide

This guide will help you when ordering a chip from Turner Motorsport. The chips work with most 1985-95 BMWs. If your car is a 1996 or later you need to visit the OBD-II Performance Software section (click here). For cars that we do have chips for please read about the details of your car below. It can be a little confusing because BMW used as many as five different computers on a single model. Production dates, transmissions, and equipment can all be factors as well. Turner Motorsport has been in the BMW tuning business since 1992 so you can be rely on our experience and knowledge to get you the right chip for your car. You can call us at 978-388-7769 should you have any further questions.

Some helpful hints:

  • The computer in a BMW is most commonly referred to as an "ECU" (Electronic Control Unit) or "DME" (Digital Motor Electronics).
  • EVERY computer in a BMW uses a Bosch part number that begins "0 261". This is Bosch's designator for a DME. There are other computers in your car so make sure when you are getting this information that the part number begins with "0 261".
  • BMWs are most often categorized by the body code, this is the "E" number listed below. For a complete breakdown of the E codes click here.
  • many chips are dependent on the production date of the vehicle. This can be found on the driver's door pillar on a BMW Manufacturing label. It will always be in a "MM/YY" format.
  • nearly all of our chips raise the factory rev limit to a higher point. In most cases it's a few hundred RPM to a point that is still safe for the engine and will not cause any problems with valve clearance, float, etc. On automatic transmissions, there may be an additional rev limiter built into the transmission programming and we cannot alter that setting and we recommend manually shifting the transmission before the stock rev limit to avoid transmission problems. Our chips raise the engine rev limit only.
  • What is EWS? This is an additional security feature that BMW started putting into its cars around 12/94 (December, 1994). The ignition key has a microchip inside that must synch with a signal in the ignition itself and also with a signal from the DME. Only then will the car start. The EWS system can be tricky for Performance Chips but we have managed to make the ordering process as smooth and painless as possible; in most cases you do not have to send us your original chip or ECU!


    • Find your car in the listings below to check ordering requirements.

    E23 735i

    1985-87 735i
  • ECU number. The last three digits should be 059 or 150. Note that the ECU is located in the passenger's footwell behind the speaker
  • If your ECU is a 0 261 200 059 we also need to know the number of pins on the original chip. You will need to remove the ECU and open the cover and count the number of pins. Unfortunately there is no way to tell which chip is in the computer by looking at part numbers or model numbers. The stock chip has either 24 or 28 pins. You will get a Performance Chip with the same number of pins.
  • For the 0 261 200 150 ECU we also need to know if the car is a manual or automatic transmission. This does not apply to the 059 ECU.


    • E24 635CSi and E28 535i/is

    1985-89 635CSi
  • ECU number. The last three digits should be 059, 150, or 179. The ECU can be found in the top of the glove compartment. Undo the plastic panel that makes up the "roof" of your glove box. With the forward part of the panel/"roof" undone you should be able to lower it enough to see the ECU and read the ten-digit Bosch part number. If you need to take the computer off it’s bracket, a 10mm socket and driver is required.
  • If your ECU is a 0 261 200 059 we also need to know the number of pins on the original chip. You will need to remove the ECU and open the cover and count the number of pins. Unfortunately there is no way to tell which chip is in the computer by looking at part numbers or model numbers. The stock chip has either 24 or 28 pins. You will get a Performance Chip with the same number of pins.
  • For the 150 and 179 ECU we also need to know if the car is a manual or automatic transmission. This does not apply to the 059 ECU.


    • 1985-88 535i/is
  • ECU number. The last three digits should be 059 or 150. The ECU can be found in the top of the glove compartment. Undo the plastic panel that makes up the "roof" of your glove box. With the forward part of the panel/"roof" undone you should be able to lower it enough to see the ECU and read the ten-digit Bosch part number. If you need to take the computer off it’s bracket, a 10mm socket and driver is required.
  • If your ECU is a 0 261 200 059 we also need to know the number of pins on the original chip. You will need to remove the ECU and open the cover and count the number of pins. Unfortunately there is no way to tell which chip is in the computer by looking at part numbers or model numbers. The stock chip has either 24 or 28 pins. You will get a Performance Chip with the same number of pins.
  • For the 150 ECU we also need to know if the car is a manual or automatic transmission. This does not apply to the 059 ECU.


    • E24 M6, E28 M5

    1987-88 M6, 1988 M5
  • no information from your car is necessary


    • E28 528e

    9/84-9/87 528e
  • no information from your car is necessary
  • there is no chip available if your car is a 1988 528e (SuperEta)


    • E30 3-series

    1990-91 318i/is
  • no information from your car is necessary


    • 1985-87 325e/es
  • no information from your car is necessary
  • there is no chip available if your car is a 1988 325 (SuperEta)


    • 1987-92 325i/is/iC/iX
  • model year
  • transmission type (manual or automatic)
  • ECU number. The last three digits should be 153, 173, 380, 524, or 525. The ECU can be found in the top of the glove compartment. Undo the plastic panel that makes up the "roof" of your glove box. With the forward part of the panel/"roof" undone you should be able to lower it enough to see the ECU and read the ten-digit Bosch part number. If you need to take the computer off it’s bracket, a 10mm socket and driver is required.


    • 1988-91 M3
  • we need to know the displacement of your engine: 2.3-liters (stock US) or 2.5-liters (2.5L Sport Evo crank)


    • E31 8-series

    1993-12/94 840i/Ci
  • verify that the ECU number is 0 261 200 404. If your ECU ends in 484 see the 1995 840 information below. The ECU can be found in a large black plastic enclosure in the engine compartment. There is usually 2-3 silver boxes in the enclosure (depending on your model and optional equipment). Each silver box has a wiring harness/connector attached to it. It is not necessary at this time to disconnect these wiring harnesses. You may, however, have to remove each silver box and the attached harness until you come to the ECU. The ECU number is 10 digits and begins with 0-261-200. On the "404" ECUs, you also need to verify that the number "1744050" is also printed on a label on the ECU cover. Click here for chip installation instructions


    • 1995 840i/Ci (cars produced after 12/94)
  • verify that the ECU number is 0 261 203 484. The ECU can be found in a large black plastic enclosure in the engine compartment. There is usually 2-3 silver boxes in the enclosure (depending on your model and optional equipment). Each silver box has a wiring harness/connector attached to it. It is not necessary at this time to disconnect these wiring harnesses. You may, however, have to remove each silver box and the attached harness until you come to the ECU.Click here for chip installation instructions.

  • in addition, Turner Motorsport needs the original/factory chip from the ECU. This will have to be removed and sent to us so that we can copy the code from the EWS-II software. We only need your chip for 1 day. Both the original and the new Performance Chip will be returned promptly. Note we only need the chip from your car's computer - we do not need the computer itself. If you send us the computer for a chip install an $75 charge will apply for removal of the stock chip and installation of the Performance Chip.


    • 1991-94 850i/Ci
  • ECU number. This should end in 352 or 998 and there are 2 ECUs for the V12 engine (one per cylinder bank). The ECUs can be found in a large black plastic enclosure in the engine compartment. There are usually 2-3 silver boxes in the enclosure (depending on your model and optional equipment). Each silver box has a wiring harness/connector attached to it. It is not necessary at this time to disconnect these wiring harnesses. You may, however, have to remove each silver box and the attached harness until you come to the ECU.
  • transmission type (manual or automatic)


    • 1995 850CSi (up 12/94 production date)
  • no information from your car is necessary
  • there is no chip for a car made 12/94 or later


    • E32 7-series and E34 5-series

    1989-92 735i/iL, and 1989-92 535i
  • ECU number. The last three digits should be 150, or 179. The ECU is located in a black compartment on the passenger side of the engine bay (between the strut tower and the firewall). Depending on your car there may be as many as three computers located in this compartment. Each computer has a wiring harness/connector attached to it. It is not necessary at this time to disconnect these wiring harnesses. You may, however, have to remove each silver box and the attached harness until you come to the ECU. The ECU number is 10 digits and begins with 0-261-200.
  • For the 150 and 179 ECU we also need to know if the car is a manual or automatic transmission


    • 2/92-4/94 740i/iL, and 1994-12/94 530i/540i
  • verify that the ECU number is 0 261 200 404. The ECU is located in a black compartment on the passenger side of the engine bay (between the strut tower and the firewall). Depending on your car there may be as many as three computers located in this compartment. Each computer has a wiring harness/connector attached to it. It is not necessary at this time to disconnect these wiring harnesses. You may, however, have to remove each silver box and the attached harness until you come to the ECU. The ECU number is 10 digits and begins with 0-261-200. On the "404" ECUs, you also need to verify that the number "1744050" is also printed on a label on the ECU cover. Click here for chip installation instructions.
  • transmission type (manual or automatic)
  • production date of your car (located on the driver's door jam)


    • 1995 E34 530i/540i (cars produced after 12/94)
  • verify that the ECU number is 0 261 203 484. The ECU can be found in a large black plastic enclosure in the engine compartment. There is usually 2-3 silver boxes in the enclosure (depending on your model and optional equipment). Each silver box has a wiring harness/connector attached to it. It is not necessary at this time to disconnect these wiring harnesses. You may, however, have to remove each silver box and the attached harness until you come to the ECU. Click here for chip installation instructions.
  • transmission type (manual or automatic)
  • n addition, Turner Motorsport needs the original/factory chip from the ECU. This will have to be removed and sent to us so that we can copy the code from the EWS-II software. We only need your chip for 1 day. Both the original and the new Performance Chip will be returned promptly. Note we only need the chip from your car's computer - we do not need the computer itself. If you send us the computer for a chip install an $75 charge will apply for removal of the stock chip and installation of the Performance Chip.


    • 1989-90 525i/iT (M20 12-valve engine)
  • ECU number. This should end in 173, 380, 524, or 525. The ECU is located in a black compartment on the passenger side of the engine bay (between the strut tower and the firewall). Depending on your car there may be as many as three computers located in this compartment. Each computer has a wiring harness/connector attached to it. It is not necessary at this time to disconnect these wiring harnesses. You may, however, have to remove each computer and the wiring harness until you come to the ECU. The ECU number is 10 digits and begins with 0-261-200.
  • transmission type (manual or automatic)


    • 1991-92 525i/iT (M50 24-valve non-VANOS engine)
  • ECU number. This should end in 402, 403, or 405. The ECU is located in a black compartment on the passenger side of the engine bay (between the strut tower and the firewall). Depending on your car there may be as many as three computers located in this compartment. Each computer has a wiring harness/connector attached to it. It is not necessary at this time to disconnect these wiring harnesses. You may, however, have to remove each computer and the wiring harness until you come to the ECU. The ECU number is 10 digits and begins with 0-261-200.


    • 1993-94 525i/iT (M50TU 24-valve with VANOS)
  • no information from your car is necessary


    • 1995 525i/iT (M50TU 24-valve with VANOS)
  • production date (located on driver's door jam, MM/YY format)


    • E36 3-series

    1992-12/94 318i/is/iC
  • ECU number. This should end in 282, or 990. The ECU is located just forward of the glovebox but inside the engine compartment. On the firewall behind the passenger side shock tower in the engine compartment is foam rubber shielding. Remove that and the black plastic cover behind it. Slide out the ECU and copy down the Bosch part number (a ten digit number that starts with 0-261-200). For further assistance refer to this page: http://www.turnermotorsport.com/t-tech-e36-ecu-removal-instructions.aspx
  • transmission type (manual or automatic)
  • NOTE: on a very small amount of E36 318 computers the stock chip is soldered in place. In this case, TMS does not have a chip and it's not recommended to attempt de-soldering of the stock chip. This is only in about 5% of the 318s in North America but it is suggested that you check your computer for the soldered chip before ordering.


    • 1995 318i/is/ti/iC
  • ECU number. This should end in 282, 357, or 990. The ECU is located just forward of the glovebox but inside the engine compartment. On the firewall behind the passenger side shock tower in the engine compartment is foam rubber shielding. Remove that and the black plastic cover behind it. Slide out the ECU and copy down the Bosch part number (a ten digit number that starts with 0-261-200). For further assistance refer to this page: http://www.turnermotorsport.com/t-tech-e36-ecu-removal-instructions.aspx
  • transmission type (manual or automatic)
  • production date (located on driver's door jam, MM/YY format)
  • NOTE: on a very small amount of E36 318 computers the stock chip is soldered in place. In this case, TMS does not have a chip and it's not recommended to attempt de-soldering of the stock chip. This is only in about 5% of the 318s in North America but it is suggested that you check your computer for the soldered chip before ordering.


    • 1992 325i/is
  • ECU number. This should end in 402, 403, or 405. The ECU is located just forward of the glovebox but inside the engine compartment. On the firewall behind the passenger side shock tower in the engine compartment is foam rubber shielding. Remove that and the black plastic cover behind it. Slide out the ECU and copy down the Bosch part number (a ten digit number that starts with 0-261-200). For further assistance refer to this page: http://www.turnermotorsport.com/t-tech-e36-ecu-removal-instructions.aspx


    • 1993-94 325i/is
  • no information from your car is necessary


    • 1995 325i/is
  • production date (located on the driver's door jam, MM/YY format)
  • NOTE: there are several versions of this chip based on the modifications done to the car. See the item listing for the list of available chips or call Turner Motorsport for more info.


    • 1995 M3
  • production date (located on the driver's door jam, MM/YY format)
  • NOTE: there are several versions of this chip based on the modifications done to the car. See the item listing for the list of available chips or call Turner Motorsport for more info.



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