E46 B3 ABS/wheel speed sensor help

[sshologram47]

So the rear left ABS/wheel speed sensor has gone on my e46 b3 and i cannot find the correct replacement part. I called BMW, provided both vin numbers but the 2 part numbers they have on the system are not correct. The sensor length is too short to reach the hub. BMW are unable to help further and suggested i try Sytner Nottingham but even they do not know. They emailed Alpina to ask but have not received a reply and it has been 1 week.

I have a bunch of warning lights on the dash including handbrake, abs and dsc as well as my speedo no longer working. Car drives fine though.

Now i am left to try and figure out what the part number is. Unfortunately the existing one has no part number so i have been manually going through all e46 part numbers i can find to try and figure out what it is.

The part numbers i have tried so far (listed on BMW system but incorrect). The sensor length on these is too short at 23mm and it should be longer.
34521164370
34526752683

I have now ordered 34521166126 and am hoping it is correct. Even if this part is 3 times the price of the other 2 (around £260!!!)

Someone must have come across this issue before? Are these sensors different on Alpinas to BMWs? I would really appreciate some help and information if anyone has it. Thanks

[Adwo]

If your car is based on the 330i you need these ABS sensors because the 330i uses different trailing arms from the 328i based Alpina 3.3.

I hope the part number is correct as this is listed as being valid from 09.2000 till 09.2001 build dates..

ETK is not really clear, but looks like 34526752702 after that..

Next time buy OE Bosch and save a ton of money..

Cheers,

Adwo

[simon13]

agreed knowing what the base car used is important for general BMW parts that have failed

[sshologram47]

So it looks like 34521166126 is the correct part as the sensor is much longer.

I guess this also means my b3 is based on 330i model which is good to know. But i find it very strange BMW didnt know this when i provided then with both vin numbers...

Will get the sensor fitted this week which will hopefully fix the speedo and all the warning lights. Thanks for your help and info gents!

[Charles]

Bit late to this chat but if you type the 7 figure BMW VIN into Real OEM, it will tell you what the donor car was.

[sshologram47]

Bit late to this chat but if you type the 7 figure BMW VIN into Real OEM, it will tell you what the donor car was.

I just did this and it shows my b3 as a 328i. But Adwo mentioned the part number i have now which looks correct is listed for a 330i. Weird...

Should get it fitted fri/sat just hoping it works!

[MickB3]

Bit late to this chat but if you type the 7 figure BMW VIN into Real OEM, it will tell you what the donor car was.

I just did this and it shows my b3 as a 328i. But Adwo mentioned the part number i have now which looks correct is listed for a 330i. Weird...

Should get it fitted fri/sat just hoping it works!

There can be some crossover. Mine is a 2000 and based on a 328i But it has 330i brakes.

[Charles]

Good old Alpina

[Adwo]

For future reference: when in doubt which ABS sensors you need you can just check the size of the rear brake rotors.

The 330i discs are 320 mm versus 294 mm for the 328i based cars.

HTH,

Adwo