Is the BMW Parts CD worth buying?

[im3crazy]

I've used the RealOEM and the Max sites for parts ID. Are these sites fairly accurate, or should I purchase the BMW parts CD. How useful and complete is the CD vs. the sites? Are these CDs available from anyone other than the dealer??

Thanks,

[MatthewCervi]

Just stick with the online references. The parts CD is ancient.

[JerryC]

The parts CD uses the exact same pictures that Max and RealOEM use.

[c.d.iesel]

.." the parts CD uses the exact same pictures

that Max and RealOEM use " = it's really the other way round

the BMW Mobil Tradition Parts Catalogue operates

on 'older' computer operating systems than most of you

are typing on presently - so running it might be F.U.B.A.R..

But if you can run it - it's better than NO PARTS catalog

this same parts catalogue CD also covers many pre-1972

BMW notorcycles, Isetta, 700, and other early BMW cars

so it's reference value to some is great.

[john_a]

You don't want the old Mobile Tradition CD, just get the newer EPC 1.1 or later which has all the new cars, BMW + Mini catalog AND has the Mobile Tradition catalog in there. It runs fine on Windows XP (can't vouch for other OS.)

The EPC is better than the online catalog because it is faster, and easier to search usages & lists of standard parts. Like if I want to look at how many different M8x25 bolts BMW has (regardless of year & model) you can search directly for 'standard parts' by name. See screen shot below for a portion of the M8 Hex Bolt selection. You can always find good hardware alternatives in here.

The EPC is very useful for checking usages (find what other cars use the same part you selected.) Curious that BMW uses many parts for a LONG time, like my 1976 2002 has the same park brake handle grip as my 1998 E36 (amazing that it looks appropriate in both interiors.) I've got price list file loaded into the EPC, but it's a little out of date (easy enought to check BMWNA list prices online when needed.)

The EPC also works well with the TIS CD, which contains all the service info, repair instruction, tech data, tightening torques, etc.. Run both applications at once and it can transfer the VIN selection.

Now for the 2002 parts, there is NO substitute for the PAPER parts books.

All of the electronic catalogs are incomplete compared to the original books, which have more complete details on what fit each special application.

Even though I've just said how good the EPC 1.1 or later is, I do really need to update to the newer DVD based EPC that superseded the kind I have now. Anyone have that installed and can say how it works?

[allbim]

Where can I buy the EPC? Is it the same as the one the dealers use?

My local BMW dealer says that's not for sale.

W. B.

[tjones02]

I use RealOEM, Maxi's site and the BMW EPC/ETK on a daily basis, BUT when I want detailed '02 parts information I turn to the most complete source available. I downloaded the PDF file of the complete '02 parts manuals from the tiiregister.com..... FOR FREE!

http://www.thetiiregister.com/phpmyfaq/index.php?sid=1153413〈=en&action=artikel&cat=220447&id=62&artlang=en

[shipm_8]

After I downloaded the parts catalog form the tii register, I ran the .pdf file through Acrobat's optical character recognition to make searches easier. fwiw....William

[jgerock]

After I downloaded the parts catalog form the tii register, I ran the .pdf file through Acrobat's optical character recognition to make searches easier. fwiw....William

I've never heard of that Adobe option - please elaborate since I have the .pdf from the tii registry.

[RandyMolson]

I've never heard of that Adobe option - please elaborate since I have the .pdf from the tii registry.

You would need the Adobe pdf Writer (which is not free) to do that. It would be a "save as txt/doc" or "export to txt/doc" type of command in the Writer.

[jgerock]

I have Adobe Reader 6.0.

[shipm_8]

On the (paid) version of Acrobat Pro (not the Reader), it's Document>OCR Text Recognition>Recognize Text using OCR. It leaves the document as a .pdf, which you can search. You can then export to a file in any of various formats, but there is probably no reason to do that.

 

Edited August 31, 2016 by shipm_8

[jgerry2002]

After I downloaded the parts catalog form the tii register, I ran the .pdf file through Acrobat's optical character recognition to make searches easier. fwiw....William

You know, when I scanned the parts books and created this parts pdf project, I never thought to do this... and the option was there the WHOLE time.

What version of Adobe Acrobat did you use?

I may look into updating this pdf if the OCR stuff will help with searching.

[shipm_8]

Justin,

I use version 8.1.3 of Acrobat Professional for the Mac. Normally use it to create .pdf files in an effort to stay as paperless as possible, but this OCR function is really nice for large files you use repeatedly. Once the file is OCR'd, if you want to search for a p/n, just put it in the format 00 00 0 000 000 on the search box.

William