[JimD]

I went the "other route" for a cable and ordered the $100 one that others report success with. Lower prices are always tempting but I was concerned that it might not work and then I would be out $30. On the other hand, it might and then you will have saved $70. It seems like we should be able to buy a couple connectors and a bit of cable and solder something up for much less than $100 but I don't know where to get the diagram of what pins to connect to which pins in the two connectors. And I further understand it is different for different BMW models. The $100 cable is apparently set up for the later models but with a converter plug so you can use it for the earlier models.

Jim