IBS OEM BMW vs Hella

[hpcaub]

My 08 135i shows code "2E8E Intelligent Battery Sensor, communication." A local shop told me I need to replace the IBS cable, which is part of the negative battery cable and gave me an estimate of $500.00, which I declined and intend to do myself.

I'm finding BMW brand IBS and Hella brand IBS at PelicanParts.com. The BMW is $303.00 and the Hella brand is half that at $153.00.

Does anyone have experience with Hella or other non BMW IBS cables? I know that sometimes OEM is the way to go, and other times it doesn't make a difference. Or, is there an online BMW parts source with better OEM prices?

Also, do I have to re register my battery when I change the IBS cable?

Thanks!

[Lucky1]

I never do non-OEM on a German car (or any car for that matter) for anything electrical. Just me. Not seeing the benefit with the amount of savings vs amount of risk but of course its not my money.

Is Hella the "real" supplier? Sometimes you can buy a BMW labeled product direct from the actual manufacturer, in which case its still technically OEM and usually at a better price (no BMW brand "tax" applied).

[amg6975]

Hella is the OE supplier.

[hpcaub]

Thanks guys! AMG, which website is that? I can't find any website with prices that low.

[dawsonskipper]

Originally Posted by hpcaub

Thanks guys! AMG, which website is that? I can't find any website with prices that low.

FCPEURO.com

[hpcaub]

I ended up paying a bit more to buy from PelicanParts because they have great parts guys. I couldn't figure out why the connectors on the website looked different from the one in my car. It turns out there is an updated IBS cable that attaches to the new negative battery cable, and then to the leads the come off the IBS and connect to the battery power distrib box and another small connector.

Hopefully I'll get all parts in next week and get my battery drain issues and my codes cleared resolved.