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Car_Girl · #3 06-07-2013, 07:10 AM

You can get the Part Number info from your local BMW dealer.

Changes in Part Numbers are made when form, fit, function or cosmetic appearance changes are made so that OEMs can trace the vintage of the parts if something goes wrong. Also, if function changes are made, that usually means there are compatibility considerations so be careful when you make your purchase.

For an amplifier, the sound tuning can be changed when improvements in sound quality are necessary, or when the head unit software is changed which affects the signal connected to the amplifier.

Also, when cost savings are implemented, there can be changes in those cases as well when a change in suppliers is made to the components which make the amplifier. So if there's a quality issue that requires knowledge how many customers are affected, the Part Number history on the product can make it easy to get a relatively accurate count. Recalls make use of Part Numbers which is why it's so important to change the Part Number when form, fit, function and cosmetic appearance changes are made.

So your best bet is to contact the dealership parts department with a Part Number in hand and ask if it's compatible with your VIN and Build Date. You should be able to confirm this way. The Part Number list at the dealers often has information which tells the parts counter person whether or not a Part Number is backwards compatible, meaning that it could be installed in the same model year vehicle since its launch or model year changeover. Some changes aren't backwards compatible which is why the VIN and Build Date would be important to have. There can be a cutoff date where any vehicle made after that date would require the new Part Number or unintentional results can and are likely to occur. Since it's more difficult to coordinate a change that has a use-up / go-to effectivity, OEMs try to avoid them because doing so causes increased and potentially unnecessary scrap and confusion due to the inconvenience of having to know which combination of parts can and cannot be used in any given vehicle that might be affected by the change.

I hope this is helpful to the OP or anyone else wondering about Part Numbers and compatibility. Please feel free to PM me if you have any further questions. I don't get logged into this forum very often but I'd be happy to try and answer any other questions you may have.

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