O2 sensor choice??

[BigBlack48is]

So after driving 2000 miles this previous week and monitoring everything with Torque, I have came to the conclusion that my bank 2 sensor 2 is gone. It would just stick on lean after 10 minutes of expressway driving after every stop for gas... so it sounds like it is time to change it out.

I see all kinds of options out there including the "universal 4 wire" option that I am assuming you chop and splice the existing wire... anyone have any luck going this route? or do anyone have any words of wisdom to share when changing the O2 sensors in our beasts?

Thanks for your help

[tmv]

I would replace it with the same one (brand and type) that came with the X from the factory.

[bcredliner]

[BigBlack48is]

I just have a hard time paying double for something that I KNOW is the same...

I can follow some directions and splice some wires to save myself $100


I guess I'm not the typical BMW owner

[bcredliner]

sum tims ya jus gota git dat good wud ifen u don wan the stov ta smok ya outa yur hous

Billy Bob 6

[BigBlack48is]

Whoa.....

[tmv]

Originally Posted by BigBlack48is

I just have a hard time paying double for something that I KNOW is the same...
I can follow some directions and splice some wires to save myself $100
I guess I'm not the typical BMW owner

When you say the same, does that mean same brand and type? If so, go for it. If the same means all O2 sensors from different manufactures are the same, then to each one's own.
I'm all for saving some $$$, but not in this case. O2 sensor is 100k miles maintenance item. Saving $1 every 1K miles isn't worth it for me, especially when correct air/fuel mixture is based on the performance of the O2 sensor.

[BigBlack48is]

I am @ 100k miles on the clock... You would replace all 4 instead of just the one failing?

[Ricky Bobby]

I would replace the failing sensor with OE item, not universal. o2 sensors aren't necessarily "scheduled maintenance" they usually get replaced when throwing codes for failing

[tmv]

I would do the pre-cat O2 sensors which control air/fuel mixture. The post cats are there to monitor the performance of the cats, and have nothing to do with proper air/fuel mixture.
J, even when you have no code, they can still get "lazy" and throw off the mixture.