ECU Question

#1

I see people are using different ECUs. I’m running 173, but I see a lot of people using the 153. I tried to search here and on REV forums, but can’t seem to figure out what makes them different.

Can anybody help out?

#2

153 is an older design which came with 87s (or earlier?) It’s a two board design inside the box.

173 is newer and came with 89s(?) and is a single board design with more integrated electronics. Seems to control the idle better.

I was having surging idle problem with my original 153 and finally swapped the DME to 173 (ebay $50) and that solved the problem.

I don’t know what other improvements were added to 173s.

That’s about all I know.

#3

153 = Motronic 1.0
173 = Motronic 1.1

… I think.

#4

TheRedBaron wrote:

[quote]153 = Motronic 1.0
173 = Motronic 1.1

… I think.[/quote]

82 = Moronic

:laugh:

#5

325i/is/iX E30 M20/B25 (170hp) 87-91 0 261 200 153 Bosch Motronic M1.1

325i/is/iX E30 M20/B25 (170hp) 87-91 0 261 200 173 Bosch Motronic M1.3

#6

ok, so essentially they are the same as far as what they do

#7

Yeah, interchangeable.

#8

The 153 units had a reputation for some cold solder joints on the boards that caused weird driveability problems. A spare ECU is a good idea no matter what the number.
The motronic 1.3 can flash more codes at you than the 1.1