ok:

This one shows the plug I am plugging into the TCU


This one shows the VR jumper thinggy?


This one shows what USED to plug into the black motorla box in the trunk:


And this shows another box of bits which I have so far left untouched:


I am still waiting for the BT antenna from BMW.

Thanks in advace if you can help me to make this work!

and number 1 on here is exactly what I took out (black plastic box with Motorola sticker on it!)

RealOEM.com * BMW E46 325i Single parts, SA 632, trunk

You seem to have most of the ingredients of a working install, but I'm curious how this

Was plugged into that

Without an adaptor?

NEvertheless, You need to do this

And check say 50% of the wires match up with the list I posted.

they were not plugged together. The 54pin was unplugged under the lining. The round pin thing was plugged into the black motorola box.

I was told the 54 pin connects directly into the TCU - presume this is not right then?

I'm still unsure how to check the wiring with your list - my technical know how is not that great I am afraid

ok, 54 pin adaptor is now apart, just uploading the pics....

OK So as I understand it the car has both the DB25 and 54 pin in the harness? That's a new one on me, usually the car has one or the other, and adaptors in beween.

Before sliding back the 54 pin harness as shown in the photo and checking the wiring colours against the list (you can see each pin is numbered and the wire colours are given in the form RT/SW which is a red wire with a Schwarz [black] stripe), try an see how the DB25 and 54pin coexist in the same harness.

Follow the loom and check to see if the wires are split near the wheel arch and available to both connectors or something. It could be that you have two looms and the 54 pin one isn't plugged in behind the dash perhaps, or perhaps both connectors are wired up. You really do have a setup I haven't seen before, and your car must have been built on the changeover point.

Do you have a multimeter? Is an essential tool and available from the market or Wilkinsons for a fiver. Get one tht has the extra set of sockets for measuring current.

yes I have a meter here - see images above for pin numbers and colours.

I will try to follow the loom back - in the wheel arch is all goes into one which is all taped up - where would it go from here - under the armrest? dash?

thanks for your help!

ok so the pins dont match your chart - should I change them so they do?