http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=014&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=330076671486&rd=1,1Has any one used the ones on ebay i can mate the wiring just wanted to know if they work.

Is it a BOSCH? You might want to post the exact o2 sensor you're looking at.

this is the link no name.http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=014&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=330076671486&rd=1,1

Yes, a Boach 4 lead universal will work if you are willing to soilder the leads to the existing connector.

Yes, a Boach 4 lead universal will work if you are willing to soilder the leads to the existing connector.

I remember buying universal 3 wire O2 sensors for my VW's and soldering the old connectors. I was thinking of doing the same for the BMW but am a little hesitant. Has anyone used the universal O2 sensors with success or not?

Does anyone know if these can be used to replace ANY of the four O2 sensors on the 528i? Are the sensors all the same on this car? Thanks! edit: I'm going with a Bosch universal 4 wire, not the one in the auction above.

I may be way off base on this, and if I am please let me know and explain why.

I'd be reluctant to use any O2 sensor that wasn't BMW original equip because its a very important, integral part of the engine management system. Even if the Ebay units work (the engine runs), they may not be working as well as an OEM sensor. They could be loosing the OEM's subtleties. Yes? No? Thanks.

My mechanic adviced me not to buy the universal's as it may trigger the "service engine soon" light. He said the original (bosch) are a little more expensive, but they fit the car perfectly. They ran $180 for both.

Using a 02 sensor that requires soldering of the leads to make a hook up with the connector on your BMW is a bad idea-first there is a vary small current that needs to be correct with reguards to the obc readings being accurate. When you sloder these leads the readings will not be within the range that they are with the normal leads attached from the factory-You may make this work with silver solder but not regular solder-now with that said silver solder is expensive and hard to find-may even have to have a license to obtain the stuff now.
Poolman

Want to add-have seen this explained on a number of different fourems with the same conclusions. It wiil cost you money to try and use a cheaper copy of the same 02 sensor without the right connection. You'll save money on the part-but it will get you down the road.
Poolman

A good quality universal o2 sensor will work fine if you are up to the task
of soldering the connectors on. The key being a top quality sensor ie: bosch, ntk(ngk). I have sold thousands of them over the years and as long as the connections are good the sensors operate fine. Generally the extra effort required to solder on the old connection is not worth it unless you are on a very tight budget or the only o2 sensor available is a universal one. Off brand, no name products you are probably asking for trouble. BMW does not make any o2 sensors, they are manufactured by bosch.