ECS News

One of the few perennial faults with the legendary BMW Inline-6 is the solenoid valve on VANOS equipped vehicles. Trouble codes are thrown that cannot be resolved with a simple OBD II reset, leaving many owners convinced their engine is permanently sick. In truth, the remedy is simple and inexpensive - the replacement of the VANOS valve itself. And with our accompanying instructional PDF, your project will take less than an hour to complete.

The specialty tool experts at Schwaben have released a series of superbly engineered, exceptionally reliable car ramps, now available from ECS tuning. The new 30" to 67" Car Ramps are available with a regular or low-profile design. Specially made to accommodate vehicles with low bumper clearance, the low-profile ramps eliminate the risk of body damage & the dangers of sliding ramps. These Schwaben Ramps are made from advanced EPS (expanded polystyrene) foam with a special anti-skid coating, preventing sliding while adding additional structural strength.

Schwaben Specialty Tools is known for releasing clever, highly useful automotive tools that make owning a European car less frustrating and more fun. Two new exciting product releases - the Mechanic's Stethoscope and the Scraper, Pick and Hook set - are superb examples of Schwaben reliability and ingenuity. Featuring an aluminum probe & rubber trumpet, the Schwaben Stethoscope makes finding vacuum leaks, pressure flow noises, and knocks infinitely more simple. The Scraper, Hook And Pick Set is an indispensable kit with endless uses, from carbon cleaning to picking out o-rings.

If you're increasing the power of your N54, it is probable that your factory clutch is wearing at a higher rate than anticipated by BMW. The most reliable and best performing solution is an OEM replacement with a clutch from a higher-output BMW model. ECS offers 135i, 335i, and 535i owners the option of installing the factory specification clutch assembly from the 8-cylinder 550i and high performance 335is. Genuine BMW parts mean unparalleled reliability with stock pedal feel and usability.

The European style dedicated fog light switch is simpler and smarter than the North American assembly. An especially classy and convenient addition to your BMW, the fog light switch gives you needed control of your visibility to following drivers. Installation video makes this OEM replacement a breeze.

The N52 Euro Airbox takes the hassle out of air filter inspections and changes. This black beauty is built for speed. It ships complete with a larger, cylindrical filter element that more than doubles filter surface area for improved air flows and greater dirt holding capacity. There's more. Compared to the US spec box, filter inspections are a snap. Just pop the cover and change the element; way easier than the stock box. The sleek matte black housing bolts in like it was factory installed and accepts your US spec MAF sensor with no mods required. Act soon while they last.

A true sign of an experienced automotive enthusiast is an attention to and appreciation for high-quality brakes. Similar to the function of quality tires, great brakes allow the driver to realize the full potential of other performance modifications. Massive 13.3 inch rotors and a 6 piston caliper arrangement allow you to brake later before turns, reduce fade that can upset the stability of the car under braking, and most importantly, match the confidence you have in your vehicle's power with equal trust in your ability to control it.

Give 'em what they really want the most: cold, hard cash. Buy a traditional ECS Tuning plastic gift card and include it as a sweet surprise for a special someone. Need something fast? We have an entirely new virtual gift card for last-minute shoppers (and those who don't want to wait for delivery of a plastic card). Just order an ECS virtual gift card in any denomination from 5 to 1000 dollars, and we'll fire it off to your email box in minutes. Then pass it along to friend or family member and let them activate the card and order anything they like from the ECS site.

Make wearing your seat belt more comfortable and add a little Motorsports style to your car at the same time. Goes over your factory seat belt and adds a layer of extra cushion to make wearing your seat belt on longer road trips, or track days, more comfortable. 5" in width, 12" in length for long-lasting comfort.

Reduce weight. Reduce heat. Reduce warping. ECS Tuning engineered 2-Piece semi-floating rotors offer real world benefits that can be felt on both the street and track! Our 2-Piece rotors combine the advantages of weight savings and rapid heat dissipation to provide a rotor superior to stock while preventing warping and extending component life. The reduction of unsprung weight improves handling characteristics under all situations. This reduction in rotational inertia allows for quicker acceleration, decreased braking distances, and more responsive handling.

A highly effective method of unseating over-tightened or corroded screws and bolts, the impact driver accomplishes two important tasks with the blow of a hammer—positively engaging the bolt or screw head while twisting it counter-clockwise. Stripping a critical bolt or screw can stop your project in its tracks, and necessitate hours of tedious labor. Choose the tool professionals use for the job, and leave time for more enjoyable pursuits.

The Fumoto 14mm oil drain valve replaces your Volkswagen or Audi OE drain plug for fast, easy oil changes. Its spring-loaded valve has a quick release tab that makes changing oil a snap. Just push and turn to drain. All metal construction assures years of trouble-free service. Includes a threaded brass extension for oil pans with recessed drain plugs. A good idea. Long overdue.

The Fumoto 12mm oil drain valve replaces your BMW OE drain plug for fast, easy oil changes. Its spring-loaded valve has a quick release tab that makes changing oil a snap. Just push and turn to drain. All metal construction assures years of trouble-free service. Includes a threaded brass extension for oil pans with recessed drain plugs. A good idea. Long overdue.

Most of us have to admit to sleeping through a chemistry class--or two--after a rough night. The good news is the Chemical Guys didn't. Now they've put the power of Raw Science to work in a complete professional detailing car care line that combines surface-safe cleaners with lasting protectants and sealers. Stop squirting dish detergent into a bucket. Remove the toughest dirt--even from alloy wheels--and restore your car's exterior and interior finishes to a rich, lasting luster.

See and feel the difference with ECS Tuning 2-Piece rotors. Lightweight aluminum hats pared with cross-drilled and slotted cast-iron friction provide the best of both worlds in braking performance. Aluminum reduces inertial mass, improving steering feel, acceleration, and deceleration. Cast iron has immense thermal capacities and great wear characteristics. 2-Piece semi-floating construction ensures the two materials work together in concert. What does this mean? Traffic-stopping looks and fade-free stops, every time.

Worried about that really bad storm? The mother of all blizzards where your all seasons tires don't get it done, and there are more cars in the ditch than on the road? Rest easy. We have a solution: ISSE Textile Tire Chains. So light a child can lift them. Easy to install no matter where you are. Just slip them over your tires, and get instant traction. Available in different grades depending on frequency of use, in sizes for most vehicles. Keep a set in your trunk so you can stop worrying and get a grip when winter gets ugly.

When it comes to your car the best way to begin modifying it is a nice set of wheels. Picking the right ones can prove to be a challenging process in achieving the look you desire, but what if you were able to have options? Right now ECS Tuning is bringing you those options with pricing you can justify and allowing you to shoe shop with confidence. (Fitment for E39 models will require hub adapters)

Now you can tighten nuts and bolts like a pro with a Schwaben torque wrench. Our 1/2-inch drive is great for general purpose repairs; the 3/8-drive wrench has a 5-80 ft-lb range for smaller jobs.These chrome plated wrenches have a reversible ratcheting head with locking adjustment barrel, and come in a sturdy blow-molded case to keep them clean and safe between jobs. Auto repair professionals understand the importance of properly torqued fasteners. Too tight, and the fastener may be weakened and break. Too loose and things come apart. Do it once. Do it right. Schwaben.

Rule #1: Use the right tool for the job. These brake caliper tools from Schwaben are essential for changing your pads or bleeding your brake fluid in your German automobile. If your caliper pistons need to be simply pressed back in, or if they're threaded and require screwing back in, we've got the caliper piston tool you want. Bleeding your brakes? Our Schwaben brake bleeder wrench makes it so easy, you can even do it without having to remove your wheels! Make sure you're prepared with the right tool for the job with these Brake Caliper Essentials from Schwaben Tools.

European car owners oftentimes find themselves using ineffective, dangerous, & cumbersome methods when repairing or replacing wiring harness connectors. Schwaben's European Car Electrical Terminal Tool Kit, gives enthusiasts the exact tools required for bullet connectors, common ABS sensor and power connectors, trailer light plugs, and more. Extend harness life, ensure proper diagnostic equipment connectivity, and preserve wiring harness life with this superb tool.

Ever tried removing a radio trim bezel with a screwdriver or metal putty knife? Ugly. Ineffective. Metal prying tools gouge, scratch, and crack expensive interior parts adding needless cost and aggravation to any repair or accessory installation requiring trim panel removal. Stop the madness. Invest in one of our affordable trim removal kits. Large kit or small, our trim removal tools are made of tough, non-marring molded plastic, brightly colored so you won't leave them behind when the job is done. Do it right. Do it faster. Schwaben.

Make sure your plugs are firing at voltage levels that ensure optimal combustion and peak performance. If your old coils are tired and unable to do the job, an ignition service kit from ECS Tuning will put some zap in the gap when you need it most. Our ignition service kits are easy to install and come with everything you need to restore secondary ignition efficiency firing at voltage levels sure to get the most from each and every power stroke.

Make sure your plugs are firing at voltage levels that ensure optimal combustion and peak performance. If your old coils are tired and unable to do the job, an ignition service kit from ECS Tuning will put some zap in the gap when you need it most. Our ignition service kits are easy to install and come with everything you need to restore secondary ignition efficiency firing at voltage levels sure to get the most from each and every power stroke.

Today's BMWs represent the finest achievements in automotive engineering, skillfully balancing the needs of daily driving with the demands of performance driving. For owners that wish to push their cars towards the limits of performance, ECS offers genuine BMW and aftermarket lightened, heat-dissipating, & fade-reducing front brake rotors to help reign in the thrill of aggressive driving. Cross-drilled and slotted offerings are available, along with fade-reducing & corrosion resistant upgrades. All products are direct-fit replacements, requiring no modification for installation.

Our aluminum wheel hanger makes it easy to remove and install wheels. Just thread the hanger stud into a wheel bolt hole and hang the wheel safely while you rotate tires or remove them for service or vehicle repair. It's also great for keeping wheel bolt holes aligned on cars with spacers. Our improved hanger is made of 6061 aluminum, anodized for hardness and good looks. The knurled, non-slip handle has a drilled hole so you can hang it on a pegboard hook in your garage. Better still, order two: one for your garage and another for the emergency tool kit in your trunk.

The N52 Euro Airbox takes the hassle out of air filter inspections and changes. This black beauty is built for speed. It ships complete with a larger, cylindrical filter element that more than doubles filter surface area for improved air flows and greater dirt holding capacity. There's more. Compared to the US spec box, filter inspections are a snap. Just pop the cover and change the element; way easier than the stock box. The sleek matte black housing bolts in like it was factory installed and accepts your US spec MAF sensor with no mods required. Act soon while they last.

These brawny socket sets are great sets to have on-hand for any European car owner. The hefty ½ inch-drive shank accepts breaker bars, impact guns, or torque wrenches. Specially hardened to take the added abuse from an impact gun, these sockets are also coated for added protection and so you can tell them apart from non impact rated sockets. Significant internal depth allows for use with a range of applications with varying length shafts. These sockets are tough enough to get the job done.

If you spend time and money renewing your brake hardware and linings, you ought to consider upgrading to ECS Tuning Exact Fit brake hoses, and do the job right. These premium brake hoses are engineered to be stronger, more durable, and better protected than the originals. Exact-Fit Line have a tough Teflon inner core, shielded in stainless steel mesh reinforcement, then coated with bright red vinyl for added protection. Available by the axle for front or rear, or as a complete vehicle set, our DOT-approved, tailored hoses fit like OE for hassle-free installation.

You've hit the jackpot with the Schwaben European Essentials Tool Set. Never again will you be cursing the unique fasteners on your European automobile. Instead, you'll take to the task like a conquistador of cars. The garage is your El Dorado. Featuring swivel-head triple-square bits, Torx screwdrivers, one hundred specialty fasteners and the sturdiest screwdriver set you'll lay hands on, this kit will make you feel like a king. Each tool rests in its own place in molded cases, helping you keep track of your investment. The Schwaben Essentials kit is worth its weight in gold.

If your exterior air temperature sensor is lying all the time, odds are it took a direct hit from a flying object, or rammed its head against a concrete curb. If you're lucky, plugging in a new sensor will set things straight. Problem is, in many cases the sensor, its electrical connector, and a good chunk of wiring are laying out on the highway. That's why we put together a kit that lets you repair the sensor and its circuit with a factory connector, plus extra wire so you can move it to a safer location, out of harm's way. Our free tutorial shows you how.