Well folks I am the guy that Jaythro is referring to regarding the 2008 FD fitting onto my 04 GS.....
As stated I aquired a 2008 FD & fitted it to my 04 GS, perfect fit....only one problem no ABS or Speedo!
Tried fitting 04 loom c/w ABS sensor to 08 FD but completely different sensor, wouldn't fit into the FD at all...
Straight to local BMW dealer who tried all sorts of fixes to get my bike to read the 08 ABS sensor even tried an 05 ABS sensor with no luck. Local BMW Services manager contacted BMW UK Technical & they confirmed that the 08 ABS sensor was entirely different from the 04 model & most definately wouldn't be compatible with my 04 bike!
It transpires BMW made an upgraded FD in 2005 which fits 04 - 06 models, with drain plug & upgraded bevil.
Ended up having to buy & fit the new 05 FD (with new 2 year warranty) off local dealer to get my bike back on the road, with the help of a partial good will gesture from BMW Uk!
Bike well out of warranty but only 20,450 miles on clock & kept in mint condition.
A very costly, frustrating & time consuming fix....
£275 for the 08 FD I bought, £518 for the new 05 FD which didn't include the £365 partial good will gesture from BMW UK.
Had also originally bought a second hand wheel carrier at £50 when 04 FD had gone wonky but didn't solve the problem obviously!
£843 in total to get bike back on the road & that was with discount & the help of a very good BMW crazy friend.
A new FD with BMW fitting (because they won't sell them to customers over the counter) will cost you in excess of £900 plus.
I am selling my 2008 FD for the price I payed for it if anyone interested, always good to have as a spare incase you happen to be one of the unlucky FD victims!
£275 plus P&P....roughly £18.50 which includes postal insurance. Absolute Bargain! Hope this clears up your ABS compatibility debate as far as BMW UK technical are concerened.
If anyone else can prove this wrong by reworking an FD then happy days, you should be working for BMW UK
