WOW! That is how much I spent on a very low mileage MB V8, wiring harness AND ECU.

Besides the VIN, I also believe information on the key is stored as well and when you turn on the key the ECU checks everything to make sure you aren't stealing the car.

If you want two ECU's you can send the used one to Beckman Technologies. They can unlock the ECU which basically tuns it into a brand new unprogrammed ECU. You can call them and discuss this. I believe they charge about $250 to do this. They told me that once I get it back, do not try to just start it. You only get three turns of the key before the ECU locks again. Once unlocked you have to use the Star Diagnostic system or Auto logix with MB module to reprogram the ECU to the car. Used ECU cannot be unlocked by the dealer or repair shop. Beckman website:

http://www.beckmanntechnologies.com/

I have heard of another option of which a guy france just posted on my V8 conversion diary, which is to unsolder the EPROM that contains the data and solder into the new ECU. this option will not give you two ECU's to use but could be an option for me. BTW, the soldering cannot be done by an inexperienced DIY'er with a solder gun!

Another way that I have been reading up on is dissabling the Immobilization. You can find some info by searching for Immo bypass or Immo disable.

Here is another site I just started to read tonight that can teach us a few things about these ECU's or see my next post

http://www.dubspeedracing.com/forums...ead.php?t=5928

My first recomendation is to call Beckman since they are in the business of making used ECU's work for people who don't want to pay thousands for a new one. Hope this helps

P.S. I was just tonight thinking we should have a ECU thread where we can post real confirmed information about our ECU's and then found this thread. If we come up with ways to deal with these ECU's, all sorts of possibilities open up!