a mate has given me a green bcm (free), will that straight swap into my std gli, so that when i start swapping to p/w, var intermittent wipers, dash etc i will b ready?
or am i better off getting a mid series blue unit?
looks like it has 3 sockets, black 10 pin, large white seperated socket - left side 26 pin - right side 22 pin.
i havnt pulled my dash yet so i dont no what plugs i have

thanks

its probably best to get a complete dash loom and you might have to get the floor loom for the power windows and steering column wiring too for the wipers. not 100% sure for gli's but i changed mine from mid to high series. while you at it you should add the bolt on bits to the heater box for the digital climate control otherwise the old manual heater and a/c wont work

so does this mean your putting a new dash in the car as in a higher series one?
if you are does the new dash have the bem with it?
if it does and thats what your doing id just wait till you pull the old dash out and put the new one in all together including the bem to suit then go from there with the power windows ect.

Otherwise i couldnt see why it wouldnt work if you just plug the new one in, as the el is all smartlock to smartlock and im pretty certain the plugs are the same shape ect theres just more wires in the high series ones?
you said the mid was a blue one is there a difference in colour again to the high series one or is that the green colour which you already have?
What colour is the one thats in the car now?
If it was a AU i could help more i did a dash swap with mine but im not so sure with the ef/el's.

Im not sure of EL, But it does plug in, Im guessing it will do nothing as you have none of the upgrades installed in the car. It might fade the interior lights out rather than just switch off. Unless EL GLI's do that anyway?

I think you may need the leave the ignition on for half an hour to let the ECU learn the BCM, and also program your keyfob so you can unlock and lock your car.