Hi Dave,
I asked Duncan a similar question recently and this was his very informative reply
A
T4 is needed, whatever you do. The big sticking point is a new or used part. With a new part you can simply connect it, connect the
T4 and the
T4 will recognise the new one and program it accordingly. With a used one, you can't do that. You have to turn it back into a new one by changing the memory by reprogramming it or replacing the chip that holds the data. I know how you are supposed to reprogram it but have never had the time to try it. David replaces the chips on them. You have to be careful with a new one, not to fit it and drive anywhere before
T4, otherwise it becomes used, and
T4 still can't do it.
Regarding versions, for the UK there are basically four versions. Petrol and diesel, with and without trip computer. You have trip computer if you had trafficmaster. The trafficmaster is a little black box, the rest is inside the IPK
(Instrument pack (IPK from the German)). The big difference is the display. The trip computer version has a little LCD that displays symbols and messages. The non-trip just has LEDs behind fixed symbols.
There are of course then different coloured LEDs, different panels, MG versions and so on, but the basic variants are the same.
Watch out if you buy used, either see it lit up, or get a cast iron guarantee the display doesn't have 'lines' of dead pixels. They can't be repaired (or at least no-one I know has ever managed).
