Afternoon all,
After many years using VAG-COM diagnostics on all my VWs and Audis, I am now after a similar setup for the X5.
Question is, which one do I go for?
Anyone use these for fault codes/adaption etc?
P.A soft?
Ediabas?
Is there anywhere to download the software?
Cheers
Jay
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Best home diagnostic software
Re: Best home diagnostic software
Jay,
I have & a Peake R5/FCX3-16. I think the earliest cars need an adapter or an earlier round pin equipped unit. Its by no means definitive in fault finding but I am sure you know more than me re the limitations of results at times. Easy to use, plugs straight in, no need for laptops, cables, complex cables & adaptors. Ideal for basic fault pointers, service light resets, (if required), or simply to help verify findings of others. It tells you what it sees & can list several codes in sequence but it does not have the ability to store old data - i.e no data logging of historic codes. It also doesn't reset the brake fluid change lamp on my Z3 !
A seperate Peake unit is required for airbag resets.
As for laptop based kit Carsoft seems popular........I believe there are other suppliers than the site in the highlighted link. There can be some compatability issues in abscence of correct cables - more discussion re this on bmwland - If not a member you may have to register to use forum search facility against values such say Peake or Carsoft.
Never heard of anyone who has used the ELM kit so cant comment.
The two official suppliers as highlighted have info re various protocols - essentially the protocol, for BMW codes is encrypted in Hex & thus many generic readers are of little use.
With your G60 efforts past & X5 work to date I have no doubt that your knowledge and ability is overall far far greater than mine - I know you have used VAG laptop softwaree previously & thus expect others to be asking your advice re BMW computer diagnostics before too long
The sites linked above & others have plentiful info re diagnostics & OBD2 you may also find the following clicky worth a read
Hope the above helps.
Polite request to others : In my admin role can I please ask that any folk keen to help Jay to refrain from posting details of any questionable sources of software on this thread, (however, kind the intention)........Just to be 100% clear - nobody has done this here & my polite request is so as to avoid legal liability for this site- Thanks in advance for hopeful understanding.
I have & a Peake R5/FCX3-16. I think the earliest cars need an adapter or an earlier round pin equipped unit. Its by no means definitive in fault finding but I am sure you know more than me re the limitations of results at times. Easy to use, plugs straight in, no need for laptops, cables, complex cables & adaptors. Ideal for basic fault pointers, service light resets, (if required), or simply to help verify findings of others. It tells you what it sees & can list several codes in sequence but it does not have the ability to store old data - i.e no data logging of historic codes. It also doesn't reset the brake fluid change lamp on my Z3 !
A seperate Peake unit is required for airbag resets.
As for laptop based kit Carsoft seems popular........I believe there are other suppliers than the site in the highlighted link. There can be some compatability issues in abscence of correct cables - more discussion re this on bmwland - If not a member you may have to register to use forum search facility against values such say Peake or Carsoft.
Never heard of anyone who has used the ELM kit so cant comment.
The two official suppliers as highlighted have info re various protocols - essentially the protocol, for BMW codes is encrypted in Hex & thus many generic readers are of little use.
With your G60 efforts past & X5 work to date I have no doubt that your knowledge and ability is overall far far greater than mine - I know you have used VAG laptop softwaree previously & thus expect others to be asking your advice re BMW computer diagnostics before too long
The sites linked above & others have plentiful info re diagnostics & OBD2 you may also find the following clicky worth a read
Hope the above helps.
Polite request to others : In my admin role can I please ask that any folk keen to help Jay to refrain from posting details of any questionable sources of software on this thread, (however, kind the intention)........Just to be 100% clear - nobody has done this here & my polite request is so as to avoid legal liability for this site- Thanks in advance for hopeful understanding.
Gone - 2002 E53 X5 4.4i Sport (Pre Facelift) Owned 2006-2016.
Site & Forum Admin Team Member.
Site & Forum Admin Team Member.
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g60renshaw
- Member
- Posts: 162
- Joined: Mon Sep 27, 2010 1:13 pm
Re: Best home diagnostic software
Thanks as always for the info and kind words mate.
I have bitten the bullet and bought a suitable cable from fleebay which comes with some software to cover the X53, so we will see how that works.
I have a copy of the Carsoft software too, so should be able to try that with the cable and I may have a friend who has the Ediabas software, so I should be able to test out all the options and see which is best
Will keep you all posted. Hopefully if all goes well I will be able to perform adaptions, key coding, system changes etc.. as I can with VAG-COM.
Jay
I have bitten the bullet and bought a suitable cable from fleebay which comes with some software to cover the X53, so we will see how that works.
I have a copy of the Carsoft software too, so should be able to try that with the cable and I may have a friend who has the Ediabas software, so I should be able to test out all the options and see which is best
Will keep you all posted. Hopefully if all goes well I will be able to perform adaptions, key coding, system changes etc.. as I can with VAG-COM.
Jay
Re: Best home diagnostic software
Depending on how it works Jay lett us know of the costs and where to but etc if you don't mind mate.I have the peake code reader like AW8's and has proved usefull though not often used.
54 PLATE E53 3.0d X5 FACELIFT BLACK WITH BLACK
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g60renshaw
- Member
- Posts: 162
- Joined: Mon Sep 27, 2010 1:13 pm
Re: Best home diagnostic software
I will hopefully get all the bits by the weekend and if I get chance will try it all out.
Seems straight forward enough to me, so I am cautiously optimistic.
Obviously I will post my findings on here.
Jay
Seems straight forward enough to me, so I am cautiously optimistic.
Obviously I will post my findings on here.
Jay
Re: Best home diagnostic software
g60renshaw, how did you get on with the kit?
Re: Best home diagnostic software
I had carsoft and sold it on recently due to lack to programming options, tho its very very easy to use. I also have BMW scanner 1.4.0 and INPA/GT1
BMW scanner is very good and programming options are good and fairly easy to use. (Paid around £80)
INPA/GT1 very very powerful bit of kit, can do much more than BMW scanner (i.e smooth running controller test for injectors, reprogramme rain sensor, programme second hand modules to your car etc) but not as easy to use and you need to be careful when learning the software as mentioned it can erase/reprogramme all the modules etc (Paid £30)
BMW scanner is very good and programming options are good and fairly easy to use. (Paid around £80)
INPA/GT1 very very powerful bit of kit, can do much more than BMW scanner (i.e smooth running controller test for injectors, reprogramme rain sensor, programme second hand modules to your car etc) but not as easy to use and you need to be careful when learning the software as mentioned it can erase/reprogramme all the modules etc (Paid £30)
2001 X5 3.0d sport