Trifecta simple question

[AV8R4AA]

I got my ABS repair report summary back from Module Masters. It was repairable and had some faults.
The report was very detailed and informative.
I didn't understand exactly what they were referencing, but it's good to go.
They fixed it up and sending it back.
That should fix up my dash lights....... for a while.

The quoted price and final bill was 300 dollars.
Seems fair enough considering a 5 year warranty.

[AV8R4AA]

I have about 80 miles on Big Red.
My ABS module repair was the fix.
Module Masters did the work.
Expensive, but worth it.

No lights, all systems go!

[crystalworks]

^Good deal. Thank goodness for small miracles right? Glad she's sorted and road worthy now. What did you decide to do about the particulate in the oil?

BTW, I call my X Big Red as well.

[AV8R4AA]

I showed my Indy the oil filter. He rubbed it between his fingers.
He didn't seem very concerned. I changed my oil filter 80 miles ago and looked at it last night.
No particles. PO might have not changed the filter when he did oil.

I really enjoy driving this X5.
It is a completely different animal than my 2004 X5
In fact, I feel BMW hit the mark the first time, and much prefer
it to my face lift version.

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by AV8R4AA

I really enjoy driving this X5.
It is a completely different animal than my 2004 X5
In fact, I feel BMW hit the mark the first time, and much prefer
it to my face lift version.

I wonder if it has to do with the 5 speed trans vs the 6 speed in the facelifts. I find that if I am not manually shifting my 4.8is the trans always seeks the highest gear and ends up neutering the truck in the process. Manually shifting is a different story though.

[AV8R4AA]

My Indy is rebuilding my 6 speed valve body
I'm hoping for a better transmission feel.
I'm soooo over the 2-1 downshift bump.
And the long delay of R to D.

Plus the facelift steering is very stiff to me and wife

[bcredliner]

Next time this happens try turning the steering wheel lock to lock a couple of times to see if the lights go out.

The are several options for code readers that you can use with apple or don't need an operating system:
Bavauto offers a reader that is for BMWs: I have checked it against other readers I have and haven't found a code it misses. It is exclusively a code reader.
OBD Fusion: For Apple. Will read codes and you can real time monitor some modules and create custom gauge pages. Connects via bluetooth.
Engine Link: Works with Apple and also connects via bluetooth. Reads and clears codes and some other stuff.
Blue Driver: Works with Apple. Reads and clears codes, modules, does smog check etc.
INPA Suite: I bought a windows based laptop for the INPA suite. I've used it a couple of times. IMO it is not for the infrequent user and is not cordless.

Everything I have mentioned about options are the short stories. There are websites and YouTube videos that will cover all features. Some options are very inexpensive and some are not. Based on my experience price is not a good measure of the features and benefits you are most concerned about.

I have focused each of these for some period of time over the years. Each has strengths and weakness. I still use them all depending on my mood, their strengths or the one I remember how to do what I need. When I need a scanner for garage work my current go to first is now the Schwaben Pro because it is so intuitive and a feature intensive scanner.

What I have learned is there is no scanner that does what I need. Some codes pinpoint a problem but many times there are codes that are by-products of the real problem so codes are quite often indicators of what to troubleshoot and can be easily misleading if taken literally. Very often if I could do realtime monitoring it would be fairly easy to sort out the primary code.

I am trying to find one scanner that will read and clear codes, test modules, do realtime monitoring, expand the dash gauge coverage and connect by bluetooth. A collection of the best features of the drawer full of scanners.

So, my latest investment is UltraGauge. It arrived yesterday. I have fired it up and tried a few things. Thus far it is intuitive. My intention is to use a portable mount on my iPad so that I can use the software in the vehicle anytime I choose. Based on the dash gauge expansion I can do I may just leave it there all the time. I can leave it in place and it connects automatically when the key is on. I can customize the addition gauges to match the dash gauges. I can have a page of performance gauges and pages for realtime monitoring. I am looking at more engine mods but before I do I want to monitor air/fuel ratio and timing variations based on what engine mods I have active at that particular time. I am quite sure UltraGauge will be at least a step forward.

[crystalworks]

^So far the best software I have used is a dedicated Autologic unit. That's what we used to use at the shop. I have seen them go for ~$2000 used but they are unsupported if you purchase that way. New they cost the shop very near $10k (with complete set of vehicle keys and cables, not just BMW) if I remember correctly.

I am going to try and order one of the ~$350-400 windows laptops with the INPA, DIS, etc suites pre installed.

@AV8R, I remember exactly what you describe from my previous 4.4i X5. It was very annoying for sure. My brother-in-law still drives it and has learned to drive around the trans in the same manner I did to avoid the hard shift. I think he is going to sell it in the near future though for something more fuel efficient.

[bcredliner]

Recently had a long discussion with ZF transmission specialist. His input was that the 5 speed is the better of the two. Fewer weak points in 5 speed and has less computer controls. Either way I would invest in Dinan transmission software. Shifts are crisper, shift points are improved and you have control of shifts in manual mode.