BMW code reader shopping list

[Turbo_Bimmer]

I'm about to buy a scan / diagnostic tool for my cars + future cars. I did some reading and here is what I found.

Feel free to correct wrong information or add suggestions.

My minimum requirement is to read and reset OBDII and BMW codes for the following car:
E46 325, R50 Mini, E53 X5, E85 Z4.

Optionally, I would be VERY interrested to be able to actuate the ABS pump + solenoids for bleeding, and reprogram modules like the LCM and steering angle sensor and do some activation of transmission solenoids for troubleshooting.

GT1 with yellow head: (up to 2008 model year) The best option. Can do all BMW+Mini. Programmation, activation, reads etc. Price is $1200 with a IBM T30 laptop or $600 without, and this is for a China made version. Some EBay sellers claim to have a German made one (OEM) for $1200
without laptop. If going without a T30 laptop, discs are provided for installation on your laptop, but it needs VMware (virtual machine) to work, which make it slower from what I read.
So, for $600 you can have a working GT1 for cars up to 2008 only.

AutoEnginuity: Seems to do a lot. Does BMW+Mini. Not as much as a GT1. $450 for software and hardware. Not sure of what it can program and activate, description seems a bit vague on their website.

PA Soft BMW scanner 1.4: No Mini coverage; Some recoding $650 Seems expensive for what it does.

Carsoft Home: $300; read-reset only BMW+Mini

Carsoft Premium and Ultimate: $650 to $1000; Does new cars >2008 E60 etc and some activation + programmation. Nothing specific listed.

Peakes: Compact, no laptop required. Need to buy one for each system: engine $149, airbag $129, Mini $129 total=$410; Does it cover auto tranny, DCS, ABS ???

INPA Ediabas: Not a lot of info on their site. No price either. I sent them an email and will update if they reply. Seems to cover BMW+Mini

Bavarian Technic 'enthusiast' $300; max 3 cars only; read-erase codes only

Bavarian Technic 'pro' $735 no car limit, very few coding and activation for older cars. (only steering angle for the X5)


Since someone can get a GT1 for ~$600, is there an advantage to paying more for a third party software?

If you have more information about what can be activated and programmed for the softwares that claim that they can, but don't list 'per car', please list it here.