BMW code reader shopping list

[dephantn]

I Bought OBDII-UBS interface & OBDII Serial interface, VAG>COM inteterface, K-CAN Interface ( for CAN BUS new car after 2007) ,OBD 16 pins-DLC 20pins adater, compare with my PEAKE tool, AIRBAG tool, Generic obd scanner, a IBM T30, a SONY USB laptop , fighting 3 months with them , modified the interfaces , now all work with any laptop.
If you want, I can provide any type of them ( serial, USB, K-CAN ..) modified & 100% works on INPA 5.02-EDIABAS 10.2 - DIS 5.7 -SSS3.2 .
( I bought total about 20 INTERFACES until I made it works).
By the way, it works in windows, not Unix,

[PCH BMW]

I just purchased the Bavarian Technic diagnostic / scan tool software - enthusiast. I have a 2004 X5 3.0 and a 2007 Mini Cooper S and I wanted a solution that worked on both cars, that was turnkey, and that was more powerful than a simple reader, but not all powerful.

Good Unit.
I installed the Bavarian Technic software on my Macbook Pro laptop running a windows 7 partition (easy) and I ordered the USB cable from Bavarian Technic (easy). I'm currently using the BT software on my X5 to help solve a idle and stall problem and it has worked well thus far (will post another thread regarding the X5 problem).

Learning Curve Warning.
As with any of the more powerful scan tools, the BT tool can read active values from control modules as the car is running. Very cool stuff. The "active values" are reported by the BMW control modules as designed by BMW.

Understanding what active value labels and their meaning is sometime simple (e.g., battery voltage) and frequently impossible without documentation from BWM that describes the sometimes cryptic active value names and meaning. I've been told by folks that know that the Active Value names and meaning are defined in the repair manuals that are used by Dealers.

HELP
I've spend a few hours searching for information on the meaning of the Active Values without success. (I've also been working 18+ hour days between my desk job and night job under the hood, so all of my brain cells are not firing). Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Your time is greatly appreciated. Mahalo,

In the mean time, I'm back to hunting for the source of my X5 idle/stall problem (day 5) because I don't want to buy the wifeepoooh a new one (as she is strongly suggesting).