Looking to buy a diagnostic scanner, any suggestions

[ECS Tuning]

I highly suggest a Peak reader for all BMW applications. Manufactured specifically for BMWs, Peake scan/reset tools make servicing your BMW cheaper and easier than ever. The tool easily connects to your diagnostic port in the engine bay and allows you to read any codes for a check engine light as well reset your oil service and inspection light with the push of a button. This tool is a must for the first time do-it-yourself mechanic and to complete any tool box.

Click HERE for more information



ECS Tuning

[Zulu95]

Peake: Had it for 6 years and it has saved me the purchase cost many times over.

[rayxi]

I have the older Peake R5/rcx II. It works on my E46 but not on my 2004 X5. I assume the rcx-3 will work as advertised but I wish there was a firmware update option for my rcx II.

Do you guys use the free version of Torque or the paid version? Can it reset service and inspection lights?

[omodos]

Yup in response to previous post who is using the Torque Lite with success?

[e39_touring]

It's a bit of work to put together, but nothing compares to a DIS/INPA system on a laptop. You can do the whole thing for <$200 or about $50 if you already have a laptop.

[omodos]

Originally Posted by e39_touring

It's a bit of work to put together, but nothing compares to a DIS/INPA system on a laptop. You can do the whole thing for <$200 or about $50 if you already have a laptop.

any tips on what products to use would be much appreciated....most of us have laptops.....be good to know if the above will work on an e46 2002 bmw as well as a 2004 x5 e53

[e39_touring]

Originally Posted by omodos

any tips on what products to use would be much appreciated....most of us have laptops.....be good to know if the above will work on an e46 2002 bmw as well as a 2004 x5 e53

I use an IBM T30 laptop dedicated to car diagnostics because it's the last/best thinkpad with a true serial port.

You can use any laptop though as long as you have at least 1gb memory and >30gb free hard disk space.

The hardware you need is a BMW INPA interface. Search ebay and you can find them for ~$25 for the serial version or ~$50 for USB. Don't buy the software on ebay as it's available for download in many places on the net. I can help out with any setup issues you run into. It has gotten much easier over the years!

I use my setup to service a 2000 E46, 2000 E39, and 2005 E53.

[omodos]

thanks e39 touring, very helpful indeed and sorry to the original poster of the message as I kinda hijacked the post....and hope all the answers here will help....I need to get to the case and get these things ordered

[HPIA4v2]

I have bavariantechnic, cause I just want the plug-n-play system running on laptop that works for E53, E60 and E92 cars in one shot. So far so good, hope they stay in business cause I am relying on their updating the S/W for more programming etc. Kinda pricey for $279 (covers up to 3 cars though).

[m5james]

Originally Posted by e39_touring

I use an IBM T30 laptop dedicated to car diagnostics because it's the last/best thinkpad with a true serial port.

You can use any laptop though as long as you have at least 1gb memory and >30gb free hard disk space.

The hardware you need is a BMW INPA interface. Search ebay and you can find them for ~$25 for the serial version or ~$50 for USB. Don't buy the software on ebay as it's available for download in many places on the net. I can help out with any setup issues you run into. It has gotten much easier over the years!

I use my setup to service a 2000 E46, 2000 E39, and 2005 E53.

I've got CDH from Bimmerforums making me the same laptop so I can code my 740iL 6spd swap properly.