Recommendations on BMW scan tool
 

Good Afternoon,
I have a Schwaben by Foxwell 14020SCH scanner. It has really lousy instructions. Question 1, Is there an online location that has a good user guide?
I am trying to resolve a Tire Pressure Monitor Inactive code on one of my BMW's. I'd like to be able to scan my e46, e90 and other models.
What would a good universal BMW scanner?

Schwaben scan tool is a Foxwell NT510 Elite, I think
 

As far as I could tell, at the time I was researching scan tools for BMW, in December 2020-January 2021 (I bought my NT510 Elite on Jan.16,'21), the Schwaben seemed to be known to multiple BMW & MINI forums as a clone of the Foxwell NT 510 Elite (at that time). Previously, there was conjecture about which NT model it was: 510, 510 Pro, 510 Elite, 520, or 520 Pro, depending on what forum you looked at and the time frame. To this day, I'm still unsure about which model does what, but andrewwynn says the NT5xx series and the NT710 work on the BMW's he's wrenched...good enough for me.


I decided on the Foxwell instead of the Schwaben (though I liked the grey color) because

• 1) the NT510 Elite was listed on Amazon (so I could use Prime, and the Amazon warranty),
• 2) I could buy it with General Motors programming already on it (I needed the GM programming at that time, and I wouldn't get the X5 from my neighbor for 4 more months, while he was working on the suspension...prior to our agreed-to, car-for-car swap),
• 3) it was $60-70 cheaper than the Schwaben (I could use the savings to buy the BMW software), and
• 4) I wasn't sure if the Schwaben was enough of a clone to accept the GM software from Foxwell, if I was to get the Schwaben instead of the Foxwell, first

Here's a link to Foxwelltech.us https://www.foxwelltech.us/, where I registered my scan tool at, and receive my software and updates from, and a link to the owner's manual download https://usa-guigu-public.oss-us-west...lish_V2.02.pdf. There is another site, Foxwelldiag.com https://www.foxwelldiag.com/, which says it's the official site, and has direct downloads of manuals and software, too. It seems that there is a bit of confusion internally at Foxwell, so if you buy from one vendor vs another, then you'll end up using a different website, later on.

The Quick Start guide that came with my Foxwell just got me started (barely), the downloaded Owner's Manual helped out a bit further, and reading this and other BMW forums helps me use the scan tool more effectively, but I've encountered problems along the way. Primarily by not allowing it time to finish an operation before moving on to another (it's slow...I'll get the faster NT710 in the future), and secondly, low battery power makes it lose functionality (automatic VIN scan goes away, and it won't scan all the modules if battery voltage drops below 12, in my experience...I hook up a 15 amp charger now, if I plan on an extended scanning session, or I run the engine). Otherwise, it's been really good, and has paid for itself many times, whether I'm working on the X5 or on my for GM vehicles.

I'm sure the Schwaben will be just as useful to you, once you learn all the features (and quirks). I'm still learning new things about my Foxwell, two+ years later.

When wife got her F10 2015 none of my scanning solutions would scan her ECU. I bought the 710 foxwell and it works but it's worth every penny mostly because it can update itself via WiFi!

I'd take a look at Pro Tool at Bimmergeeks.net

AM.

I bought this one out of necessity and not knowing any better, but it works. Clears all codes.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0871TQR9J/

I use the OBDlink CX with BimmerLink running on my iPhone. Nice wireless setup and easy interface.


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That looks like a decent scanner. Does it do active tests? Eg. Roll up a window to determine if the motor works but the switch doesn't

Huh. Bimmerlink itself does not support the E53; I have it for my F30. Dang, had I known this I coulda saved some $ towards door locks!

And bimmercode also :/(.

When I searched and found them after getting e70 I was pondering why the hell didn't I have for the six years I had e53 and then I realized I did find them but discovered not compatible. When Carley can I was always confused why not?

Foxwell 520 Pro is my go to component activation scanner. I keep a smaller one for quick scanning in the glove box. andrewwynn's advice to get it saved me time. Time of having to get software, cables, and a working PC. I'm happy with it. Plus I can add three more manufacturers.