BMW code reader shopping list
 

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.

Nothing can beat the GT1.All GT1s under $10k are made in China.I am doing a lot of BMW diagnostic(used to run a BMW shop) and I am using it with a virtual machine-no problems whatsoever.It is kind of slow,but you can probably live with that.

Ouups, forgot to update my thread.

I finally bought a VAG cable ($35) that I modified to read dual K-Line and use it with Inpa.

Since it is a BMW software, it can do all models including Mini, up to 2006.
I tried it on my E46, and it can talk to all modules, has a real time sensor display, G-force, steering angle, etc. , and with additional software, it can code modules and activate stuff like ABS and others. I didn't try those functions though.

Would you mind giving us some more details like where you bought it and what kind of cables you needed, mods, etc.?

Thanks.

Just a thought:
if you have an iPhone or Android you can use them as a diagnostics tool.
I have an Android and downloaded an app called Torque. I ordered the module from ebay and am waiting for it to arrive next week. All in, I paid less than $30 for module and $4 for app. I have a friend who purchased this same setup and gets readings and info for both his and his girlfriend's car. They are North American and Japanese cars though. I will try to get a post on here once mine arrives to let you know if it works with our X5s.

1st53,

That's some great info. I checked out the app on my Droid X and it states that it works for BMW's. I'd be really interested in this if it indeed does work. Please post back in this thread so we know if you got it to work.

Thanks!

Yes, sure;
On EBay, search for: VAG COM CABLE. That cable is made for VW, and if used as is, will read the DME only on a BMW(2000-2006). If you solder pin 7 and 8 of the OBDII connector together, you will be able to communicate with both K-Line on a BMW and read all the modules.

If you prefer not soldering, for a bit more money you can buy the cable already modified. Search again on EBay for INPA CABLE and you should find it.

For the software, here is a thread on bimmerforum about it and where to get it:
The files to an EasyDIS\GT1 machine! - Bimmerforums - The Ultimate BMW Forum
You will have some reading to do to understand everything and what does what etc. It is not plug'n play, but once it works, it is quite powerfull.
The minimum software you will need is INPA (diag user interface) and EDIABAS (the software that communicates with the modules).

Later, if you really want to have the same interface as the dealer, you can install GT1, but I didn't because you also need to install VMWare to be able to run GT1 in Unix, and that slows down the laptop a lot.

Just an update. I messed up the paypall payment so I did not receive the adapter. I re-ordered it just now and got all the confirmation. I will plug this sucker in as soon as it arrives and let everyone know if it worked.

Please let me know I have a nexus s and I'm sure it can handle it. Very good post.



Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk

I've got BT and agree it's rather weak for E53 in terms of feature. But I'll probably get by. But BT is rather good as far as support for E9x/E6x which is one of the reason I go for it.