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.



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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.

Very interesting, I will be waiting too for the result 1stE53.

I just ordered the obd2 Bluetooth and will buy app when it get here. I have the nexus s android phone so should run good and I also have a service.engine light going so will be good to see.if it works ill let.u know.what it says

i got it and it works well with my android phone everything connected and worked!

did you use Torque? Do you have any codes?

yes i did
 

yes i did use torque. and i got to codes back 3400 and 3100 witch says my levels are to lean and that i need to change my maf filter and fuel filter is what it said i also got two other codes that it does not pull up reason or defination to what they are but overall i like and is cool

pics and details -- what adaptor, what brand, what program, where bought, how much ect. ect.

I just wanted to throw in here that I also went the way of TurboBimmer and got the FTDI VAG COM cable and modded pin 7 and 8. Couldn't be happier with it. I managed to turn off my airbag light (my fault for turning the key with the seat sensor unplugged by accident) read all my other modules and found a total of 37 errors(but no check engine light on), almost all those errors where caused by having things unplugged a while back when i was doing some major work on the car; nothing serious, but seriously impressive.

All in all INPA is lightning fast and very powerful, i love how i can activate my abs pump and cycle the valves when i bleed my brakes, etc.

Torque is cool, but it wont read your airbag/abs or anything other than your OBDII codes, IMO if you own a BMW, having DIS/INPA is highly recommended.

swissfrank,
you say you used INPA to activate your ABS pump + valves.
While playing with INPA, I saw that menu, but since I was not working on the brake system, I didn't activate it.

If you don't mind sharing your experience while using the activation vs bleeding. I mean, when you activate the pump, does it stay ON until you turn it OFF, or it's just a burst (temporary activation), same thing for the solenoids, do they cycle on their own, or you have to click them ON-OFF manually?

Thanks.

Hello TurboBimmer,

Well i want to point out that you should proceed at your own risk, however i was brave and decided to try some of these buttons out, in fact all of them! But i was not brave enough to do any coding, not yet.

This seemed to be true for all systems i entered into, where once you click activate it'll run that decive for aprox 30 seconds each time, for my ABS, i went to the activate menu and selected ABS PUMP, then you can select the individual valves (intake and exhaust) for the caliper you're working on.

My assumption would be that the best way to bleed all your brake fluid through would be to use a pressure bleeder and work each corner one at a time, first activating the abs pump and the intake and exhaust valves at the same time. I found that I was able to cycle the abs pump, abs intake and abs exhaust valves all at the same time by clicking them one after the other.

That was my experience, I'm not if a BMW tech would chime in on exactly how they are supposed to do this at the dealer, other than them using DIS...

i just wanted to also add for a $7 ($2cable and $5 shipping) ebay vag com cable, i smile every time i plug this into my car! And since I do a lot of work on my cars, I wish i knew about this years ago as this would have saved me many sleepless nights and money spent on other units that are no where near as powerful!

Thanks swissfrank for your feedback.
Next time I'm bleeding my brakes, I'm going to give it a try... at my own risks of course.

Same for me, each time I use my INPA, I can't beleive all what it does for ~$25 (mine came from a canadian seller, that explain the higher price!)

I used it to reset my steering angle sensor after an alignment and it worked well.

awesome! i must also say thanks for reporting back with your inpa results (and of course mod), never too much of a good thing :thumbup:

Update:
I received the OBD2 reader today. I have the free version of Torque. I just tried it out to see if it would read, it worked on both my vehicles. I will play with the paid version tomorrow and use it on a trip to work. I'm a little nervous about having the reader in while car is in use. Are my fears unfounded? I have no stored faults.

I have gotten to play with this new toy for a couple of days now. I sprung the $4.80 for the proper app. Let me tell you, this is one app I recommend paying for and not using the free version.

I can not believe the amount of data this thing reads:wow:. It is almost too dangerous because I can't keep my eyes off my phone while driving. It works for both my cars.

The most important find so far is a verification on how hard our 3.0 (M54, I think) engine has to work to move this truck. ie. Torque registered the throttle at only 37% and took the engine load all the way to 98% while the same acceleration in the W211 only took 55% load. I watched as small hills worked the engine to about 25% higher loads than in the car. Granted it is a car vs. SAV but still these poor engines are worked too hard for the weight.

**Still have not found a car with a fault code to check that function out

True fun for all true car nuts :thumbup:

Got mine from Hong Kong for 20$ inc postage. Works fine, am using free.version of torque. Don't know whether I will get paid version? I didn't have any fault codes either glad I don't fork out heaps of money for the module.

I know, I'm glad I was told about this app. I will tell you that the paid version is well worth the money. It has far more options. I have little under $30 invested all in all :D.

yea i have it as well and its better to kick out the extra five dollers for the paid app. it works well right now my power trian is to lean how do i fix?

:stickpoke excuse my ignorance -- u said u ordered the OBD2 and hooked it up with you android phone, OK, now all the OBD2 cables i see have regular USB cable plugs and i am under the impression that your phone have a mini usb socket:confused:. please-- more details and pic's if possible

I got the obd2 Bluetooth adapter I don't use the cables there is none it connects wireless using the Bluetooth will go take pics in a few at work now but just Google obd2 Bluetooth module and download torque in your phone its five bucks the bluettoth thing is about 30 but well worth it




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ooppss sory i overlooked the word bluetooth

Lol its the keyword there



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Yep-- i was just fixed on getting the obd2 to work on my android phone that i wasn't seeing any" keyword". just like driving my X on the highway at over 100mph its so smooth and steady i sometimes forget its a truck, and speed cops out there.

yea until there in your mirrors.. the other day i was going 120 and did not notice until my girl had a heart attack when she look and noticed how fast i was going lol

Hi Guys,

I've been following this thread and am looking to pick up one of the OBD readers as well. I've got a Droid X so it should work on my '06 X. I also have a "Service Engine Soon" light on as I have the nagging cold start issue with the following faults, 2B70 Variable intake system activation.
Car had missfire faults present for cylinders #6, 3, 8 & 7.
This is the info I received when I first dropped the X off for service.

The fee for resetting the fault is around $50 so I will pick up one of these readers/scanners and hope to fix the fault readouts.

Keep up the posting. I'll post up once I order up a scanner.

Thanks All

**edit**
Do any of your scaners work both on the Droid and the iphone?

yea it will work well and give you all the codes and let you take away the service engine light. just dont forget to fix what ever is wrong with your car lol i use it on my nexus s and it works flawlessy {if thats how you spell it }:nanana:

Cool let us know how it goes. just ordered the OBD2 bluetooth. will play with it when it comes and give feed back

That's the one I bought

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I just bought this one:
Amazon.com: Autel MaxiScan MS409 OBD-II/EOBD Scanner: Automotive

I absolutely love it! Have had fun checking stuff in all our cars. Unfortunately everything, including ses light has gone off by itself. Still fun to look at stored faults and readouts etc.

You think that is fun. Look up the app we are talking about. It will blow you away. :thumbup:

Hi all,

I am from Perth in Western Australia, I am new to the world of X5's since about a month ago when I purchased for my wife an Olivine 4.4litre o4 with the Sport Pack, since then I have been "Lurking" on this site trying to bring myself up to speed with all the idiosyncrasies of the X5.

I have done the firmware upgrade on the SatNav and also put in the latest map.

I figure it's time to delve into the ODBII so I was figuring on buying the
ELM327 OBDII Interface for $20 off Ebay,just like Dskyers , I already have the Iphone apps DashCommand, FuzzyCar and Rev.
I was wondering if any of you have used these and how the compare with "Torque", or perhaps you can recommend something else better either for my Iphone or Laptop.
Thanks
http://www.xoutpost.com/attachments/...9348987944.jpg

Rev is the app that was suggested to me from the guy who introduced this to me. He has a friend with iPhone that uses it. I personally don't have any experience with it though. The device I ordered is just like the one pictured. Mine came with software for the computer. I have not used this yet.

Very good easy and simple. I believe this post solves many issue to newcomers

Ok Guys,

I received my scanner (same BT device as pictured above) and it works flawlessly with my'06 4.4 X using the Droid X and free version of Torque.
I have the following "Pending fault codes".
P0103
P0003
P06e1
P0303
P0703
P05e9
P0403
P0803
P02e8

I looked up most of the faults and as far as I can tell they all have to do with my cold start issue. My local indy told me I had Faults 2B70 variable intake system activation.
Car had missfire faults present for cylinders number 6, 3, 8 and 7.
I'm not finding the 2B70 fault with my obd2 scanner but all the adobe point to what the indy shop stated.
What do you guys think, am I good to clear the faults now that the weather is warmer and I shouldn't get the nagging cold start issues?

Wow:wow: that is a lot of codes. If it were me, I would try and correct the issues. But that is only me.
By the way, I highly suggest you purchase the app. There is so much more you can do with it once you pay for the full version. I mean a ton! There are a lot more monitoring tools available as well.

Thanks for the info on the bluetooth reader. I have ordered it from ebay and will see how it works with torque on my iphone.

I would also be interested in getting more info on swissfrank and turbobimmer's approach (cable and the computer program.) I just took a quick look at link provided for the s/w download on bimmerforums and it is not clear whether it is an installation or a virtual machine setup or ... I will need to look into it further later perhaps;


It seems like some ebay sellers are also providing the software that goes with the inpa cable, anyone had any experience with these?

BMW USB OBD Diagnostic cable INPA Ediabas DIS SSS GT1 - eBay (item 120698348065 end time Apr-14-11 05:57:52 PDT)


Given I have the X5 and the wife's 07 328i, I think the cable/software approach would be a better choice for me in future, but at this time, the bluetooth approach should work well for these cars and friends' cars, etc.

will this work on non bmw cars? like chevy toyota etc.

Yes. I have used on BMW, Mercedes, Chevy, Ford so far. Works amazing

Good just won the adapter. You guys are using torque correct?

Yes, on Android. Paid version all the way

I have iPhone.

Were u able to find torque for iPhone? It's 40 dollars for rev or dash command

Torque is not for iPhone. You will have to fork over the $40. That is what you get for being a high roller with you Apple :D.

* I learned how to read the fuel mixture readings yesterday also :thumbup:. I noticed the sensor in bank 2 is at up to +3 long term. Now I'm wondering if I can do anything to get it to 0 :dunno: or if its worth the head ache since it is less than 5.

From reading this thread I *thought* torque was available for iphone for $4 or so. Now you guys tell me!? http://www.xoutpost.com/images/smilies/bawling.gif

I guess I have to read better.

Why would something be priced $4 for android and $40 for iphone?

Looking at the above post, I think I *read* correctly, that a $4 app is available on iphone and android based phones. (The above post is kind of what mislead me, even though re-reading it again, it does say 'android'.)

oh well.

I will worry about it when my device gets here from China or HK or wherever the f*#k it was that is coming from. :)

To all iPhone users Bluetooth elm will not work with iPhone unless jail broken and 3rd party app installed. Thanks again apple.

Thanks for the info. I will probably jailbreak my iphone 4 sometime in near future (didn't do it on my previous one).

But yeah, I am not disappointed in iphone because of this in any shape. Perhaps apple charges extra to allow app providers use the bluetooth functionality in iphone? Funny thing is, I went from iphone to Motorola Atrix (dual core beauty) and went back to iphone after I hated the quality of voice on motorola.

I haven't received the unit I ordered yet, and when I do, I have enough friends (car enthusiasts) around with an Android device to have them load torque for testing purposes. Then I will probably just pass it this device to the friend as a gift, and ask to have access to it (along with his phone/app) once in a blue moon that I may need it in future. :)

Hey i wanted to share some updates regarding the $7 vag-com cable.

This might be of interest to Turbo Bimmer and anyone else that wants a powerful diagnostic tool.

So i had to do some reprogramming of my dme to apply some updates, and i successfully installed EASYDIS which is the same interface and as powerful as the DIS system used for the GT1 Yellow head but hundreds of dollars cheaper.

I'm quite happy with it! No longer have need for a GT1, I just wanted to share.

It does take some work and patients to set up but was well worth it for me! Here is the how-to link!

How to install GT1\EasyDIS v44 step-by-step - Bimmerforums - The Ultimate BMW Forum

Thanks,
I will take a look at that EASYDIS. +

Hi
here also i find some cables
Home - BIMMER-DIAG Online Shop
maybe someone needs.....
cheers

Thanks

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,

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).