E70 diagnostics cable
 

What cable and software are most guys using for the E70? Anyone using an Icom unit ?

Yes. Using an ICOM, well ICOM China clone, along with ista-d and ista-p. Use it on the e53, e61, and f15 as well.

I knew somebody was using the ICOM but I couldn't remember who ;) Which ICOM clone did you get and how is it working out? Are you using Windows 10 for ISTA?

I ordered this kit but they are out of stock currently: ICOM Ebay Listing.

I am using Win 10 for the complete BMW software suite. I need to update my ISTA and daten files though, using an older copy. Haven't run into any issues with it other than ISTA-P sometimes freezes on loading and locks the ICOM requiring powering down the laptop and the ICOM.

My "One Stop Electronics" cable doesn't work with the E70 because the vehicle doesn't have the #1 ignition terminal in the diagnostic connector. I ordered another K+D CAN cable hoping that at the price they are now they have that figured out. If that doesn't work then I will probably mod the second cable with a switch to simulate the ignition or get an ICOM unit. I imagine the ICOM parses the data stream to tell if the ignition has been switched on?

Yes, the ICOM knows when the ignition is switched on and can differentiate between the different terminal positions: "Off, KL-R, KL15-ACC, KL30-Run, and KL-50-Engine start.

The real-time voltage readout is nice as well in ISTA. I use it with a powersupply (Powermax PMBC-75LK) that I also bought off ebay. Seems to work well. Have programmed entire vehicles' power train modules with it to bring up to latest integration level without issue. Not sure it would provide enough amperage for the F15 X5, but it has worked well on all the E chassis vehicles.

BTW, I am by no means a BMW module guru. Just wanted the most complete tool set I could have since I have 5 Bimmers in the driveway at any one time. I also use Foxwell NT530 (mostly on F15), the K+Dcan cable you mention, and also a Carly setup. Grandfathered in original user for Carly or I would not use it. Actually I should plug it in to make sure they did not change their policy for being "grandfathered." :rolleyes:

Awesome! That is some really good info, thanks for sharing :) I bought a "MegaWatt"
power supply off Ebay a few years ago and put some effort into getting some good cabling on it but then only worked for a short time ;( so I bought a big "Schumacher" charger when they came on sale. I noticed that there is an Ebay seller with a more expensive ICOM clone that claims to have "real" chips for the critical ones so I might go that route.

Schumacher is the gold standard for chargers and boosters. Didn't know they did stabilizers/converters. As long as you get one with enough amperage should work great.

I'm not sure on the different clones other than the research I did before purchasing. I read a lot on vxdas.com and obd2sales.com when comparing.

This site has the most info about the different clones though and some very handy tech articles too: Which BMW ICOM Next Clone is the Best? | OBDII365.com Official Blog

Thanks again! :) BTW the E53 is supposed to have a feature that turns off the running lights when you pull the E-brake although it didn't seem to work on mine. I wonder if the E70 has something similar to minimize drain on the battery when coding ?

I'm using the full suite on a Windows 10 laptop and K/DCAN cable I got a long time ago.

Another grandfathered Carly user here and no, you can still use the bulk of it but they keep adding gimmicky features and stupid, wasteful animations and are constantly advertising their other products. That and they add discrete features and want you to pay a subscription for them. Make a streamlined version specific to BMW that's simpler and doesn't have all of the ridiculous animations. That and add some more E70 features, like NOx functions.