Recommended OBD reader?

[z3panda]

Hi all,

I've been looking through Amazon's selection of OBD readers and have been unable to figure out a clear 'best one.' This is particularly an issue as some of the reviews suggest that certain BMW diagnostic parameters are not shown by some models...

Does anyone here have any recommendations on what OBD reader to get if I am mostly interested in reading codes from an E39, E53, and possibly E36/E86/E31? Overall, older BMW vehicles.

Thanks a bunch in advance for any knowledge!

[MIKYZZ4]

information in this link:http://www.mycarly.com/product/bmw-app/

[z3panda]

Thanks for responding. I appreciate the suggetion, but I am looking for a standalone OBD reader, not an app.

[Bill837]

The issue you face with "over the counter" OBD readers is that you will usually only get just the, OBD required codes, meaning pretty much just emissions related stuff, O2 sensors, temp readings, etc.

I have a $15 ELM32 bluetooth reaader that I use with my Android phone and Torque to look at that stuff. In that regard, if thats all you want, and the car in question has an OBDII port, then virutally any OBD II reader will work, all you need is the Wifi OBDII reader for Iphone, or the bluetooth one for Android. Or any standalone reader if you dont want an app, although apps susally allow real time data viewing/logging that readers dont offer. But if you want to go deeper than that, look at ABS, or trans, or airbag system codes, then you need Carly or gt into a whole lot of work finding an older laptop and some serious investment in time configuring one of the available software packages to work with it.

[BimmerBreaker]

Download the diagnostic suite on an old laptop and use the corresponding cables to connect to the car.

[z3panda]

Thanks for pointing out the options that are available for more detailed BMW diagnostics. I appreciate it!

[Bill837]

Download the diagnostic suite on an old laptop and use the corresponding cables to connect to the car.

See, that sounds easy, but when I read the threads about people actually doing that, it sounds like hacking the Pentagon, lots of talk about computer stuff I don't understand. Is it really as simple as downloading a program, running it and that's it?

http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...uccess!/page81

Thanks David,
This time I was able to connect my DME, E36 M40 (318i 1992).
The problem has been there on the RS232, because I use a USB-RS232, a variety of USB-RS232 converter I have purchased but none managed to connect to my DME.
I assemble T5730 (Thin Client base), and have a real RS232 port (com1), and i have managed to connect to all the modules in my E36.
The bottom line for cars with OBD1 interfaces must use real RS232

[BimmerBreaker]

See, that sounds easy, but when I read the threads about people actually doing that, it sounds like hacking the Pentagon, lots of talk about computer stuff I don't understand. Is it really as simple as downloading a program, running it and that's it?

http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...uccess!/page81

You have to run it on Windows XP or older but thats about it, it is mostly just downloading a program and running it. There are eBay sellers selling laptops with the diagnostic suite pre-installed that usually includes the cables. I bought one last year for $200. Using INPA it is pretty hard to mess up the car. I'd avoid stuff like NCSexpert unless you know what you are doing.

Best bet if you are not technologically inclined is to buy the pre-installed laptop and follow DIY guides on how to use certain diagnostic features.

[z3panda]

@Bill837: I had a similar reaction to you when I stepped into the diagnostic software subforum. So I did some more research and found out there there's a handheld OBD scanner that is supposedly tailored for BMWs called the Creator C310. I'm still doing more research on it, but it seems like an affordable alternative to going the full laptop route.

@BimmerBreaker: Are you satisfied with going the laptop route over the handheld scanners? I watched some videos on youtube and it looked like the programs can be quite temperamental and glitchy.

[Bill837]

Hmmm, that creator does seem interesting. I would need to add a 20 pin - 16 pin adapter, but those don't cost much. And it does stream live data. Amazon reviews seem mixed, but I suspect a lot of that is due to customer ignorance. I do see references to folks being able to access both SRS and ABS systems. No mention of coding, by which I mean being able to change factory setup options like the door autolock feature and so on.

[Carsoft MI6]

You might as well have a look at the MI6 (hand tool based) BMW diagnostic solution from Carsoft. http://www.carsoft.com/single-brand/mi6-bmw-mini.html

[BimmerBreaker]

@BimmerBreaker: Are you satisfied with going the laptop route over the handheld scanners? I watched some videos on youtube and it looked like the programs can be quite temperamental and glitchy.

It is the same software the dealership used, it can have some error codes here and there but the functionality can not be beat. I have some handheld scanners ill occasionally use but then I use INPA for specifc diagnosis