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View Full Version : BEWARE of Chinese BMW Scanner Knock-offs


E39Fisch
10-05-2011, 04:16 PM
I ordered both a 1.3.6 version on Ebay which arrived DOA and a 1.4 version from Reset Tools, China which also arrived DOA. (EDIT-this one actually works). Even after inspecting and servicing the solders, but units are still non-functional.

Sending returns back to China is not my idea of a good transaction, so I am taking both purchases in the shorts... just thought I would share.

I guess that's what I get for trying to save some money by going the knock-off route. Instant Karma it seems. Buyer beware.
IcemanBHE
10-05-2011, 07:57 PM
We dont really advocate China anything round here...

and you know why.
Vipsa
10-08-2011, 01:53 PM
I've had a 50 % success rate so far. I bought a 1.36 from Ebay which wasn't able to even connect. Sent it back for a refund and I didn't see any money back beware. I did however buy a 1.40 one from a website in HK that was recommended by a member on here and it seems to be working.
E39Fisch
10-09-2011, 02:23 AM
I've had a 50 % success rate so far. I bought a 1.36 from Ebay which wasn't able to even connect. Sent it back for a refund and I didn't see any money back beware. I did however buy a 1.40 one from a website in HK that was recommended by a member on here and it seems to be working.

Yeah... apparently they do zero quality control and testing before they mail units out. Either that or the solders are so crappy they break during the jostling of shipping.
bmmer7
10-09-2011, 02:37 AM
speaking about China, and transactions made over eBay with international sellers...you guys think its not a good idea in case of a return?im thinking to order a alpina lip which seems to be missing from our country .Poland or UK is where the sellers are.No or go?
bmwlar
10-09-2011, 03:52 AM
...also I have same experience buying from china - or hongkong. never again, no real warranty. sending stuff back is too complicated and too expensive- had to pay customs again since they did not want to accept the returned product as a repair case.
David Mc
10-09-2011, 04:55 AM
I have never had a problem with a UK vendor who was actually located in the UK but beware, some Hong Kong vendors represent their location as the UK (since Hong Kong was a British province until relatively recently when the lease expired and it reverted to Chinese control). Also had good experiences with vendors from Germany, Belgium, Latvia and a few other European countries. The story with China is always the same - once they have your money, your warranty has expired (even if you have not received the goods). There are a few notable exceptions when sourcing stuff from China but generally speaking there are 4 rules:-

1. Never bid more than you are prepared to lose.
2. When a transaction goes pear-shaped, suck it up and chalk it up to experience.
3. If it looks too good to be true, it usually is.
4. "Warranty" is a throw-away line, so if you need warranty service, just throw the item away.
bmmer7
10-09-2011, 06:00 AM
David thanks for the info my seller is from Poland and is selling the item in GBP **** that weird??some help from forum members who have bought their E38 alpina front lip from eBay, would be much appreciated.He is also a top rated seller.thanks
IcemanBHE
10-09-2011, 10:40 AM
The polish ebay vendor selling Rep Alpina spoilers is fine....but why your asking that here on the software forum, repeatedly, is beyond me....

Ask on the E38 forum.
bmwlar
10-09-2011, 03:01 PM
...and always remember that the final cost for products from China/Hongkong is not just the product + shipping (which often I now find is free).

You have to add customs PLUS customs administration fee, which was in my case about $50. It sems to depend on the courier they use.

At the end one definitely pays much more than just the price for the product!
E39Fisch
10-12-2011, 01:15 PM
EDIT. I actually unfairly accused the Reset Tools people of selling a DOA knockoff of PA Soft 1.4.

After more investigation, the scanner needs to be connected to the ODB to get power for the USB (why? ...dumb design) and you can install drivers and go from there. So it actually does work. So my success rate went from 0% to 50%.
JetBlackE46
10-14-2011, 11:26 AM
Will this work with modern laptops? How difficult was the installation of drivers?
E39Fisch
10-14-2011, 03:25 PM
Will this work with modern laptops? How difficult was the installation of drivers?

Yes, it works on USB, very easy to install once I realized it has to draw power from the car to be seen as a USB device. I am Win XP 32 so I can't say whether it will work on Win7 64...
JetBlackE46
10-14-2011, 05:37 PM
Yes, it works on USB, very easy to install once I realized it has to draw power from the car to be seen as a USB device. I am Win XP 32 so I can't say whether it will work on Win7 64...

Thanks I'll have to try again with it plugged into the car. Does the car key need to be in the on position?

I'm running Vista...I may need to find an old laptop.
E39Fisch
10-14-2011, 07:11 PM
Thanks I'll have to try again with it plugged into the car. Does the car key need to be in the on position?

I'm running Vista...I may need to find an old laptop.

I don't think the key needs to be on for your laptop to see the USB device (and install the driver) but it certainly needs to be on to scan, etc.