Member
Just laziness on my side: what is te best hardware/software combo to perform diagnostic on an E46 BMW?
Please be patient, I read lot of threads but I'm still a bit confused (series overlapping on almost any thread=confusion on my side).
Member
If you merely need a tool to READ and CLEAR codes, the XTool U480 works fine. If you want to be able to code options and read error codes store in various modules, there are several other options but I think most users rely on PA Soft 1.4.Originally Posted by AEnrico
Member
A really good scanner is the Foxwell NT520 with BMW software installed
Do you have an old laptop, then download INPA and buy the leads
https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...xperimentation
1999 2.8L Z3 Roadster,
2000 3.0L Z3 Roadster,
There is only one thing more pleasurable than working on a Z3, that's driving it top down on a fine day.
Wagon meister :)
BMW Tech Expert
+1
Easy to use and not going to break the bank.
Darin
Current:
16 220i Active Tourer Platinsilver MET (C08)/Dakota Black (PDSW), P7ACA, P7LDA, P7LHA, P9BDA, 6sp Manual - Wife's new toy!
05 325it Electric Red(438)/Gray(N6TT) ZCW, ZSP 5sp Manual Back set cover, trunk mat, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield, and mud flaps! Mr. Wagon My new Winter car.
05 M3 Imolarot II(405)/Gray(N5TT) ZCW, ZPP 6sp Manual C.F. Lip, CSL diffuser, SSK, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield and a trunk liner! Mr. Go_Fast Stored for the Winter
Past:
95 318is Montreal Blue Met (297)/Beige(K1SN) RIP, killed by an Idiot.
84 M535i gray market Burgandy Rot Met/Black Leather Lowered by Intrax on bilies, poly everywhere, B&B cat back system, K&N, and a hitch! Da Beast - Still running w/400k+!
91 316i euro Tizianrot/Gray cloth - E-36 w/M-40 RIP, but great on gas! Best was 38 MPG
82 528i euro Saphire Blue Met/Blue Leather RIP
79 525 euro Green/Green RIP
79 318 Silver/Black - The first one that got it all started
M-Flight Member
Member
Some of us like the OBDFusion app for smartphones and tablets. It reads and clears codes, and it allows you to collect data from a myriad of sensors. Those data can be exported and analyzed in Excel. Go to E46Fanatics and search for threads on OBDFusion in which jfoj has commented. He’s the guru.
Member
Thank you!
I have still a question: many Ebay posts add a little string to the article description, like "for BMW KY" or "for BMW S3". Are the still the same?
I'm referring to the "20 Pin To OBD2 Female 16Pin Auto Diagnostic Connector Tool Adapter Cable For BMW".
Wagon meister :)
BMW Tech Expert
What year? If it is MY-01 and newer, you don't need the 20-pin round connector, just the OBD-II style 16-pin connector.
Darin
Current:
16 220i Active Tourer Platinsilver MET (C08)/Dakota Black (PDSW), P7ACA, P7LDA, P7LHA, P9BDA, 6sp Manual - Wife's new toy!
05 325it Electric Red(438)/Gray(N6TT) ZCW, ZSP 5sp Manual Back set cover, trunk mat, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield, and mud flaps! Mr. Wagon My new Winter car.
05 M3 Imolarot II(405)/Gray(N5TT) ZCW, ZPP 6sp Manual C.F. Lip, CSL diffuser, SSK, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield and a trunk liner! Mr. Go_Fast Stored for the Winter
Past:
95 318is Montreal Blue Met (297)/Beige(K1SN) RIP, killed by an Idiot.
84 M535i gray market Burgandy Rot Met/Black Leather Lowered by Intrax on bilies, poly everywhere, B&B cat back system, K&N, and a hitch! Da Beast - Still running w/400k+!
91 316i euro Tizianrot/Gray cloth - E-36 w/M-40 RIP, but great on gas! Best was 38 MPG
82 528i euro Saphire Blue Met/Blue Leather RIP
79 525 euro Green/Green RIP
79 318 Silver/Black - The first one that got it all started
M-Flight Member
Member
Umm....OBDII became mandatory in 1996.
Member
It's a E46's 325Ti (AKA Compact) so I suppose it is at least a MY2001. So did I just ordered the worng adapter?
Wow!
Member
A last question, what do you mean for "old laptop"? One equipped with serial and parallel ports, or just one old enough to become a dedicated device?
Wagon meister :)
BMW Tech Expert
Please take note of the location of the O.P.
Second on the Euro models, you can only Access DME info from the OBD-II connector, and they didn't show up until MY-99ish.
///Break///
O.P. While a true serial port would work better, you can still use an USB connector for this, and yes you ordered the wrong adaptor.
Last edited by dworthy; 05-20-2019 at 02:32 AM.
Darin
Current:
16 220i Active Tourer Platinsilver MET (C08)/Dakota Black (PDSW), P7ACA, P7LDA, P7LHA, P9BDA, 6sp Manual - Wife's new toy!
05 325it Electric Red(438)/Gray(N6TT) ZCW, ZSP 5sp Manual Back set cover, trunk mat, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield, and mud flaps! Mr. Wagon My new Winter car.
05 M3 Imolarot II(405)/Gray(N5TT) ZCW, ZPP 6sp Manual C.F. Lip, CSL diffuser, SSK, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield and a trunk liner! Mr. Go_Fast Stored for the Winter
Past:
95 318is Montreal Blue Met (297)/Beige(K1SN) RIP, killed by an Idiot.
84 M535i gray market Burgandy Rot Met/Black Leather Lowered by Intrax on bilies, poly everywhere, B&B cat back system, K&N, and a hitch! Da Beast - Still running w/400k+!
91 316i euro Tizianrot/Gray cloth - E-36 w/M-40 RIP, but great on gas! Best was 38 MPG
82 528i euro Saphire Blue Met/Blue Leather RIP
79 525 euro Green/Green RIP
79 318 Silver/Black - The first one that got it all started
M-Flight Member
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