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Best choice for a simple code reader?
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Best choice for a simple code reader?
I've been putting off buying a code reader for a year now but I think I'd better do a bit of research 'just in case' I need one soon. Having read a few threads on various forums it would appear that a favourite is the BMW C110 +.
Comments please.
Comments please.
- kis
- Lifer
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Best choice for a simple code reader?
Simple as in quick to use, or easy to understand?
Most scanners are pretty similar for use. Plug and play kind of thing.
I’ve got a C310 (so upgrade of the one you suggested) and always found that Carly is much easier to understand and navigate.
But read about the 110 as well and it’s widely used on BM’s so any of those three are going to be good IMO!
Most scanners are pretty similar for use. Plug and play kind of thing.
I’ve got a C310 (so upgrade of the one you suggested) and always found that Carly is much easier to understand and navigate.
But read about the 110 as well and it’s widely used on BM’s so any of those three are going to be good IMO!
My E85 Z4 3.0i SMG
BMW Family History (past and present):
1 Series - E87
3 Series - E46 Coupe, E46 M3, E90 (x3)
4 Series - F36, F82 M4
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X5 - E53, E70
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BMW Family History (past and present):
1 Series - E87
3 Series - E46 Coupe, E46 M3, E90 (x3)
4 Series - F36, F82 M4
5 Series - E34 (x2), E39
7 Series - E32
X5 - E53, E70
X6 - E71
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Best choice for a simple code reader?
Carly is an option as it now has a free trial download. Do you need to buy the Carly OBD2 bluetooth connector or can you get away with a much cheaper one?
Last edited by 1972nail on Mon Feb 05, 2018 11:35 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- Smartbear
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Best choice for a simple code reader?
Hi, I’ve read that Carly does work with cheap obd connectors but you get reduced functionality
Rob
e89 Sdrive 20i, plenty of mumbo & good economy-the thinking bears z4
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- srhutch
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Best choice for a simple code reader?
If you have an android phone then a ELM327 Bluetooth dongle and the app called torque. Get them for about a fiver each and work a treat for reading and clearing codes.
Cleared codes on both the zed and the wife’s Astra. Bought and extra dongle so I have one in the zed and my daily.
Cleared codes on both the zed and the wife’s Astra. Bought and extra dongle so I have one in the zed and my daily.
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Best choice for a simple code reader?
I've tried cheap generic code readers and they didn't give sufficient information in some cases with previous cars and no info at all on our Z with the transmission warning light problem I had. So want to invest in something which will be better than basic but not OTT. I will need to dismantle the doors to tighten the problematic window bolts soon (one dropped out with a clunk last week) so I need something to work with air bags.
- R60BBA
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Best choice for a simple code reader?
Current: 2002 E46 M3
Current: 2004 R53 Cooper S
Current: 2005 997 Carrera S
Gone: 1998 E31 840Ci Sport
Gone: 2007 Z4 E86 3.0Si Sport
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Current: 2004 R53 Cooper S
Current: 2005 997 Carrera S
Gone: 1998 E31 840Ci Sport
Gone: 2007 Z4 E86 3.0Si Sport
Gone: 2001 Z3 E36/7 2.2i San Remo Individual
Gone: 2015 F21 116d M Sport
Gone: 2012 A3 Sportback 1.2TFSI
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Best choice for a simple code reader?
I have both the C110 and Carly, both work well enough if it's simply code reading/clearing you want but I've found the C110 to be pretty slow to use and often takes a while to move between screens and don't think it's capable of reading as many modules as Carly, but it is significantly cheaper!
The strong argument for Carly would be it's ease of use and ability to perform coding but at £100+ for the adaptor and app it is quite pricey, it is also a bit hit and miss on 'live data', this function doesn't work on my 3.0si N52 engine which is annoying as it's the main reason I bought the bloody thing!
The 'free trial' for Carly is useless, will only be usable if you buy the full version of the app... and even then there are 'add ons' at further cost. I've heard good things about the torque app mentioned by srhutch so that could be the way forward if you wanted to use your phone as a fault code reader
The strong argument for Carly would be it's ease of use and ability to perform coding but at £100+ for the adaptor and app it is quite pricey, it is also a bit hit and miss on 'live data', this function doesn't work on my 3.0si N52 engine which is annoying as it's the main reason I bought the bloody thing!
The 'free trial' for Carly is useless, will only be usable if you buy the full version of the app... and even then there are 'add ons' at further cost. I've heard good things about the torque app mentioned by srhutch so that could be the way forward if you wanted to use your phone as a fault code reader
E86 Coupe 3.0si Sport - Montego Blue, Pearl Grey with Piano Black dash
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BC BR series Coilovers, powerflex bushes, 15mm spacers, Custom SS exhaust, CDV delete
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Best choice for a simple code reader?
I picked up a iCarsoft i910-II pretty cheap from amazon (£55) and am happy with it.
If you get it, no need to update the software as it is already on the latest, so ignore those comments that said they bricked it updating the software. They downloaded an older firmware from the iCarsoft site and tried to put a lower version over a higher versi;on.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00 ... UTF8&psc=1
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Best choice for a simple code reader?
Now, what about the Foxwell NT510? I'm still not sold on Carly, as I don't have an Android or Apple phone.......... I do have an old Android tablet somewhere but it probably isn't compatible with Carly.
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Best choice for a simple code reader?
I've noticed that some people who post are using laptops. What software and connectors are needed to go down that route?
- Magicarcher
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Best choice for a simple code reader?
When I had an airbag fault, I tried purchasing one of these hand held code readers off Amazon I think it was a BMW C110 +. It cleared all my faults except my airbag fault. I also tried BMW scanner 1.4 and dongle on a laptop, that also wouldn't clear it. In the end I purchased ISTA-D installed on a laptop and it had not problems clearing it.
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Best choice for a simple code reader?
I got a Creator C501 to clear an Airbag Code. Hopefully, it will clear service reminders when I need that as well. So far, for the price ($85 from Amazon in the US), seems like the ticket.
Harry
1970 VW Sunroof Bus - "The Magic Bus"
1973.5 911T Targa - "Smokey"
2003 BMW Z4
2009 MB C300
1970 VW Sunroof Bus - "The Magic Bus"
1973.5 911T Targa - "Smokey"
2003 BMW Z4
2009 MB C300
- ZedM
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Best choice for a simple code reader?
ELM327/Torque App/Mobile phone works great for me! Not had to clear any airbag lights though. (Hope I'm not tempting fate! )srhutch wrote: ↑Mon Feb 05, 2018 10:44 pmIf you have an android phone then a ELM327 Bluetooth dongle and the app called torque. Get them for about a fiver each and work a treat for reading and clearing codes.
Cleared codes on both the zed and the wife’s Astra. Bought and extra dongle so I have one in the zed and my daily.
2003 Sterling Grey 2.5i SE, 17" Turbines and Falkens (no tramlining!), CDV Delete, Roof Motor Relocation by DLV.
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Best choice for a simple code reader?
I haven't taken the plunge yet so I still evaluating the options as well as being open to new ones.
What's the thoughts on the BMW diagnostic software & cable from BMCable ?
What's the thoughts on the BMW diagnostic software & cable from BMCable ?