Best OBDII Reader?

stal023 · Post by **stal023** » Wed Sep 01, 2021 6:19 pm

I'm in the states and new to the bimmer world. Best reader that won't break the bank? I've only ever owned the cheap OBDII reader that I know won't work on this car.

mr.tourette · Post by **mr.tourette** » Wed Sep 01, 2021 7:00 pm

Autophix 5900 for me

colb · Post by **colb** » Wed Sep 01, 2021 7:10 pm

I can reccommend a Creator 310+ as a good code reader and reset tool, available on ebay and Amazon.Works fine on my Z4 and Z3 and is portable so easy to carry in the car. I also run BMW INPA and BMW Scanner 1.4 on a laptop, usually go to the Creator 310+ first when I want to scan the cars its easier than getting the laptop out.

DMike · Post by **DMike** » Wed Sep 01, 2021 7:53 pm

I’ve used a cheap obd-usb cable from ebay with INPA sw (older and runs on almost any Windows laptop) or recently ISTA-D, which requires quite a lot disc space. Some have had problems with either cable or sw installation, but I experienced no major issues. Both programs can do bmw specific tests, actuate controls and with some courage the cable can be used to program some of the cars settings. Cannot suggest any specific cable brand or ebayer as I bought mine ages ago.

Zedebee · Post by **Zedebee** » Wed Sep 01, 2021 8:26 pm

+1 for Creator 310+

kaiser01 · Post by **kaiser01** » Wed Sep 01, 2021 8:41 pm

I’ve got an iCarsoft CR Pro which is a great multi-manufacturer scanner. It’s more expensive than the single brand ones thought. However, in the long term it’s a better buy. I’ve used it on various Audi, BMWs, Jags, Land Rovers and Porsche.

stal023 · Post by **stal023** » Wed Sep 01, 2021 9:03 pm

colb wrote: ↑Wed Sep 01, 2021 7:10 pm I can reccommend a Creator 310+ as a good code reader and reset tool, available on ebay and Amazon.Works fine on my Z4 and Z3 and is portable so easy to carry in the car. I also run BMW INPA and BMW Scanner 1.4 on a laptop, usually go to the Creator 310+ first when I want to scan the cars its easier than getting the laptop out.

Why would I want two different devices?

stal023 · Post by **stal023** » Wed Sep 01, 2021 9:04 pm

kaiser01 wrote: ↑Wed Sep 01, 2021 8:41 pm I’ve got an iCarsoft CR Pro which is a great multi-manufacturer scanner. It’s more expensive than the single brand ones thought. However, in the long term it’s a better buy. I’ve used it on various Audi, BMWs, Jags, Land Rovers and Porsche.

Definitely want something that doesn't just work on a BMW, but dang, $400!!!!!

ou812a · Post by **ou812a** » Wed Sep 01, 2021 10:00 pm

Foxwell 510.....can buy on EBAY

Optinium · Post by **Optinium** » Wed Sep 01, 2021 10:21 pm

I just got an Autophix 7910 from Amazon for a little over £100, has code reading and erasing features as well as some more advanced ones like module recalibration, battery reset etc...

Got rid of my ABS warning light in a jiffy and had gave me some more codes to dig into.

lmacmil · Post by **lmacmil** » Thu Sep 02, 2021 12:49 am

I have one from BAFX and it works fine on mine with the Torque Android app.

stal023 · Post by **stal023** » Thu Sep 02, 2021 6:02 pm

Okay so it looks like all suggested are specific to BMW except iCarsoft CR Pro (BAFX is just a cheap obdii reader that can't do nearly what I need it to do). Any others out there that can work on other cars aside from BMW that isn't $400?

GuidoK · Post by **GuidoK** » Thu Sep 02, 2021 7:42 pm

stal023 wrote: ↑Thu Sep 02, 2021 6:02 pm Any others out there that can work on other cars aside from BMW that isn't $400?

Depends on what you want.
Most cheap obd2 readers can diagnose the P codes (what description they give to those can vary but you can look them up on the internet), but if you want.....say read out your ABS rings (wheel speed sensors) to see which one is defective (this is just one of the hundreds of things you can do with obd2) you'll either need the real BMW software (INPA or ISTA, and a $10 obd cable), or you need a more elaborate system like AUTEL (or one of the numerous other ones).
These vary between $800 and $8000
The manufacturers need to pay the car brands for intergration of the functionality, so some have different price and can do more or less on more or less brands.

But there is no doubt: with the $10 obd cable and either ISTA D/P or the INPA/ncs expert/tool32/winkfp software pack you can do everything (for flashing you obviously need flashfiles). But this is of course BMW group only.
The software can be found (hacked) on the www so paying for this software is a very questionable situation.

Point is that these are professional softwaresuites, so the learning curve is steep and for some functionality very very steep. Usually if you need to ask, you're not going to get there.

stal023 · Post by **stal023** » Fri Sep 03, 2021 1:40 pm

So are you saying the handheld ones that were suggested can't do what you are suggesting with the cable? I just want to be able to diagnose issues that arise which could be ABS, etc. as it's a used car and who knows what goes wrong with it

enuff_zed · Post by **enuff_zed** » Fri Sep 03, 2021 1:49 pm

GuidoK wrote: ↑Thu Sep 02, 2021 7:42 pm
Most cheap obd2 readers can diagnose the P codes (what description they give to those can vary but you can look them up on the internet), but if you want.....say read out your ABS rings (wheel speed sensors) to see which one is defective (this is just one of the hundreds of things you can do with obd2) you'll either need the real BMW software (INPA or ISTA, and a $10 obd cable), or you need a more elaborate system like AUTEL (or one of the numerous other ones).
or flashing you obviously need flashfiles). But this is of course BMW group only.

Just to clarify a little.
I have an Autophix 5900 and when I got the ABS, Traction and Tyre Pressure warnings on together it was able to tell me exactly which one of the ABS sensors was not working.
It also led me straight to the vanos solenoid valve that was sticking.
It tells me what is wrong in plain language which I like, being a simple soul.
I would imagine paying the extra for the 7910 will give you all this easy to use ability, plus more?

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