Diagnostics

[spammy]

what is a good diagnostic soft ware and where to get it? .

[Reamesy]

You can start with Bluetooth dongles like Carista £15 for the dongle then a subscription or Carly around £100 and BimmerLink needs a supported dongle and £30 for the Ap



Then standalone scanners like Autel MaxiPro or Com. These cost around 5-£600

Or get a laptop and install ISTA D or INPA for older cars. Then the right cable. K-DCAN for E85/86 and E89

All really depends on your intended use and needs.

[enuff_zed]

All really depends on your intended use and needs.

Exactly.
What are you intending to to with it?
There are hand held code readers such as Creator 310 and Autophix 5900 which are very good at pinpointing most basic faults.
If you want to code stuff then you'll be needing something more complex. Likewise if you want to see fancy readouts from every module etc. in the car.
So far I have only bought the Autophix and it has served me well.
Examples being diagnosis of a sticking shuttle valve in the vanos, identifying which ABS sensor was playing up, and only last week enabling me to read the data-stream from the steering angle sensor to prove it wasn't malfunctioning.
However, I am well aware it has limitations. For example I couldn't code a new module to the car with it, or accurately diagnose the difference between a failing spark plug or a coil.
So if you can tell us why you want one then you'll get a more targeted response.

[spammy]

well basically just to see if there are any faults and so i can pin point them my self without having a garage to tell me id rather tell them with in reason

[enuff_zed]

well basically just to see if there are any faults and so i can pin point them my self without having a garage to tell me id rather tell them with in reason

Then my suggestion would be the Creator 310 or the Autophix 5900.
From what I've read on here they both do more or less the same job.

[Griffo46]

well basically just to see if there are any faults and so i can pin point them my self without having a garage to tell me id rather tell them with in reason

Then my suggestion would be the Creator 310 or the Autophix 5900.
From what I've read on here they both do more or less the same job.

This is good info for me too, I have been looking for something that I can use for faults and also changing light/ door lock settings etc too. I’ve read the details about these online but doesn’t state I can do all that too.

[Reamesy]

well basically just to see if there are any faults and so i can pin point them my self without having a garage to tell me id rather tell them with in reason

Then my suggestion would be the Creator 310 or the Autophix 5900.
From what I've read on here they both do more or less the same job.

This is good info for me too, I have been looking for something that I can use for faults and also changing light/ door lock settings etc too. I’ve read the details about these online but doesn’t state I can do all that too.

I would check they can code settings as most just do diagnostic

[enuff_zed]

well basically just to see if there are any faults and so i can pin point them my self without having a garage to tell me id rather tell them with in reason

Then my suggestion would be the Creator 310 or the Autophix 5900.
From what I've read on here they both do more or less the same job.

This is good info for me too, I have been looking for something that I can use for faults and also changing light/ door lock settings etc too. I’ve read the details about these online but doesn’t state I can do all that too.

These ones I've mentioned read codes and are very clear in helping to diagnose faults.
They will NOT be able to change settings. For that you need Carly or something similar.

[spammy]

ok guys thanks for the info will take it onboard

[spammy]

need a good all rounder really as got three car not all BMW s so one that does all makes of cars

[enuff_zed]

need a good all rounder really as got three car not all BMW s so one that does all makes of cars

Hmmm. Beware the old saying "Jack of all trades, master of none!"

[spammy]

Well aware of that one as an RR engineer I wont go far wrong.

[enuff_zed]

Well aware of that one as an RR engineer I wont go far wrong.

I didn't mean you, I meant buying a generic code reader may not be the best solution.

By the way, I was a RR engineer too. On RB199 and Avon 103.

[spammy]

worked on rb 211 aero engines , parkside, and ansty. retired now.

[mac27040]

I would buy a second hand carly dongle then message me for the link to the software no annual fees...