OBD Reader

[CliveN]

This will be sent to a “view topic” I am sure but I would like definitive advice on which code reader thing (you can see I understand electronics) with which I can begin to know/understand the cars faults. It has to cover all electronic stuff not just an engine - and has to be completely idiot proof. So anything that prosupposes a person has any earlier experience has to be out. Thanks for your help

[enuff_zed]

Ah-ha! A fellow luddite. Welcome.
My first purchase was an Autophix 5900, which covered everything I needed until I got carried away with coding etc and tried more exotic stuff.
For simply reading all the faults and displaying them in an easy to understand way I cannot fault this reader.
Many others opt for the Creator 310+.
I have yet to have been able to use these side by side but it does seem as though they have very similar abilities.

[raymond.harper]

I have an Ancel BM700 which I get on very well with probably on account of the fact it is quite big.

[colb]

Pricewise the Creator 310+ or their latest version 410+ will provide you with the access to the modules on your car without breaking the bank. They are on ebay and Amazon and are idiot proof so no worries on that part.

[javis20]

I'm using Bimmergeeks ProTool from my android phone. Does both coding and diagnostics.

[CliveN]

Does the creator work on both e86 and e89. In other words are they car specific or are they pre programmed with every known car in the world - sorry simple question!

[N4LLY]

All BMW's. Just get the BMW specific one

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Creator-Batter ... B09QC4J7FQ

[CliveN]

Thank you

[Andrew J]

Pricewise the Creator 310+ or their latest version 410+ will provide you with the access to the modules on your car without breaking the bank. They are on ebay and Amazon and are idiot proof so no worries on that part.

From looking at the adverts on amazon, the difference between the 310+ & the 410 is battery reset. I swear I'm not a troglodyte but I just can't see anything else?

There's a 310+ for 39 beer tokens on ebay (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/305404061887 ... nLFFAAAAAA) which is a hefty saving compared to the 410 anywhere else (in fact it's a whole abs sensor saving and it looks like the car needs one of those now too). It's 20 beer tokens cheaper than a 310+ anywhere else so I'm thinking maybe it's too good to be true? Any experience known on the forum with this ebay shop (supershop2050)?

[enuff_zed]

Only big difference I can now see between Creator and Autophix is that the latter will check the whole car with one button press but Creator needs to be aimed at the specific system one at a time?

[Andrew J]

Only big difference I can now see between Creator and Autophix is that the latter will check the whole car with one button press but Creator needs to be aimed at the specific system one at a time?

Sorry, luddite question incoming...if I was to use the c310+, I would have to select each system in the car and scan for P codes separately? I thought the whole point of scanning the car was to give the code so you know where to start? Or is it the bmw specific codes that you have to scan each system for?

[enuff_zed]

Only big difference I can now see between Creator and Autophix is that the latter will check the whole car with one button press but Creator needs to be aimed at the specific system one at a time?

Sorry, luddite question incoming...if I was to use the c310+, I would have to select each system in the car and scan for P codes separately? I thought the whole point of scanning the car was to give the code so you know where to start? Or is it the bmw specific codes that you have to scan each system for?

I haven’t used one myself, but reading other people’s comments it seems you have to scan each system individually. Apologies to Creator users if I misunderstood that.

[darich]

Reading with interest...I'm interested in buying a scanner/reader for my E86 but am completely new to BMW systems.

Looking for something that will read errors and allow me to change coding like 3 indicator flashes when I nudge the stalk. Or lights flash on lock and unlock.

[enuff_zed]

Reading with interest...I'm interested in buying a scanner/reader for my E86 but am completely new to BMW systems.

Looking for something that will read errors and allow me to change coding like 3 indicator flashes when I nudge the stalk. Or lights flash on lock and unlock.

If you want to code as well as read faults then try this:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/154021453500

It reads codes and clearly gives explanations of what they are.
It also allows you to code options through the light control module and GM5 as you are requesting.

A bonus is that it will reset Transport Mode. It does not delete it from the car, so it could happen again, but it will allow you to reset it.

[darich]

If you want to code as well as read faults then try this:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/154021453500

It reads codes and clearly gives explanations of what they are.
It also allows you to code options through the light control module and GM5 as you are requesting.

A bonus is that it will reset Transport Mode. It does not delete it from the car, so it could happen again, but it will allow you to reset it.

Thanks
I'd need to message the seller...I've no idea if I'd need the unsupplied cable he mentions in his listing.