Diagnostic soft/hardware

ckksteve

Member
Hi folks, I was just wondering what you think is the best option for diagnostics and coding regards both hardware and software, there seems to be Carly, Protool or the INSTA/INPA bmw software but which is best overall ? I have an e89 35i with an uneven idle when cold and I’m thinking about retrofitting folding mirrors, I have a basic scan tool but I need something that can code. Carly I believe needs an on going subscription which I’m not keen on, Pro tool sounds good or third option buy a second hand laptop for the BMW software which at the moment is my preferred option, but there seems and awful lot of software packages around any recommendations? Any thoughts or advice would be much appreciated as I don’t want to waste money! PS I’m no computer geek but usually manage when I have to !!
Thanks
 
Carly isn’t the way forward in this context. INPA tools are and I use these in context with MHD flash and diagnostic tools.

Logging is possible with both but you need to know what you’re doing with INPA and MHD is really simple and can output data you can immediately upload to the likes of DataZap to perform graphing.

That said, the power loss issues I have still haven’t been diagnosed despite using these tools, so nothing is guaranteed and they will only give you data, it’s up to you then to understand what they are saying.

As for coding, Carly is ok and MHD offers some options but it’s mainly for engine work.
 
ckksteve said:
Hi folks, I was just wondering what you think is the best option for diagnostics and coding regards both hardware and software, there seems to be Carly, Protool or the INSTA/INPA bmw software but which is best overall ? I have an e89 35i with an uneven idle when cold and I’m thinking about retrofitting folding mirrors, I have a basic scan tool but I need something that can code. Carly I believe needs an on going subscription which I’m not keen on, Pro tool sounds good or third option buy a second hand laptop for the BMW software which at the moment is my preferred option, but there seems and awful lot of software packages around any recommendations? Any thoughts or advice would be much appreciated as I don’t want to waste money! PS I’m no computer geek but usually manage when I have to !!
Thanks

Best option is to buy a nice small laptop with a good battery and a "Bimmergeeks Pro Cable". Then download the virtual machine that contains ISTA+. The thread should have all the info you need to get the VM setup.

Cable: https://www.bimmergeeks.net/product-page/bimmergeeks-pro-cable
Virtual Machine: https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1220039
 
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