OBD Scanner Advice

Varixto

Varixto

Member
Hi,

I would like to buy an OBD Scanner for my E89 30i SDrive.
At the moment, I am considering these two options:

Option A
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/39322201...pmnjXsZT96&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
Option B
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/27622764...pmnjXsZT96&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Both seem to have options for the EPB (to be able to replace rear discs/pads), register batteries, etc...

Which one should I go for?
One of them (Launch X431) seems to be some sort of Android-based tablet at its core? Would that be better?

Any other product suggestion/recommendation?
The budget I set myself for this is around £110-£130.

Thanks
 
Bimmergeeks Protool is the best this side of BMWs PC based ISTA

Not the most intuitive but much better than almost any other app or low cost scanner
 
I use the Bimmerlink app and it's really easy to use. Shows all the BMW fault codes and you can register a new battery. Just buy a Bluetooth connector to wirelessly connect the car to your phone through the OBD2 port.. I use a Veepeak BLE + which always connects without a problem. Around £35 or £40 on Amazon. The app is £31 and there aren't any subscription charges.
 
Had my foxwell 10 years now, couldn't be without it now the number of times i have used it to read codes, reg. battery, fault find and re-tune.
Can't program, but nothing i want to change.
You can't be without one owning a car or Z4 with it's roof.
 
B21 said:
Bimmergeeks Protool… :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
Thanks everyone for your replies. Although originally I did not feel the need to code, it is true that it is a feature that might come in handy at some point... Which Bluetooth OBD 2 connector/adaptor should I buy?
I have an ELM327 OBD2 Bluetooth scanner/adaptor which I use in conjunction with an app called Car Scanner for my daily drive (Renault Megane Coupe MK3). Would this work with the Bimmergeeks app?
 
Varixto said:
B21 said:
Bimmergeeks Protool… :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
Which Bluetooth OBD 2 connector/adaptor should I buy?
I have an ELM327 OBD2 Bluetooth scanner/adaptor which I use in conjunction with an app called Car Scanner for my daily drive (Renault Megane Coupe MK3). Would this work with the Bimmergeeks app?
Click to expand...

Because it’s much more sophisticated in terms of coding etc it’s more fussy on its connection requirements..
 

Attachments

  • IMG_3025.jpeg
    IMG_3025.jpeg
    154.7 KB · Views: 558
Please forgive me for hijacking this post, I too have an E89 30i and require a new OBD reader (I have a C110 for my E39 that has worked well).
I am computer illiterate and struggle badly with such technology. :headbang: I do not have a smartphone (old Nokia flip keeps me in touch with family), but can get an old Samsung off someone if I need to.
I just had a look at bimmergeeks website and am already mystified by all the options. Neither have I ever had Facebook. :cry: So, is there a simple reader for an old git like me, or a tutorial to help me select what I need.
Sorry :tumbleweed:
 
Bluebottle said:
Please forgive me for hijacking this post, I too have an E89 30i and require a new OBD reader (I have a C110 for my E39 that has worked well).
I am computer illiterate and struggle badly with such technology. :headbang: I do not have a smartphone (old Nokia flip keeps me in touch with family), but can get an old Samsung off someone if I need to.
I just had a look at bimmergeeks website and am already mystified by all the options. Neither have I ever had Facebook. :cry: So, is there a simple reader for an old git like me, or a tutorial to help me select what I need.
Sorry :tumbleweed:
Click to expand...


For you this is probably a better idea..I have one of those too!

https://autopartsanddiagnostics.com/portfolio-item/foxwell-nt520-pro-full-systems-bmw-mini
 
Bluebottle said:
Please forgive me for hijacking this post, I too have an E89 30i and require a new OBD reader (I have a C110 for my E39 that has worked well).
I am computer illiterate and struggle badly with such technology. :headbang: I do not have a smartphone (old Nokia flip keeps me in touch with family), but can get an old Samsung off someone if I need to.
I just had a look at bimmergeeks website and am already mystified by all the options. Neither have I ever had Facebook. :cry: So, is there a simple reader for an old git like me, or a tutorial to help me select what I need.
Sorry :tumbleweed:
Click to expand...

I bought a Creator C410 off Amazon yesterday for ~£55. It reads and clears the codes on my E89 and my F25, so first impressions are it’s all I need, at a reasonable price.
 
TBDL said:
I bought a Creator C410 off Amazon yesterday for ~£55. It reads and clears the codes on my E89 and my F25, so first impressions are it’s all I need, at a reasonable price.
Click to expand...

Thanks TBDL :thumbsup:
 
I had a few of those bluetooth remote plug in things, non ever worked properly.
So i bought that Foxwell NT 520 pro. with the BMW specific firmware. It has a lead and plug so no faffing trying to link.
It is sort of part of the car now.
No one should own a Zed without a code reader, does so much.

If my car had been taken to BMW it would have cost me thousands by now.
Probably all the faults these cars have had, they don't hold value.
 
JakeS76 said:
I use the Bimmerlink app and it's really easy to use. Shows all the BMW fault codes and you can register a new battery. Just buy a Bluetooth connector to wirelessly connect the car to your phone through the OBD2 port.. I use a Veepeak BLE + which always connects without a problem. Around £35 or £40 on Amazon. The app is £31 and there aren't any subscription charges.
Click to expand...
Worth pointing out here that I had a cheap Bluetooth dongle and I thought it would be handy to just leave it plugged in all the time. What I didn't realise was that it was always live, and killed (not just drained) my battery in a couple of weeks.
 
Worth pointing out here that I had a cheap Bluetooth dongle and I thought it would be handy to just leave it plugged in all the time. What I didn't realise was that it was always live, and killed (not just drained) my battery in a couple of weeks.
Click to expand...

Very useful observation; I keep a BT one plugged into the Z as I use it for OBD Fusion. I had not considered the battery drain, but you are of course correct that OBD port is permanently live. I will have to unplug it if I am leaving the car for extended periods.
 
Hi again,
Thanks everyone for your replies, comments and screenshots.
After much deliberation, I have decided to buy the LAUNCH X431 ELITE 2.0
I watched several Youtube reviews including some that give you tips on how to avoid connection and other type of errors that some users have reported about this scanner (see links below for said reviews).
I think this scanner has all the features I will ever need (apart from coding) and I like the interface. I managed to get an offer + a 10% discount (with a code) on eBay so in the end it cost me £115 (down from the original asking price of £135).
Product link: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/276227649438 in case anyone's interested.
Reviews: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awrW4PpUBFs&t=12s and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQFC_nwiO5Y
I will update this thread once I begin using the reader and hope this thread helps other people considering buying an OBD2 scanner.
 
Something I will throw out there like a stinky turd. If your top stops midway, you will need to get into the boot to repair the problem. You can open the boot with ProTool. Other wise you will have to contort yourself to get to the fuse panel behind the glove box and do the pin 12 trick.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

V
OBD Scanner Advice
2
Replies
20
Views
932
Ldale
L
I
Vanos rebuild, does anyone have an obd scanner in surrey?
Replies
2
Views
598
Wassup
W
T
Cheapie OBD Scanner
Replies
4
Views
952
TitanTim
T
W
What is the best OBD scanner for 2003 E85 Z4
Replies
1
Views
1K
patriot66
P
A
OBD Scanner - Which app?
Replies
17
Views
13K
Anonymous
A
Back
Top Bottom