ISTA confusion

ISTA confusion

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Discussion

E82_125i

Original Poster:

326 posts

143 months

Monday 4th September 2023
quotequote all
Hi all
Im looking to get hold of a copy of Ista for diagnostics on the 125 but im finding it difficult to narrow down what version and cable i need.

I understand its a D-CAN cable i need but there seems to be various versions aswell as different versions of ISTA. I’ve heard theres a lot of cable’s out there that are counterfeit of just poor quality so am interested in where is best to source one.

Im completely new to the non app based diagnostics but what is the difference between inpa and ista and which is better for an E82. Im looking to track down faults that aren’t showing through Bimmerlink.

helix402

7,913 posts

189 months

Tuesday 5th September 2023
quotequote all
Inpa is older factory software. ISTA is more modern and in depth dealer software.

d_a_n1979

9,681 posts

79 months

Tuesday 5th September 2023
quotequote all
E82_125i said:
Hi all
Im looking to get hold of a copy of Ista for diagnostics on the 125 but im finding it difficult to narrow down what version and cable i need.

I understand its a D-CAN cable i need but there seems to be various versions aswell as different versions of ISTA. I’ve heard theres a lot of cable’s out there that are counterfeit of just poor quality so am interested in where is best to source one.

Im completely new to the non app based diagnostics but what is the difference between inpa and ista and which is better for an E82. Im looking to track down faults that aren’t showing through Bimmerlink.
Speak to Jimmy at CableShack - he'll sort you out with what's needed

E82_125i

Original Poster:

326 posts

143 months

Tuesday 5th September 2023
quotequote all
d_a_n1979 said:
Speak to Jimmy at CableShack - he'll sort you out with what's needed
Thats great - just what i need thank you! I think ISTA D is what i need from the sounds of it. My laptop is also slightly out of spec for ISTA it seems but is a windows 10. Im not sure of how tolerable ISTA is? As its an older laptop...

CoolHands

19,466 posts

202 months

Tuesday 5th September 2023
quotequote all
You need over a 100gb of free disk space and if eg you only have a 250gb hardrive you might well need to install it to the laptop from a separate hardrive as I did. Ie the download luv the install both on the same hardrive was too massive.

E82_125i

Original Poster:

326 posts

143 months

Tuesday 5th September 2023
quotequote all
CoolHands said:
You need over a 100gb of free disk space and if eg you only have a 250gb hardrive you might well need to install it to the laptop from a separate hardrive as I did. Ie the download luv the install both on the same hardrive was too massive.
Thanks so may need a fair bit of storage. The pc has 4gb even though they recommend 8.
Sadly cable shack is experiencing a supply issue so are out of stock-so had to go via amazon - was the same price as cable shack thankfully.

E82_125i

Original Poster:

326 posts

143 months

Friday 15th September 2023
quotequote all
Ok i didnt go for ISTA in the end and went for INPA as it came with the cable and had a disk containing BMW standard tools and was a one click install without all the faff with torrents and massive of space required.

Ive successfully got it connected and can read and clear codes so far! Doing a delve, as mentioned it isnt the most user friendly but would be interested to know what i can do with it to investigate sluggish performance on an N52 with no obvious codes or symptoms. Am i right in thinking you can run tests such on modules and running of things such as VANOS, Disa valves, Eccentric Shaft etc....I cant seem to find them in the sub menus and when you investigate online most people seem to say they require a different cable altogether?