Generic Diagnostic / Coding Tool Recommendations

[AlexGSi2000]

Morning,

The time has come where I need to review the software / diagnostics I use.

I have a few old versions of VCDS / BMW INPA.etc, but they are starting to show thier age and not do some of the things I need; coding / compatibility with newer cars.etc

As I now seem seem to be the family mechanic - I get given all kinds to work on and often not been able to do the job as I dont have the software (coding of replacement modules / electronic handbrake service mode / service reset.etc)

Therefore instead of buying the likes of BMW kit, I think it would be benificial to look at something more generic, but capable of doing the things I need?

As I do the odd jobs for family from time to time, it will probably only get used from time to time, so some of the new expensive gear is out of the question, so have been thinking about looking for used items - Autel maybe?

In terms of budget, I have around £450 if anyone could make any recommendations?

Have seen a few cheaper ebay items, but you need "tokens" each time you do something, which I'm not too keen on.

[GreenV8S]

Anything you buy will only work in specific situations. To cover all current brands and models would requite a large set of tools, some of them expensive. It's probably more realistic to buy what you need when you need it, assuming you're dealing with a problem that warrants the cost. Equiping yourself with a suite of tools that only get used once would obviously sink a lot of money. It's justifiable for a business where they might get used weekly, but hardly sensible for a DIYer.

[GVK]

A friend just bought a used AUTEL mk808, it does quite a lot for just being a small Android tablet based tool, available on Amazon. The other thing that I've seen a few You tubers use is the TopDon artdiag, it's also a touch screen thing, about £375 on Amazon, looks great value for the functions available

.

Edited by GVK on Sunday 31st March 05:06

[Belle427]

£450 wont get you much really, problem with Autel stuff is the cost of the updates but ive never compared the prices.
Id probably take a look at the Topdon stuff, im a fan of this guy and he seems to use it a lot.
https://youtu.be/BwoRCM-jIbg?si=ZUboSRMySKkugOnX

[Grenadier_45]

You've probably trawled YouTube already for videos like this one (I picked one at random!)?

I have the older XTool D7* (corded) bought for similar reasons to those you state, and have used it across a variety of car brands now and it's been very good - it's done everything I've asked, including bi-direction command of the car's systems. I've not used it for updating ECU firmware or anything that low level, and while it has some capability for that for VAG cars (I think!), that kind of thing makes me nervous, so I'd probably find another way.

Would I buy another D7 now? Yes, but if I could stretch to it, I'd seriously consider the new one with the wireless connector. The idea of the Otofix (which I think another PH member mentioned a year or so back) being an Autel inside would alsobe quite appealing, as I don't remember that brand being on the market here when I bought mine. The clincher for me was the 3 years of updates, which for a casual user is very appealing. I'm not running a workshop needing a super-industrial tool, so it'll get gentler treatment than something used in that environment, and therefore hopefully live long enough to take advantage of said updates ...

• I might have mentioned in a previous post that my decision was based on a review by the Car Care Nut on YT - I wanted something which would do Toyota/Lexus in particular

[AlexGSi2000]

Thanks for the recommendations.

The generic devices within my budget are not capable of carrying out the more advanced functions I will require soon (programming a replacement module on a BMW), so have decided to go down the route of upgrading / replacing my BMW diagnostic equipment.

[AlexGSi2000]

Just as an update to this thread (better late than never).

I've not been able to carry out mundane tasks recently which has been frustrating - things like registering a replacement battery / diagnostics on anything other than BMWs.

I've just ordered a Topdon Artidiag 800 V2 from ebay for £245.
Spent a couple of hours comparing brands / models, this one seems like a good option for the budget as I imagine it will only be used a few times per year.

Its due to arrive tomorrow, will feed back once I've used it.

[fooman]

That's not an outrageous price. Is there any ongoing subscription?

[AlexGSi2000]

fooman said:

That's not an outrageous price. Is there any ongoing subscription?

I'm sure there will be in there somewhere - seems to be the way they are all going these days.
Seen a few brands on ebay where you need to buy tokens for service resets.etc

Cant really be faffed with that if I can avoid it, however probably means a larger initial spend.

There are a lot of sponsored / promotion videos on the likes of YT, Im not sure if they omit license / fees on purpose.

The one I have purchased states there are two years of free updates - following on from that I believe its around £100pa.

My logic would be to just forget the updates after two years as I doubt I would have a new / recent vehicle, then just buy the newer version after 7 or so years.

Wether or not the device stops working if its not updated is a different matter.

Call me oldschool but I prefer the perpetual license model - I still have VCDS that I purchased 10 years ago that still works perfectly well.

[paul_c123]

AlexGSi2000 said:

I have a few old versions of VCDS / BMW INPA.etc, but they are starting to show thier age and not do some of the things I need; coding / compatibility with newer cars.etc

What age of cars? What kind of coding? My iCarsoft CR MAX can (and has) done short and long encoding on VAG; injector adaption on a 2014 Jaguar; injector adaption on a 2010 BMW. And I dare say, can do a lot more but these are the examples which come to mind

......................

AlexGSi2000 said:

Have seen a few cheaper ebay items, but you need "tokens" each time you do something.

Do you mean the kind where they cut back the features but then offer "tokens" as a kind of pay-as-you-go?

Or more modern secure gateway access on (for example) Stellantis/FCA Group vehicles from 2018? If its this, then AFAIK ALL non-manufacturer-level devices use paid-for tokens (and need internet connection while doing it). If you need secure gateway access the scanners tend to be £1000+ (and obviously, some tokens too).

[AlexGSi2000]

paul_c123 said:

AlexGSi2000 said:

I have a few old versions of VCDS / BMW INPA.etc, but they are starting to show thier age and not do some of the things I need; coding / compatibility with newer cars.etc

What age of cars? What kind of coding? My iCarsoft CR MAX can (and has) done short and long encoding on VAG; injector adaption on a 2014 Jaguar; injector adaption on a 2010 BMW. And I dare say, can do a lot more but these are the examples which come to mind

......................

AlexGSi2000 said:

Have seen a few cheaper ebay items, but you need "tokens" each time you do something.

Do you mean the kind where they cut back the features but then offer "tokens" as a kind of pay-as-you-go?

Or more modern secure gateway access on (for example) Stellantis/FCA Group vehicles from 2018? If its this, then AFAIK ALL non-manufacturer-level devices use paid-for tokens (and need internet connection while doing it). If you need secure gateway access the scanners tend to be £1000+ (and obviously, some tokens too).

The coding I needed to do at the time was BMW specific - on an f25 X3 to be precise.
The module for the suspension had failed, unfortunately not a plug and play change as the module needed to be on a similar version of firmware to the rest of the car, then know about all the other modules / features.etc
I ended up doing this with ISTA+ on an ICOM cable - it updated all the other modules on the car then programmed the used suspension model I purchased.
No doubt some of the higher end scanners/tools could have done this, but going down the route of a specific BMW tool was more cost effective.
Most of the cars in the family are BMWs so it gets used fairly frequently.

Yep, know what you mean about the secure gateway access, however the tokens for the items I had seen were just for plain old service resets on any age of car.

[AlexGSi2000]

The Topdon Artidiag 800 V2 arrived yesterday, here are my initial thoughts;

- Build quality is very good, has the feel of a premium product.
- The custom version of android is quite good - feels quite polished compared to some bespoke Android systems I have used in the past.
- Device cannot be used without an account, at the point you register it starts the clock for the 24-months updates.
- Once the tool was connected to WiFi there were various firmware / software and vehicle library updates.
- Responsive tool, no "lag" within Android.
- Once a vehicle scan has been completed it can be saved as a "report" which you can then email - nice touch.

So far I have plugged it into two cars;

- 2002 Audi TT to read fault codes & carry out an ABS pump actuation - no issues.
- 2014 Skoda Octavia battery module reset & battery capacity change - no issues.

At this point its looking like a good tool and I'm happy with it.
I'm hoping the tool continues to work when the free 24 months updates expire, however I expect it may cease unless an update package is purchased - time will tell.

If it does cease to work after the 24 months then it will have cost £10.20 per month in total, in which case I am already £6.55 up as my friend gave me a case of Punk IPA in return for the battery reset

[Belle427]

They don't normally stop working when free updates run out.
I have an Autel which still functions ok and the updates ran out 2 years ago.
I don't use it enough to worry too much about it.

[E-bmw]

As above, no, it won't stop working, you just won't be able to update.

Top tip - Do an update just before then & it will be good for many years service until you need it on a car not covered in your last update.