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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum
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Code reading recommendations
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06-13-2017, 08:59 AM | #1 |
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Code reading recommendations
Hi guys, I'm looking for your recommendations for a straight forward code reader please. I want to be able to read codes on my 2007 E90 N53, clear codes etc to save going to see my mechanic who is 8 miles away. I'm not really interested in programming features/upgrades to the car or anything like that.
I have access to a laptop that has built in Bluetooth, or my smartphone is an Android based one (S6). I don't want to sound cheap, but I don't want to spend anymore than £50 really as I only need basic functionality. I'd rather take peoples recommendations who have experience rather than potentially order an inferior product. Thanks in advance. |
06-13-2017, 09:27 AM | #2 |
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If you are at all good with computers then getting a copy of Rheingold ISTA-D is briliant. You can get a copy for free and just buy the DCAN OBDII cable for about £30.
The easiest method though will be an app on the phone and a OBDII wifi or bluetooth tool. Like that Carly App. You can read and clear the codes. Monitor parameters etc. Rheingold can do all the apps can do and more obviously.
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06-13-2017, 02:00 PM | #3 |
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06-14-2017, 07:03 AM | #4 |
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I found that buying a decent quality DCAN cable and using INPA worked the best and was the easiest to get working. I wasted time and money on cheap cables and bluetooth adapters etc, none of which worked for me.
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06-16-2017, 08:17 AM | #5 |
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If you just want to read and clear codes, the Creator C310 is a best plug-n-play I've used. Very straight forward and inexpensive piece of kit!
Carly for BMW is more expensive and has a lot more bells and wistles. INPA is very technical and you need a good amount of time to set up and get to grips with. I would recommend the Creator. |
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06-18-2017, 10:26 PM | #6 |
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I use a Bluetooth adapter ( 5 quid i think off ebay) and a free app called obd doctor.
Reads and clears codes. Found and fixed thermostat , vanos and misfire with this kit. |
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06-26-2017, 06:32 AM | #8 |
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I ended up purchasing this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-FAULT-...4AAOSwZKBZIMlt I have successfully installed it onto a laptop using the DVD provided which includes various software, including INPA. INPA is pretty technical and not user friendly as others have mentioned, so I will need to spend time with it. So far I have managed to read codes in German and clear the codes, but in doing this I have also managed to clear things like average MPG at the same time. I accidentally turned on "Transport Mode" at one point which was a bit of a brown trouser moment lol, all sorted in the end though. Question - as I now have a working cable is there are software that I can download to the laptop for free or minimal cost to see how much more user friendly it is for basics like reading and clearing error codes? |
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06-26-2017, 07:26 AM | #9 |
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Find and download Rheingold, it's on the forums here. In a nutshell it's a more user friendly version of INPA, it does everything INPA does and reads and resets codes.
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06-27-2017, 02:18 AM | #10 |
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Rheingold will also tell you what to check and how to fix problems once they are thrown up.
4.05.31 is the latest version.
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