[9iron]

Ive been kicking around the idea of picking up the Schwaben scan tool from ECS for $200. The main reason i want this is my car has 99k miles ('08 328i E90) and is still on the original water pump. Ive heard the pump will start to throw codes before it fails, and a heads-up would be nice. It would save a tow to the mechanic at least, and who knows when my pump will crap out.....probably at the worst time.

Is this a good scan tool? Is there something cheaper that will do the trick? I plan on driving this car for AT LEAST another 50k miles, so it may be nice to have to diagnose other issues too.

What do you guys think?

[larrysing]

Originally Posted by 9iron

Ive been kicking around the idea of picking up the Schwaben scan tool from ECS for $200. The main reason i want this is my car has 99k miles ('08 328i E90) and is still on the original water pump. Ive heard the pump will start to throw codes before it fails, and a heads-up would be nice. It would save a tow to the mechanic at least, and who knows when my pump will crap out.....probably at the worst time.

Is this a good scan tool? Is there something cheaper that will do the trick? I plan on driving this car for AT LEAST another 50k miles, so it may be nice to have to diagnose other issues too.

What do you guys think?

I clear codes on my both of my E90 2011 335d cars with an OBD2 wi-fi device and an associated app. Cost far less than $200. There are options. Thanks much.

[9iron]

Originally Posted by larrysing

I clear codes on my both of my E90 2011 335d cars with an OBD2 wi-fi device and an associated app. Cost far less than $200. There are options. Thanks much.

Thanks, Larry. Do you know if that one will show waterpump codes? I heard the OBDII scanners wont show BMW specific codes?

[kkasson]

Originally Posted by 9iron

Thanks, Larry. Do you know if that one will show waterpump codes? I heard the OBDII scanners wont show BMW specific codes?

Yes, there are some codes (water pump codes included) that won't show up on a generic OBD2 scanner.

I don't know much about the Schwaben tool. Most people seem happy with the Bavarian Technic. I haven't personally used either of them, but the BT seems to be the most common one. It's $179 for single-car use, or $287 for up to 3 cars.

[larrysing]

Originally Posted by kkasson

Yes, there are some codes (water pump codes included) that won't show up on a generic OBD2 scanner.

I don't know much about the Schwaben tool. Most people seem happy with the Bavarian Technic. I haven't personally used either of them, but the BT seems to be the most common one. It's $179 for single-car use, or $287 for up to 3 cars.

I own this one also. It seems to be capable of all BMW codes, currently $92:

https://jet.com/product/BMW-MINI-iCa...bcd9ec821eb53e

[9iron]

The one thing i want to know is this: What is the best (value) tool that reads "shadow" codes (i.e. 2E84, 2E81, etc..)? I basically want a predictor of water pump failure.....it will be nice to reset the oil change light and other simple things. I have no interest in coding or other complex engineering data.

BMWhat and Torque apps seem like a decent, cheap option.....not sure if they read shadow codes though?

[9iron]

Originally Posted by larrysing

I own this one also. It seems to be capable of all BMW codes, currently $92:

https://jet.com/product/BMW-MINI-iCa...bcd9ec821eb53e

Do you know if it reads the water pump codes? I googled it and couldnt find an answer. I read somewhere that it specifically will NOT read them in an N52 motor.

I'd buy that one in a second if it did....$90 is a no brainer.

[larrysing]

Originally Posted by 9iron

Do you know if it reads the water pump codes? I googled it and couldnt find an answer. I read somewhere that it specifically will NOT read them in an N52 motor.

I'd buy that one in a second if it did....$90 is a no brainer.

I would guess since it is a BMW/Mini specific device, and they advertise and promote it as such, that it would be a fully-rounded tool with all BMW and Mini code reading capabilities.

I looked up the contact info for you, and you can specifically ask them:

Sales Center
Isabella Hussein
E-mail:sales@icarsoft.us

Order Center
Cynthia Brook
E-mailrder@icarsoft.us

After-sales Center
Hillary Evans
E-mail:magic@icarsoft.us

Technical Support
Barnett Davies
E-mail:support@icarsoft.us

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by 9iron

Ive been kicking around the idea of picking up the Schwaben scan tool from ECS for $200. The main reason i want this is my car has 99k miles ('08 328i E90) and is still on the original water pump. Ive heard the pump will start to throw codes before it fails, and a heads-up would be nice. It would save a tow to the mechanic at least, and who knows when my pump will crap out.....probably at the worst time.

Is this a good scan tool? Is there something cheaper that will do the trick? I plan on driving this car for AT LEAST another 50k miles, so it may be nice to have to diagnose other issues too.

What do you guys think?

I don't think it could hurt to buy this scanner from ECS. Especially, if you plan on buying another BMW. It's either that or buy the Carly app and their specific adapters on Amazon, for about $100.00 total cost.

I have heard that ECS intends to update this scanner in the near future, which will allow it to "code". Something to think about.

As far as your water pump. You should change it out ASAP. Once your water pump makes it past 100k, its now in the top 10% of all water pumps by my estimate, with regard to longevity to this specific part. You can scan your car every other day if you want hoping to catch the code, but I wouldn't do that.

Your best bet is to go to BMW Fans website and get the part numbers for your water pump, thermostat and the U-shaped pipe that connect the two. Then start finding deals. If you wait, you will be paying a towing bill of at least $100.00, and you will be paying top dollar for parts and shipping fees.

Go to the obvious sites like ECS, Bav Auto, FCP Euro, Pelican & Amazon. I would then see about deals that you can get at BMW dealers known to sell parts on-line. Morris town, Fairfax, Atlanta and others for example. Husky is another BMW dealership in Nebraska that sells parts for cheap.

[catcher22]

I don't know much about the ECS Scan Tool, but it sounds like it has the about the same capabilities as the Bav Tech Tool (which is cheaper).

If all you want to do is scan your car, there are much cheaper alternatives out there. I believe there are even some free apps you can download. All you'd need to buy is a cable to interface with your phone/tablet/computer/etc.

Heck, the MHD flash is less than $100 and can do everything that scan tool can do, and more.

$200 for that scan tool waste of money with so many other cheaper options out there that provide greater capabilities, IMO.

Also, looking for waterpump codes is pretty futile. Most of the time the pump just dies without throwing any codes, or almost immediately after it throws some codes (lol). If there is an issue and it does throw codes, well you better be scanning on a daily/weekly basis because the pump won't last much longer than that when it's on its way out.

[9iron]

Thanks for the advice guys. I looked into it more (emailed a few companies) and very few will scan the "shadow" codes. That being said, its probably worthwhile to put that money towards a new waterpump anyway. Like you guys say, there is no guarantee it will throw any codes, and if it does it may only be a day or two before it craps out.

I was quoted $850 for parts and labor by a local shop for pump and tstat.....fair deal or not? Thanks again for the advice.

[Bmw_Crazy]

Try this

https://jet.com/product/BMW-MINI-iCa...bcd9ec821eb53e

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by 9iron

Thanks for the advice guys. I looked into it more (emailed a few companies) and very few will scan the "shadow" codes. That being said, its probably worthwhile to put that money towards a new waterpump anyway. Like you guys say, there is no guarantee it will throw any codes, and if it does it may only be a day or two before it craps out.

I was quoted $850 for parts and labor by a local shop for pump and tstat.....fair deal or not? Thanks again for the advice.

You can DIY it for $450-75.

There is a very good DIY video on BAV auto.

[zoppp]

Try INPA? It took me a while to get it installed but it has all of the BMW diagnostic features. They use it in the dealerships and all. All you need is a K-DCAN Cable which I got for $20 off amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ilpage_o06_s00

Nice thing about this is that you can also do coding on your car once you get all setup.

[SmellyGreek]

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1224276

Looks pretty good for the money. I might hold off for ~6 months as the software matures and new features are added.

[luv135i]

I use Carly and its great.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by catcher22

I don't know much about the ECS Scan Tool, but it sounds like it has the about the same capabilities as the Bav Tech Tool (which is cheaper).

If all you want to do is scan your car, there are much cheaper alternatives out there. I believe there are even some free apps you can download. All you'd need to buy is a cable to interface with your phone/tablet/computer/etc.

Heck, the MHD flash is less than $100 and can do everything that scan tool can do, and more.

$200 for that scan tool waste of money with so many other cheaper options out there that provide greater capabilities, IMO.

Also, looking for waterpump codes is pretty futile. Most of the time the pump just dies without throwing any codes, or almost immediately after it throws some codes (lol). If there is an issue and it does throw codes, well you better be scanning on a daily/weekly basis because the pump won't last much longer than that when it's on its way out.

I completely disagree with this. My pump was throwing trouble codes for months and over 10,000 miles before it died.

[Tola]

Hi everyone, this will be my first post.

The scan tool your looking at from ecs is not made by schwaben, its just repackaged by them and marked up. Here is the exact same scan tool on amazon for less $$ and with good reviews. I plan on buying on soon. Sold an Audi for a BMW, really miss the vag-com platform for Audis, wish they'd do BMW's as well.


http://www.amazon.com/Foxwell-Multi-..._dp_o_pC_S_ttl

[Jklad]

Originally Posted by Tola

Hi everyone, this will be my first post.

The scan tool your looking at from ecs is not made by schwaben, its just repackaged by them and marked up. Here is the exact same scan tool on amazon for less $$ and with good reviews. I plan on buying on soon. Sold an Audi for a BMW, really miss the vag-com platform for Audis, wish they'd do BMW's as well.


http://www.amazon.com/Foxwell-Multi-..._dp_o_pC_S_ttl

I think the ecs version has different features than the Schwaben version. Also, this is a more comprehensive tool than the bavtech.

[mlifxs]

google b1mmers0ftware (get my drift?) software is free or donate. site has links to required cable. software reads dme codea, which includes waterpump.

i also have Carly, which reads other computer modules but runs roughly $100 for adapter and software.