Which diagnostic software?

Iaro · 09-02-2016, 12:21 PM

Guys I couldn't find much here about BMW diagnostic software so I'm sorry if this has be covered before.
Can somebody please explain to be ICOM and ISATA D/P? What should I invest into? Looked at eBay and I just don't seem to make sense of it all

Is ICOM hardware and ISTA software? Can somebody point me in the right direction?

335dlci · 09-02-2016, 02:13 PM

Icom is the diagnostic head that is plugged into the OBD or 20 pin connector. ISID is the diagnostic software. ISTA/P is programming/coding software made by bmw. I purchased rhiengold loaded on a laptop/tablet.

Iaro · 09-02-2016, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 335dlci

Icom is the diagnostic head that is plugged into the OBD or 20 pin connector. ISID is the diagnostic software. ISTA/P is programming/coding software made by bmw. I purchased rhiengold loaded on a laptop/tablet.

So you don't really need ICOM? Just a usb to OBD?

335dlci · 09-02-2016, 02:22 PM

Depends what your purpose is with it.

Iaro · 09-02-2016, 02:27 PM

Well I wanna be able to diagnose/program, reset modules and things like that.

335dlci · 09-02-2016, 02:37 PM

The obd may not be the best option if you plan on using ista to program. Programming with the obd will take a very long time to program the MOST control units.

Iaro · 09-02-2016, 02:50 PM

So what would you recommend?

Greck · 09-02-2016, 04:14 PM

ICOM + ISTA P + ISTA D - is the one of the best options.

335dlci · 09-02-2016, 05:42 PM

greck is correct if you want to do that stuff. the USB to OBD adapter is often used for INPA/NCS for changing coding/programming.

Iaro · 09-02-2016, 06:16 PM

ICOM A2 or A3?

335dlci · 09-02-2016, 08:31 PM

I have an icom a1

335inDe · 09-04-2016, 12:37 AM

Most of the stuff on ebay are clones (Chinese knockoffs) You really have to be careful as they just recase A1's in an A2 case and they also don't have heat sinks on the pcb boards so during the hot summer during a long write they are prone to failure. Just do a ton of research as clones are not created equal. I got mine on AliExpress for $230 free DHL and it's been flawless.

Iaro · 09-06-2016, 10:36 PM

Thanks guys for great info, now it makes sense.

09-02-2016, 12:21 PM	#1
Iaro Private First Class 114 Rep 138 Posts Drives: 2015 X5 xdrive50i M-Sport Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Lebanon PA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW x5 xdrive50i [0.00]	Which diagnostic software? Guys I couldn't find much here about BMW diagnostic software so I'm sorry if this has be covered before. Can somebody please explain to be ICOM and ISATA D/P? What should I invest into? Looked at eBay and I just don't seem to make sense of it all Is ICOM hardware and ISTA software? Can somebody point me in the right direction?
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09-02-2016, 02:13 PM	#2
335dlci Lieutenant Colonel 286 Rep 1,595 Posts Drives: 335d Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Socal iTrader: (0)	Icom is the diagnostic head that is plugged into the OBD or 20 pin connector. ISID is the diagnostic software. ISTA/P is programming/coding software made by bmw. I purchased rhiengold loaded on a laptop/tablet.
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09-02-2016, 02:22 PM	#4
335dlci Lieutenant Colonel 286 Rep 1,595 Posts Drives: 335d Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Socal iTrader: (0)	Depends what your purpose is with it.
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09-02-2016, 02:27 PM	#5
Iaro Private First Class 114 Rep 138 Posts Drives: 2015 X5 xdrive50i M-Sport Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Lebanon PA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW x5 xdrive50i [0.00]	Well I wanna be able to diagnose/program, reset modules and things like that.
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09-02-2016, 02:37 PM	#6
335dlci Lieutenant Colonel 286 Rep 1,595 Posts Drives: 335d Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Socal iTrader: (0)	The obd may not be the best option if you plan on using ista to program. Programming with the obd will take a very long time to program the MOST control units.
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09-02-2016, 02:50 PM	#7
Iaro Private First Class 114 Rep 138 Posts Drives: 2015 X5 xdrive50i M-Sport Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Lebanon PA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW x5 xdrive50i [0.00]	So what would you recommend?
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09-02-2016, 04:14 PM	#8
Greck Second Lieutenant 62 Rep 245 Posts Drives: e90 2011 335d / e70 2011 35d Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: CA, Bay Area iTrader: (0)	ICOM + ISTA P + ISTA D - is the one of the best options.
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09-02-2016, 05:42 PM	#9
335dlci Lieutenant Colonel 286 Rep 1,595 Posts Drives: 335d Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Socal iTrader: (0)	greck is correct if you want to do that stuff. the USB to OBD adapter is often used for INPA/NCS for changing coding/programming.
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09-02-2016, 06:16 PM	#10
Iaro Private First Class 114 Rep 138 Posts Drives: 2015 X5 xdrive50i M-Sport Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Lebanon PA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW x5 xdrive50i [0.00]	ICOM A2 or A3?
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09-02-2016, 08:31 PM	#11
335dlci Lieutenant Colonel 286 Rep 1,595 Posts Drives: 335d Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Socal iTrader: (0)	I have an icom a1
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09-04-2016, 12:37 AM	#12
335inDe Private First Class 38 Rep 144 Posts Drives: 07' 335i Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Delaware iTrader: (1)	Most of the stuff on ebay are clones (Chinese knockoffs) You really have to be careful as they just recase A1's in an A2 case and they also don't have heat sinks on the pcb boards so during the hot summer during a long write they are prone to failure. Just do a ton of research as clones are not created equal. I got mine on AliExpress for $230 free DHL and it's been flawless.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-06-2016, 10:36 PM	#13
Iaro Private First Class 114 Rep 138 Posts Drives: 2015 X5 xdrive50i M-Sport Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Lebanon PA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW x5 xdrive50i [0.00]	Thanks guys for great info, now it makes sense.
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