Where can I find vagcom/vcds?
Discussion
Hello, can someone please suggest where I can get hold of some decent vcds for Audi A6? I was suggested an eBay link yesterday but when I tried to buy it this morning it had run out or it's been removed. Now I can only find the cheap crappy ones or very expensive (worth £300+) online. Can anyone suggest where to get hold of a good useful one? Thanks.
tigger1 said:
I think the thing that always gets said about these is that they're very useful to have and they hold their value - used ones cost almost the same as new. If you trust that, you could buy one and flog it on [2nd hand sales website of choice] for not much of a loss.
Well the link given to me yesterday showed a cost of £47.50 and seemed to be new so I think I'd like to find another one like that. I'm not too sure if I should trust a second hand one. justinio said:
There are only 2 types of VCDS
Genuine (Ross tech) - Expensive
Fake (eBay/Alibab etc) - Cheap
There is no 'middle ground'. The ones selling for £47.50 are just as fake as the ones selling for a tenner (unless you manage to get lucky and get a good deal on a used Ross Tech one)
So is the fake ones (non kkl) no better than an em327 reader? I have an issue and I just want to be able to diagnose that. I think I will need something that can read transmission codes and measuring blocks. So if something worth £47.50 can do that I'll buy that if someone can suggest one to me. Genuine (Ross tech) - Expensive
Fake (eBay/Alibab etc) - Cheap
There is no 'middle ground'. The ones selling for £47.50 are just as fake as the ones selling for a tenner (unless you manage to get lucky and get a good deal on a used Ross Tech one)
Here is my problem: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=16...
captainaverage said:
Where can I find vagcom/vcds?
I bought mine from Gendan, they are an official retailer; https://www.gendan.co.uk/index.phpI don't think it's worth trying an ebay jobbie as it may not work properly anyway plus you'll get no support from the manufacturer, Rosstech; http://www.ross-tech.com/ and as many of the operations you can perform can be quite complex, help is likely to be necessary at some point. Plus by buying genuine you're helping to fund the research that makes the product rather than a rip-off merchant.
t. £225 and it only works on 3 VIN numbers lol. £575 if you want an unlimited one.catso said:
I bought mine from Gendan, they are an official retailer; https://www.gendan.co.uk/index.php
I don't think it's worth trying an ebay jobbie as it may not work properly anyway plus you'll get no support from the manufacturer, Rosstech; http://www.ross-tech.com/ and as many of the operations you can perform can be quite complex, help is likely to be necessary at some point. Plus by buying genuine you're helping to fund the research that makes the product rather than a rip-off merchant.
How likely is a cheapy one to reprogram your ECU or screw things up for you? Im not computer illiterate but what are the chances of mucking up just by plugging it in.I don't think it's worth trying an ebay jobbie as it may not work properly anyway plus you'll get no support from the manufacturer, Rosstech; http://www.ross-tech.com/ and as many of the operations you can perform can be quite complex, help is likely to be necessary at some point. Plus by buying genuine you're helping to fund the research that makes the product rather than a rip-off merchant.
I would buy the one worth £XXX but don't see a point if the gearbox is buggered and the car will end up being worthless after which there will be no more VAGs to diagnose for me...
captainaverage said:
How likely is a cheapy one to reprogram your ECU or screw things up for you? Im not computer illiterate but what are the chances of mucking up just by plugging it in.
Honestly don't know.If you just want to do a scan/test, you're welcome to come over and plug in with mine. I'm east midlands so (probably) not too many miles away.
I don't claim to be an expert with it though, I've used it for a few things but always needed some 'guidance' for anything other than a scan so you might need to find out what you want to achieve first.
captainaverage said:
How likely is a cheapy one to reprogram your ECU or screw things up for you? Im not computer illiterate but what are the chances of mucking up just by plugging it in.
I would buy the one worth £XXX but don't see a point if the gearbox is buggered and the car will end up being worthless after which there will be no more VAGs to diagnose for me...
You'd be surprised but I have heard of it happening. One guy lost the coding for a few modules on his car and had to have them re-coded by a dealer. I would buy the one worth £XXX but don't see a point if the gearbox is buggered and the car will end up being worthless after which there will be no more VAGs to diagnose for me...
The new cables are a bit rubbish as they're VIN limited, the older ones are great but do not work on some newer cars and fail to read the full car as the new bits are not supported. Personally, I wouldn't touch a fake cable.
I've got a genuine VCDS cable in Surrey. I'd be happy to let you use it. If not, check out VCDS Users UK and find someone local. I was on there and used to ask £20 for my time but in the end came off as I got too many people expecting me to do the research about what was possible on their car for them.
I had a hooky version running VCDS v908 and it worked OK for my 200x era cars at the time - you had to remember not to have your laptop connected to the internet with the cable plugged in, or you risked it downloading an update and bricking chips in the cable.
I now have a genuine cable (pre-VIN restriction) and the support for the genuine product is very good. Most VW/Audi forums will run a list of local members with VCDS, or one of the FB groups.
I'm Surrey/Sussex based too so a bit far from you.....
I now have a genuine cable (pre-VIN restriction) and the support for the genuine product is very good. Most VW/Audi forums will run a list of local members with VCDS, or one of the FB groups.
I'm Surrey/Sussex based too so a bit far from you.....
captainaverage said:
Hello, can someone please suggest where I can get hold of some decent vcds for Audi A6? I was suggested an eBay link yesterday but when I tried to buy it this morning it had run out or it's been removed. Now I can only find the cheap crappy ones or very expensive (worth £300+) online. Can anyone suggest where to get hold of a good useful one? Thanks.
If you need a scan in a hurry- have a look on Briscoda.net. There's a network of blokes wit it willing to help out .Might cost a drink, and you might find out where to get the kit. Find someone local with a genuine copy, get an full scan and post it up here.
I've seen a fair few bricked modules from non genuine cables or it dropping out mid write with new coding. Airbags modules on the MK4 platform would get bricked if you included them in an autoscan with a non genuine cable too iirc.
List of users here too - http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,...
I've seen a fair few bricked modules from non genuine cables or it dropping out mid write with new coding. Airbags modules on the MK4 platform would get bricked if you included them in an autoscan with a non genuine cable too iirc.
List of users here too - http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,...
captainaverage said:
Basil Brush said:
Have you looked at OBDeleven?
Yes I did come across that but I wasn't sure if it would do what I wanted it to do I.e check brake pedal switch and transmission codes for an Audi A6?I think the "Pro" version even allows programming.
I bought it and it certainly diagnosed a rear parking sensor issue correctly.
Have you looked at Bluetooth devices? I have carista and OBDEleven. The latter allows you to do a lot of what VCDS does and even has a really cool UI. Device was £45 and then the app for your phone. They will scan and clear faults, plus program extra features
Both work brilliantly on my S4.
Both work brilliantly on my S4.
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