anybody used/recommend bmcables or cable-shack OBD readers?
Discussion
As title states.
need some diagnostics running on my e46, and not too pleased by people wanting to charge £70+ for plugging it in and telling me whats wrong, I've decided to go it alone and pick up a reader that will read BMW codes (have access to another obd reader but not displaying codes, so need the BMW specific one), what the difference between the £35 they used to charge me on my ford and now is I dont know, except that everything BMW seems to cost twice as much!
Have looked into it and the 2 listed in the title are pretty much the cheaper options, most common recomendation on other forums.
having read quite a vew negatives for bm cables, ranging from not working at all to being a royal pain to get it running right and litte/no support from the distributor, I have my reservations about using them
cable shack doesnt have much info around to give me an honest insight on how good/bad they are.
for those reasons above is why im asking advice from anyone here who's used either or both.
cheers
need some diagnostics running on my e46, and not too pleased by people wanting to charge £70+ for plugging it in and telling me whats wrong, I've decided to go it alone and pick up a reader that will read BMW codes (have access to another obd reader but not displaying codes, so need the BMW specific one), what the difference between the £35 they used to charge me on my ford and now is I dont know, except that everything BMW seems to cost twice as much!
Have looked into it and the 2 listed in the title are pretty much the cheaper options, most common recomendation on other forums.
having read quite a vew negatives for bm cables, ranging from not working at all to being a royal pain to get it running right and litte/no support from the distributor, I have my reservations about using them
cable shack doesnt have much info around to give me an honest insight on how good/bad they are.
for those reasons above is why im asking advice from anyone here who's used either or both.
cheers
helix402 said:
Inpa works with bmcables but dis does not. Inpa is available free to download online.
I thought it was just me. I have tried everything suggested, turning off firewall, removing virus protection, the lot, still won't communicate.I can get by with INPA, but DIS seems to have some really useful features. Have you found a cable that will work with DIS?. Or is it the DIS software that BM-Cables provides that is the issue?.
smiles1 said:
I've got the BMCables version and it has been great, easy to install and use.
You're welcome to pop over and I'll plug it into your E46 for free if you want to try it out or just get the fault codes read?
Thanks for the offer mate, sadly a bit too far away from me to take you up on it!You're welcome to pop over and I'll plug it into your E46 for free if you want to try it out or just get the fault codes read?
Leaning more towards the cable shack one at the moment based on more positive reviews about all systems working.
Will update when I get it.
thanks for the feedback so far tho guys
I have a bmwcables lead,
got INPA working easily enough which is fine for 99% of diagnostics, airbag light resets, ABS diags, very detailed engine info etc.
never managed to get SSS or DIS to communicate with the versions I got from them - I think they updated the software they send out some time last year though so might be better now.
Just remembered, with the D shaped OBDII lead I could only communicate with the engine ECU on my pre-facelift E46, I needed an OBDII to round 20 pin adapter to communicate with the rest of it via the plug under the bonnet by the brake servo. Only a few quid off ebay but frustrating if you don't know.
got INPA working easily enough which is fine for 99% of diagnostics, airbag light resets, ABS diags, very detailed engine info etc.
never managed to get SSS or DIS to communicate with the versions I got from them - I think they updated the software they send out some time last year though so might be better now.
Just remembered, with the D shaped OBDII lead I could only communicate with the engine ECU on my pre-facelift E46, I needed an OBDII to round 20 pin adapter to communicate with the rest of it via the plug under the bonnet by the brake servo. Only a few quid off ebay but frustrating if you don't know.
I have also used Jimmy at Cableshack.
Yes I could have saved a few quid by getting the cable elsewhere etc. but Jimmy has been very helpful and always goes the extra mile I'd say.
If you have an E46 make sure you ask for the "Flash" cable. Mine has paid for itself.
I recently updated the SMG software my M3 to the CSL spec. People on the forum charge £100 for this. Let's just say the cost for me was alot less. I've also diagnosed the car a few times as well as a friend's pre-OBD E46.
Yes I could have saved a few quid by getting the cable elsewhere etc. but Jimmy has been very helpful and always goes the extra mile I'd say.
If you have an E46 make sure you ask for the "Flash" cable. Mine has paid for itself.
I recently updated the SMG software my M3 to the CSL spec. People on the forum charge £100 for this. Let's just say the cost for me was alot less. I've also diagnosed the car a few times as well as a friend's pre-OBD E46.
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