Carsoft Review

I bought a Carsoft interface through ebay and was not holding my breath after reading about other's problems with getting the software to work. However, I must say that I have been very impressed with how well everything has worked. My SES light had come on for a few days about 3 weeks ago. The light turned itself off and the car is running great. I went ahead and ran a "full diagnostic" with carsoft and it identified 4 errors eventhough the light was already off. I had two "system too rich" codes and and EGS and Airbag fuse code. I have no idea on the airbag because the airbag light is not on but who knows how long the code may have been in there. The EGS is supposed to be related to "electronic transmission control" but my car is a 5 speed so . Anyway....I cleared the codes and then ran the diagnostic again and everything was clear. I also programmed the doors to automatically lock when driving. I then reset the service interval and the oil service mileage. I finally reset all of the adaptations just for the heck of it! The software and the interface worked great. I used two different laptops with no problems and all of the code descriptions are in English. I was considering this or the peake tool and am glad I got this instead. It read all the BMW codes, not just OBDII and was able to read from module that the Peake tool can't access (airbag, etc.). It also cleared the adaptations and did some programming of functions that you can't do with the Peake. It's cheaper to boot! I paid $112.00 with shipping. Overall I am very satisfied with the purchase. The only disappointment was the lack of other programming options. I was hoping to be able to set the DRLs but that option was not included.

If anyone has any questions on the specifics, feel free to shoot me a PM.

Todd

Do you know if it's able to reset SRS lights?

Originally Posted by dakarm

Do you know if it's able to reset SRS lights?

Yes.

Originally Posted by dakarm

Do you know if it's able to reset SRS lights?

I can't confirm that this feature works because my 'SRS' light was not on. However, it does have the option in the menus to clear the fault codes for the SRS module so I can only assume it works. It did clear the airbag fuse code that was stored in the memory but my light was not on so I can't confirm that it works. Please understand that I believe that it will reset the light but you won't ever find me saying "yes, it works" if I have not confirmed it myself.

Todd

Can you read trans codes?

Originally Posted by smolck

Can you read trans codes?

As far as I know can. It scans all the modules in the car and runs diagnostics on each. My car is not an automatic so I can't verify that function.

Todd

Originally Posted by toddkageals

I bought a Carsoft interface through ebay and was not holding my breath after reading about other's problems with getting the software to work. However, I must say that I have been very impressed with how well everything has worked. My SES light had come on for a few days about 3 weeks ago. The light turned itself off and the car is running great. I went ahead and ran a "full diagnostic" with carsoft and it identified 4 errors eventhough the light was already off. I had two "system too rich" codes and and EGS and Airbag fuse code. I have no idea on the airbag because the airbag light is not on but who knows how long the code may have been in there. The EGS is supposed to be related to "electronic transmission control" but my car is a 5 speed so . Anyway....I cleared the codes and then ran the diagnostic again and everything was clear. I also programmed the doors to automatically lock when driving. I then reset the service interval and the oil service mileage. I finally reset all of the adaptations just for the heck of it! The software and the interface worked great. I used two different laptops with no problems and all of the code descriptions are in English. I was considering this or the peake tool and am glad I got this instead. It read all the BMW codes, not just OBDII and was able to read from module that the Peake tool can't access (airbag, etc.). It also cleared the adaptations and did some programming of functions that you can't do with the Peake. It's cheaper to boot! I paid $112.00 with shipping. Overall I am very satisfied with the purchase. The only disappointment was the lack of other programming options. I was hoping to be able to set the DRLs but that option was not included.

If anyone has any questions on the specifics, feel free to shoot me a PM.

Todd

I want to buy carsoft some time soon. I was wondering why you can't program DRL off or on?

if anyone wants it they can have mine for $70 shipped.

What version of Carsoft are we talking about?
6.5 is the most recent I've seen on ebay but the Carswoft site has version 7.3 as their current.
Are their new capabilities in 7.3 or just updates to include more current models?

Originally Posted by toddkageals

I bought a Carsoft interface through ebay and was not holding my breath after reading about other's problems with getting the software to work.

If anyone has any questions on the specifics, feel free to shoot me a PM.

Todd

Hi Todd! Was the Carsoft Interface you bought from Carsoft or another supplier? What config of Laptop are you using? Min requirements... Are the menus in english? I saw you said the codes were in english.

Do you know if it will reprogram things like Key memory options or headlight running options? (These have to be reprogrammed currently at a dealer or Indy) Thanks!

i have 6.5 working, as far as i know ver 7 is not out on the net for us yet, mine comes with cables, interface (everything).

thanks

Originally Posted by sonspot

i have 6.5 working, as far as i know ver 7 is not out on the net for us yet, mine comes with cables, interface (everything).

thanks

Check your pm.

Originally Posted by BlackBMWs

Hi Todd! Was the Carsoft Interface you bought from Carsoft or another supplier? What config of Laptop are you using? Min requirements... Are the menus in english? I saw you said the codes were in english.

Do you know if it will reprogram things like Key memory options or headlight running options? (These have to be reprogrammed currently at a dealer or Indy) Thanks!

The interface came from Ebay so I am quite sure it's not from Carsoft! I'm using an old Thinkpad. I don't even know all the specs but I think it's 850mhz with 256mb ram. Carsoft does NOT seem to need a fast computer to work. The menus are in English as well as the codes. The only programming I was able to do was for "selective locking" and "auto locking". The only other things that I could find that it has options for had to do with things like setting it to display metric measurements, etc. . I can't see that 6.5 has options to program other features like DRLs, etc.

Originally Posted by toddkageals

The interface came from Ebay so I am quite sure it's not from Carsoft! I'm using an old Thinkpad. I don't even know all the specs but I think it's 850mhz with 256mb ram. Carsoft does NOT seem to need a fast computer to work. The menus are in English as well as the codes. The only programming I was able to do was for "selective locking" and "auto locking". The only other things that I could find that it has options for had to do with things like setting it to display metric measurements, etc. . I can't see that 6.5 has options to program other features like DRLs, etc.

Todd, just to make sure that I am clear on it, is 6.5 what you have?

Yes, 6.5 is what I have.

Originally Posted by toddkageals

The only programming I was able to do was for "selective locking" and "auto locking".

Many people would like it if Carsoft 6.5 would set doors to unlock as noted in this thread ...

Originally Posted by bluebee

For $50, I just bought the Carsoft 6.5 off of Ebay and posted what it says it can unlock in this thread ...

If you get that to work with an E46, please let me know. I only had a few options when that car is selected. I'm guessing it can do different things on different cars.


Todd

Originally Posted by toddkageals

I'm guessing it can do different things on different cars.

.
This post shows what Carsoft 6.5 is advertised to do on the various BMWs.

I read that 6.5 is only compatible with vehicles manufactured thru 2004...

I have a 2005 E46, with a manufacture date of 12/2004.

Anybody know if 6.5 would be compatible with my car ?

And can you buy the cables separately anywhere ?

For the record, according to this thread, apparently Carsoft 6.5 can reset the SRS airbag light.

Originally Posted by Spencercat

I've used carsoft 6.5 to read and clear codes from my SRS. Are you connecting to the plug in the engine compartment or under the drivers dash?