What Replacement Code Reader to Buy???

Being the dumba$$ I am, I lost my Peake code reader . I usually leave it in my passenger side pocket but used it one AM at work and then threw it on my passenger seat. Not it's gone! I hope whoever finds it drives an e46/e39! So I need a replacement. My Peake was OK but it was BMW specific and replacing it is not cheap ($150). I would like to get something that is applicable to my other wheels (Honda & Ford). Should I stay with Peake or get a standard ODB II code reader? There seems to be a wide range of ODB II code readers (& priced accordingly). I am looking for basic code scanning and clearing functions. Are there any other functions I should have? Any recommended brands or models? Any help is appreciated.

Fudman,

I have 2 separate items:
- Actron Code reader. The difference between cheap ($45) and expensive ($120) model is the expensive model spells out for you the diagnosis. The cheap model just lists the number.
Example:
* Cheap ($45) model: P0103. Then you open the booklet to find out what it means.
* Expensive ($120) model: P0103 - Mass Air Flow (MAF) Circuit

- Car Soft bought from ebay ($50).

PS: Another thread on the same topic is here:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=429587

I do not have a direct answer for you. I have been doing some research on OBD2 options. Based on what I found, I determined that the following three things would work for me. Maybe my approach would work for you or others as well.

1) A bluetooth dongle since my laptop does not have integrated bluetooth.)
2) An OBD2 interface that connects to other devices via bluetooth.
3) Sofware.

I found a number of bluetooth dongles on ebay for about $5.00 shipped. I bought one and it shipped the same day.

I found an OBD2-to-bluetooth interface for about $45 with shipping. This adapter comes with a bunch of free software.

I am also considering the ScanXL software. This commercial software costs around $80. It has great display graphics. It has data logging as well as drag strip functionality that gives you readouts like reaction time , 0-60 time, and 1/4 mile time. It even has a dyno. I would not quote the HP/torque numbers from the dyno, but the relative differences from similar pulls could tell you if your last mod was worth it or not.

You can get a basic scan tool and skip the extra features--for maybe $25?. But, if you already have a laptop, you can get cool graphics and data logging using free software and a $30 OBD2-to-USB interface. So, if you have a laptop, the price is a wash. The laptop a lot less portable than a hand held scan tool but the laptop wins in the coolness category.

Originally Posted by anomal

I do not have a direct answer for you. I have been doing some research on OBD2 options. Based on what I found, I determined that the following three things would work for me. Maybe my approach would work for you or others as well.

1) A bluetooth dongle since my laptop does not have integrated bluetooth.)
2) An OBD2 interface that connects to other devices via bluetooth.
3) Sofware.

I found a number of bluetooth dongles on ebay for about $5.00 shipped. I bought one and it shipped the same day.

I found an OBD2-to-bluetooth interface for about $45 with shipping. This adapter comes with a bunch of free software.

I am also considering the ScanXL software. This commercial software costs around $80. It has great display graphics. It has data logging as well as drag strip functionality that gives you readouts like reaction time , 0-60 time, and 1/4 mile time. It even has a dyno. I would not quote the HP/torque numbers from the dyno, but the relative differences from similar pulls could tell you if your last mod was worth it or not.

You can get a basic scan tool and skip the extra features--for maybe $25?. But, if you already have a laptop, you can get cool graphics and data logging using free software and a $30 OBD2-to-USB interface. So, if you have a laptop, the price is a wash. The laptop a lot less portable than a hand held scan tool but the laptop wins in the coolness category.

Carsoft is what I have.. is real cool....but you need an old laptop.. to use it... If you just want to read codes, go whith the 45.00 flavor.

I found this link very helpful..... : http://www.youfixcars.com/laptop-aut...e-scanner.html

Originally Posted by Rustyzipper

Carsoft is what I have.. is real cool....but you need an old laptop.. to use it... If you just want to read codes, go whith the 45.00 flavor.

Hey Rustyzipper,

Do you run Carsoft on XP Operating System?
I have Vista Home Basic and posted my question on the Carsoft thread.

Originally Posted by cn90

Hey Rustyzipper,

Do you run Carsoft on XP Operating System?
I have Vista Home Basic and posted my question on the Carsoft thread.

Yes, on XP ONLY... Carsoft 6.5 will not run on Vista... maybe the newer ver will....

Thanx for the feedback, guys! I think I'll go with the cheapo one to start and think about the software version for later. Gotta save some $$ for my thrust arms and sway bar links (thank godnes i bought the struts already)!

Originally Posted by Fudman

Thanx for the feedback, guys! I think I'll go with the cheapo one to start and think about the software version for later. Gotta save some $$ for my thrust arms and sway bar links (thank godnes i bought the struts already)!

Fudman, I just purchased the Barvarian Technic software / cable ($287) that should read everything on our e39's, I'm not that far north if you need anything deeper then a Peake (which wont touch tranny codes), I should have it next week, I'll let you know if it is what is claims to be or not. I just did thrust arms... OUCH.

The best you can do, on the cheap anyway, is listed in this freeware OBDII code scanner thread ...

Personally, I've been borrowing a friend's Actron CP9125 OBD II PocketScan (for my P1349 misfire and for my P0500 ABS debugging); but cn90 notes that his Actron CP9035 missed codes, so, caveat emptor.

Originally Posted by Hooray!

Fudman, I just purchased the Barvarian Technic software / cable ($287) that should read everything on our e39's, I'm not that far north if you need anything deeper then a Peake (which wont touch tranny codes), I should have it next week, I'll let you know if it is what is claims to be or not. I just did thrust arms... OUCH.

Thanx, Seth! At this point, I'm just looking for something that will do what my Peake did but also for my other cars. However, I once had the dreaded TRANS PROG FAILSAFE CODE on my previous e39 and that is one where this BT could work to reset the tranny. If it ever happens again, I know who to call. BTW, just finished the Vanos seal replacement on my brother's '00 e46 yesterday. The improvement was dramatic but he has 164K on the clock. We can do yours this spring.

I have seen the Actron 9175 on sale at Amazon for $78. A pretty good deal. I guess this model has been replaced but as long as it works, who cares.

Originally Posted by Fudman

Thanx, Seth! At this point, I'm just looking for something that will do what my Peake did but also for my other cars. However, I once had the dreaded TRANS PROG FAILSAFE CODE on my previous e39 and that is one where this BT could work to reset the tranny. If it ever happens again, I know who to call. BTW, just finished the Vanos seal replacement on my brother's '00 e46 yesterday. The improvement was dramatic but he has 164K on the clock. We can do yours this spring.

I have seen the Actron 9175 on sale at Amazon for $78. A pretty good deal. I guess this model has been replaced but as long as it works, who cares.

Sounds good, it will be interesting to see what VANOS seals do on mine, I suspect it will improve not matter what. Spring is less then a week away (per my daughter's count down calendar!). Maybe later in April / May we can get together for a VANOS BBQ e39 gathering i MA. Next for me is to clear the tranny codes, confirm the solenoids are engaging correctly and change the ATF. Now I'm not sure if the BT reads the OBDII codes or not, I guess I took that for granted as they are a published across the mfg code set.

As a cross reference, the least expensive CAN OBDII scanning tool on the net (that also reads pending codes & clears codes) seems to be this $30 Chinese-built Autel MaxiScan MS300 scanner.