BMW Diagnostics/Code Reader,

Looking into possibly getting one for my own use as I currently have 4 BMWs (2x E36, E46 and E39)

Would be useful to have, All I want is something to just connect with the car, Read the codes and tell me what's wrong.

Would something like this be worth buying? Or is there other cheaper options?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Peake-Research-R5-FCX-3-U-1987-2005-BMW-Service-Reset-Fault-Scan-Tool-/261259319904?pt=UK_Diagnostic_Tools_Equipment&hash=item3cd444da60


I assume it works, By giving a numerical code that I then have to look up in the code chart?

Total novice with these, So any advice welcome!

Peake code readers are supposed to be pretty good for what you need it for and at that price it would be hard to go wrong.

It will give you a "P" code which you can cross reference here;http://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/

You could do so much more with a software package from bmcables it gives a lot more detail and you can activate a few nice features plus its less then half the price of the one you linked

Can a moderator move this thread to the Tuning & Diagnostics section.

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Originally Posted by Gar

You could do so much more with a software package from bmcables it gives a lot more detail and you can activate a few nice features plus its less then half the price of the one you linked

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Is this the one Gar?

http://www.bmcables.com/index.html

Whats it like? Does it actually work?

I've tried a couple in the past and can never get them to work.

Just had a look at bmcables.com, Looks interesting and only £46.99 delivered.

How easy are they to set-up and use though?

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Originally Posted by DoktorB

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gar

You could do so much more with a software package from bmcables it gives a lot more detail and you can activate a few nice features plus its less then half the price of the one you linked

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Is this the one Gar?

http://www.bmcables.com/index.html

Whats it like? Does it actually work?

I've tried a couple in the past and can never get them to work.

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Yep that's it john I haven't bought from them but a few of the lads have and it really is just plug and play I installed mine the old fashioned way around 3 years ago or so and it really is a ball buster il be buying from them in the future , it couldn't be any simpler then how they have set it up now and id be 100% it works

Its everything rolled into one package you wont need anymore then it offers afaik it covers coding ,feature activation and full detailed diagnostics

Does it work with windows 7?

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Originally Posted by michael320

Does it work with windows 7?

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I believe it does im pretty sure I seen colm d has it running with windows 7

Cool must look into that.