What code reader to buy?

[Cardiff Steve]

Having put it off for while, I am going to buy a code reader.

There are loads of cheap options options on EBay and Amazon but I would rather pay for a good one rather than regret buying a cheap one.

Anyone know which one to buy? Any recommendations?

 

[t-tony]

My humble opinion would say buy one with free, regular, upgrades, in my case I bought a Foxwell NT530.

Tony.

 

[Brian James]

I can't profess to be an expert at all in this topic, but after a similar question I posed on this forum, I bought a Creator310+ from ebay at ca £50.
However, I think it depends on what car you have, especially the year and also how long to you intend to keep it but also what you intend to do with the car in terms of repairs etc.
There are many experts on this forum (thank goodness!) of which I know of Tony (previous thread) and Colb.
@t-tony @colb

Whatever you decide please feedback your decision as it will be of help to others.

 

[BuxtonZ3Guy]

I can't profess to be an expert at all in this topic, but after a similar question I posed on this forum, I bought a Creator310+ from ebay at ca £50.
However, I think it depends on what car you have, especially the year and also how long to you intend to keep it but also what you intend to do with the car in terms of repairs etc.
There are many experts on this forum (thank goodness!) of which I know of Tony (previous thread) and Colb.
@t-tony @colb

Whatever you decide please feedback your decision as it will be of help to others.

I would agree with this post. This tool allowed me to find the cause of my airbag light. However, if you go for this one then be sure to get the 20 pin adaptor. This will allow you to plug in under the bonnet and read far more fault codes. The OBD port inside the car will just give you engine data. The port under the bonnet will give you the engine data AND electrical system data.

 

[Duncodin]

I've had the Creator310 for a while.

ABS light came on a couple of days ago. C310 said the fault was rear right speed sensor. Switched the C310 to the live stream display and drove up the driveway and it shows the actual speed at each wheel in real time - showing that all the sensors are working suggesting fault wasn't actually at the sensor. Decided it was probably the cable plug into the ABS pump. Pushed/pulled the connector on/off a few times. Bit of WD40. Went for a drive. Fault gone.

I'm currently working on the central locking. It's cool how you open/close a door and the C310 shows the open/closed state of each door and the locked/unlocked state as you lock and unlock with the key. (telling me all those wires are OK). Still needed me multi-meter to check the supply to the actuator but I'm not stripping out cables looking for a break that isn't there.

 

[Cardiff Steve]

Thanks guys, I will do some research over the weekend but at the moment it’s a shoot out between the Creator 310 and the Foxwell NT530.

I will report back.

 

[bombur]

For me, it was down to budget and I went for a second hand Creator 310+ on ebay for about £30...has been great tbf

 

[AntStark]

^^^ What he said.... did the same. Paid for itself already

 

[NZ00Z3]

Looks like you have a 1.9L Z3. Read this thread: https://zroadster.org/threads/how-to-scan-early-model-z3s-pre-build-date-03-98.39937/

It all depends on what you want to do with the scanner.

• Fix engine related problems. An OBD2 scanner is best as the fuel trim information is easy to understand
• Talk to any modules other than the DME and EGS and you need a scanner with BMW software.

I several scanners:

• OBD Fusion smart phone app. Great for engine work. Does data logging really well. Use this app to diagnose engine problems worldwide over the internet.
• Foxwell NT530 with BMW software. Reads all the Z3 modules I need to read. Also has an OBD2 scanner for engine work. It does data log, but it's a bit clunky.
• INPA with the BMW standard Tools. Detailed work. Use the Tools to code/calibrate modules etc
• TestO. A high speed data logger that runs on the INPA platform. Specialist data logging jobs.

My suggestion for you is the Foxwell NT530 with BMW software as it is 2 scanners in 1, BMW and OBD2.

 

[ZEDonist UK]

This is one I’m interested to hear about to.

I currently “borrow” an Autel which seems ok. I haven’t gone to in depth with it though.

The Foxwell NT530 looks to be brand specific unless you go for their professional range - a jump from £170 to £300.

One thing I like about the Autel is the ability to download additional manufacturers software for about £10-£15 per module.
Great if you are a multi-brand household / work place.
I don’t know how long I’ll be able to borrow the Autel for so may need to buy something soon as well.

 

[t-tony]

You can buy additional software for other makes on the NT 530 too, with regular free updates. My previous scanner was an Autel.

Tony.

 

[ZEDonist UK]

You can buy additional software for other makes on the NT 530 too, with regular free updates. My previous scanner was an Autel.

Tony.

found it….
They don’t make it obvious that adding manufacturers is possible.

Foxwell NT530 / NT530 Plus Additional Car Manufacturer Software Upgrade

Foxwell NT530 / NT530 Plus Additional Car Manufacturer Software Upgrade - only £80.00 including VAT & UK delivery!

m.gendan.co.uk

 

[colb]

I have laptop software BMW INPA package from BCables on ebay which includes NCS Expert and Winkpf for coding it comes with the cable and interface, for use on a Z3 you need the 20pin to 16pin OBD2 cable to connect it to the car on the 20pin under bonnet socket to read all modules, if you have a 16 pin OBD socket under the steering wheel that will only read the engine module. The round socket will access all modules on the car. I also have a Creator 310+ again an ebay purchase for circa £50, invested in that when my laptop software failed to solve an airbag light I had, the Creator found the fault first go and cleared it ok. It can be updated online and comes with an App to do so when new releases are made. I did find that it couldn't clear transport mode even though it appears in the menu, that function may become live in a future update.
A cheap option is one of the diagnostic Apps you can download on your phone like Dash Command or Torque, this is used with an ELM327 interface again used with the 20pin to 16pin cable. The ELM is available in Bluetooth or WiFi again on ebay.

Pardon our interruption...

INPA package for Laptop here

BMW Diagnostic Software Cable Ediabas INPA Dis SSS OBD Lead With 20pin Adapter for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for BMW Diagnostic Software Cable Ediabas INPA Dis SSS OBD Lead With 20pin Adapter at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!

www.ebay.co.uk

Always be aware any of these diagnostics are only an aid to fault finding, just because a fault code is triggered its not always that componant thats caused the fault it could be a fault upstream or downstream of the sensor that triggered the fault, some lateral thinking is always a good thing to do to get to the root of the problem presenting itself. All of the above can view live data which can be very useful to determin the cause of fault codes.

 

[Peter12345]

I bought one of these on Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07RTJYLQ8?ref_=pe_27063361_487360311_302_E_DDE_dt_1

Also needed a 20-pin to 16-pin adaptor for the Z3. Also used it on a 2006 120D, and it seems to talk to all ECU in either car.

 

[NZ00Z3]

it seems to talk to all ECU in either car.

What model (year and engine size) of Z3 do you have?

 

[Peter12345]

1998. 1.9 petrol.

 

[NZ00Z3]

1998. 1.9 petrol.

Thank you. I'm trying to figure out if it has been confirmed that your scanner can read all modules in the older Z3's what use OBD1/ADS. 1998 was the year that BMW made the change. I have a thread on this forum about scanning older model Z3's and like to keep it updated with what Scanners can talk to the older Z3's.

How To Guide - How to Scan Early Model Z3's (pre-build date 03/98)

Many people who own a pre 03/98 build date non M Z3's find it hard to scan any modules other than the engine computer (DME). This is because before 03/98, the Z3 has a mix of OBD1/ADS and OBD2 modules. 03/98 and later, the non M Z3's have all OBD2 modules. Seem that the USA S52 Z3M's had ADS...

zroadster.org

What is the build date of your Z3? It's on a sticker on the front suspension tower (mm/yy).

Have you scanned any older Z3's with your scanner?

 

[Peter12345]

Not scanned any others. Build is Feb 1998.

scanner actually asks if before or after March 1998 when selecting model !!

will add screenshots tomorrow.

 

[NZ00Z3]

scanner actually asks if before or after March 1998 when selecting model !!

Excellent, that mean you select "Before" and you have confirmed that it reads OBD1/ADS. Thank you. I'll update my thread.

My Foxwell NT530 also asks the same question about build date, but only for the E36. For the Z3 (E36/7), it only talks to the post 03/98 cars.

 

[Peter1450]

Just to update my experience, Got a Creator 310 + off prime next day for less than £50 , reads the chassis from the under bonnet plug, straight away indicating that the front right whee sensor is the source of my problem.
I have INPA on an old laptop but this is much easier to me than try to decipher the German text.