Newbie- How do I begin using diagnostics

Kodak · 02-19-2013, 05:11 PM

Hopefully, I can get an assist here, I'm looking to get into the whole diagnostics area and would like to know what do I need to buy/download to begin this adventure ? I have a 2006 325xi,completely stock ,not looking into coding just yet, only the diagnostics part for now.
Thanks in advance.

ctuna · 02-19-2013, 07:28 PM

You only need a k-can cable with an 06 which is cheaper.
I got one off ebay along with a software package that included
the three base programs inpa, ebidas and ncs expert with the addition
of DIS57 SSS and TIS. The whole thing cost 50 bucks shipped.
You need to know your way around PC's to install this and you need
a computer with a 32 bit operating system to make ncsexpert to work
an or a xp emulator program. The base programs were not that uptodate
and I had to update them . Its getting hard to download this stuff or maybe it always was. You should read the big sticky at the top of the page to see
if this is something you can deal with.
I was able to get DIS57 to work but not SSS which is probably just as well.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=451145

Kodak · 02-19-2013, 10:14 PM

Thanks for the quick reply, I currently use a Vista Ultimate 32 bit , would this work ?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctuna

You only need a k-can cable with an 06 which is cheaper.
I got one off ebay along with a software package that included
the three base programs inpa, ebidas and ncs expert with the addition
of DIS57 SSS and TIS. The whole thing cost 50 bucks shipped.
You need to know your way around PC's to install this and you need
a computer with a 32 bit operating system to make ncsexpert work
an or a xp emulator program. The base programs were not that uptodate
and I had to update them . Its getting hard to download this stuff or maybe it always was. You should read the big sticky at the top of the page to see
if this is something you can deal with.
I was able to get DIS57 to work but not SSS which is probably just as well.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=451145

Kodak · 02-19-2013, 10:33 PM

I found this link on Ebay, is this good enough ?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-USB-OBD-...5174b9&vxp=mtr

ctuna · 02-20-2013, 01:09 AM

Yep

There is also more info at bmwcoders.com

GenePoole · 02-20-2013, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kodak

I found this link on Ebay, is this good enough ?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-USB-OBD-...5174b9&vxp=mtr

You shouldn't skimp on your cable. The de facto standard around here has become the one-stop electronics cable:

http://www.one-stop-electronics.com/...&product_id=16

You'll pay a bit more, but people here have had 100% success with this cable.

That said, $29 is probably worth it to get the software pre-installed. They claim to have INPA, SSSProgman, DISV57 and Carsoft already installed and configured. If that's true, that alone is worth $29.

Kodak · 02-20-2013, 10:27 AM

I found this one on Ebay and it has all the programs and the Seller has a 99.5% positive customer feedback, it even states this "NOTE: This cable has built in surge protection which other similar cables do not have."
So is it safe to say that this is good to get ?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-Diagnost...item2ec62a14b0

Quote:

Originally Posted by GenePoole

You shouldn't skimp on your cable. The de facto standard around here has become the one-stop electronics cable:

http://www.one-stop-electronics.com/...&product_id=16

You'll pay a bit more, but people here have had 100% success with this cable.

That said, $29 is probably worth it to get the software pre-installed. They claim to have INPA, SSSProgman, DISV57 and Carsoft already installed and configured. If that's true, that alone is worth $29.

ctuna · 02-20-2013, 02:04 PM

I would ask if its a K can plus d can cable
I didn't see any indication of that as I recall I got
mine from the UK . The other offer gave you more software
I think . Also ask about the installation the other guys
specified the rev level of the basic programs I think that's
more of an issue.

Sensible_ · 02-20-2013, 03:45 PM

For in depth diagnostics, full module updates and some occasional coding I'd use ISID and ISSS with an ICOM emulator (70USD) and K+DCAN cable.

I have INPA, NCSEXPERT, DIS AND TIS and recently I've had no use for it. The new generation software is faster, more user friendly and simply better. In my humble opinion.

ctuna · 02-20-2013, 05:49 PM

Sensible
Where do you get it?

What are these two packages of which you speak.

ista is the new thing bmw is using I don't think it allows you to code.
The torrent and other files are a hassle to download.

Sensible_ · 02-21-2013, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctuna

Sensible
Where do you get it?

What are these two packages of which you speak.

ista is the new thing bmw is using I don't think it allows you to code.
The torrent and other files are a hassle to download.

You seem a little negative about it so I'm not going to go into depth. You can code VO with it, aswell as program. ISTA/D is ISID (diagnostic) and ISTA/P is ISSS (coding/programming).

You have to set it up using a VM. But after that its great.

ctuna · 02-21-2013, 09:34 AM

I wouldn't be if you could get it cheaply
or if you could get it at all.
It wasn't that easy just getting the common stuff
setting it up and getting it to work.
And now I have it working to the extent I need it.
Basicly I had to learn to use VMware and its
kind of klugey program.
I'm guessing you have better access to it in Europe
as its home to BMW.

02-19-2013, 05:11 PM	#1
Kodak The Law 64 Rep 391 Posts Drives: 06 325xi, 4dr, Alpine Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bronx, NYC iTrader: (0)	Newbie- How do I begin using diagnostics Hopefully, I can get an assist here, I'm looking to get into the whole diagnostics area and would like to know what do I need to buy/download to begin this adventure ? I have a 2006 325xi,completely stock ,not looking into coding just yet, only the diagnostics part for now. Thanks in advance. __________________ 2006 Alpine ,325xi sedan,Terra, steptronic,Xenon,heated seats,Premium package
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

02-19-2013, 07:28 PM	#2
ctuna Lieutenant General 1911 Rep 13,103 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	ebay You only need a k-can cable with an 06 which is cheaper. I got one off ebay along with a software package that included the three base programs inpa, ebidas and ncs expert with the addition of DIS57 SSS and TIS. The whole thing cost 50 bucks shipped. You need to know your way around PC's to install this and you need a computer with a 32 bit operating system to make ncsexpert to work an or a xp emulator program. The base programs were not that uptodate and I had to update them . Its getting hard to download this stuff or maybe it always was. You should read the big sticky at the top of the page to see if this is something you can deal with. I was able to get DIS57 to work but not SSS which is probably just as well. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=451145 Last edited by ctuna; 02-20-2013 at 10:28 AM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-19-2013, 10:33 PM	#4
Kodak The Law 64 Rep 391 Posts Drives: 06 325xi, 4dr, Alpine Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bronx, NYC iTrader: (0)	I found this link on Ebay, is this good enough ? http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-USB-OBD-...5174b9&vxp=mtr __________________ 2006 Alpine ,325xi sedan,Terra, steptronic,Xenon,heated seats,Premium package
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-20-2013, 01:09 AM	#5
ctuna Lieutenant General 1911 Rep 13,103 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	Yep Yep There is also more info at bmwcoders.com
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-20-2013, 02:04 PM	#8
ctuna Lieutenant General 1911 Rep 13,103 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	I would ask if its a K can plus d can cable I would ask if its a K can plus d can cable I didn't see any indication of that as I recall I got mine from the UK . The other offer gave you more software I think . Also ask about the installation the other guys specified the rev level of the basic programs I think that's more of an issue.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-20-2013, 03:45 PM	#9
Sensible_ Colonel 529 Rep 2,504 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: London iTrader: (1)	For in depth diagnostics, full module updates and some occasional coding I'd use ISID and ISSS with an ICOM emulator (70USD) and K+DCAN cable. I have INPA, NCSEXPERT, DIS AND TIS and recently I've had no use for it. The new generation software is faster, more user friendly and simply better. In my humble opinion.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-20-2013, 05:49 PM	#10
ctuna Lieutenant General 1911 Rep 13,103 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	Where do you get it? Sensible Where do you get it? What are these two packages of which you speak. ista is the new thing bmw is using I don't think it allows you to code. The torrent and other files are a hassle to download.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-21-2013, 09:34 AM	#12
ctuna Lieutenant General 1911 Rep 13,103 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	I wouldn't be if you could get it cheaply I wouldn't be if you could get it cheaply or if you could get it at all. It wasn't that easy just getting the common stuff setting it up and getting it to work. And now I have it working to the extent I need it. Basicly I had to learn to use VMware and its kind of klugey program. I'm guessing you have better access to it in Europe as its home to BMW.
	Appreciate 0 Quote