[X3power]

What are your thoughts on getting Carly vs. Autobrain?

I am new to the BMW family, and would like to plug into my X3 to get some data off of it and do some minor customization of the iDrive display system. It seems to me that most folks here use Carly, while my friend, who has X3 also, recently got Autobrain. Glad to hear what you think the Pro/Cons of each are.

[Josh (PA)]

I've had great success on my e series cars with Carly. There are in-app purchases to unlock all the features (like I-drive customization) but it has done everything I needed it to do very well. I know they lag behind full customization on the F-series cars, so confirm what the app can do with your gen X3 before you buy.

[MJBO]

I used Bimmercode for my F20 1-series and it worked a treat. Excellent range of easy-to-code options, plus you could dive into the full list of advanced options (in German!) if you wanted.

Coded the digital speedo, removed the iDrive nag screen and disabled the drivers seatbelt warning (why you bing every time I turn the car on!!) to name a few. Tweaked a few other minor things, was a while back though.

Quite a bit cheaper than Carly since the dongle was generic and a lot cheaper.

[MJBO]

Had never heard of Autobrain, but by the looks of it, it doesn't do any kind of coding, seems more like a fleet management or parents-that-don't-trust-their-kids monitoring device.

[BourneJack]

Carly

[pz619]

BimmerCode. Had both and much prefer BimmerCode to Carly.

[X3power]

Originally Posted by pz619

BimmerCode. Had both and much prefer BimmerCode to Carly.

Oh, good to know. Thank you. Yes, I should have added that to the poll. I am also really interested in their Apple Car Play, so I can use the google maps navigation, my maps are outdates. I could update them for 500$ from BMW dealership, but I feel like G-maps / Apple maps would be much more reliable and frequently updated. The cost of the bimmertech carplay seems to be about 500$ too. The only thing is that I guess it wont integrate with my heads-up display (HUD). And the HUD is really nice with the directions.

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by MJBO

I used Bimmercode for my F20 1-series and it worked a treat. Excellent range of easy-to-code options, plus you could dive into the full list of advanced options (in German!) if you wanted.

Coded the digital speedo, removed the iDrive nag screen and disabled the drivers seatbelt warning (why you bing every time I turn the car on!!) to name a few. Tweaked a few other minor things, was a while back though.

Quite a bit cheaper than Carly since the dongle was generic and a lot cheaper.

Doesn't do much good for us E-designation drivers.

[gpraceman]

The big issue I have with Carly is that they went to an annual subscription. More expensive in the long run.

Unfortunately, Bimmercode doesn't work on Exx, so it won't work for me.

[rlmesq]

This isn't an either/or question because the apps are polar opposites.

Carly and Bimmercode, which I use, allow you to code customizations. They do [u]almost[/] everything through a wireless interface that you can achieve with a laptop, interface cable and coding software.

I'd never heard of Autobrain, so I googled it and found it's a tracking app that lets you keep track of employees or kids. F*** that! I don't want a snitch app on my car, like the one from Progressive insurance that gives you a discount if you drive like a granny. They'd probably increase my rates if I had it.

[GnomeChild]

I use Carly even though the devs are kind of POSes since I’ve had it for years and still have the old-version with all my in-app purchases

Would go old fashioned Laptop+NCSexpert if I didn’t/needed to code something Carly can’t

[elpoblo]

Originally Posted by X3power

What are your thoughts on getting Carly vs. Autobrain?

I am new to the BMW family, and would like to plug into my X3 to get some data off of it and do some minor customization of the iDrive display system. It seems to me that most folks here use Carly, while my friend, who has X3 also, recently got Autobrain. Glad to hear what you think the Pro/Cons of each are.

Hi Personally

I would get an enet cable from amazon and code option using ESYS I have done this and coded various option to my f10 with ease and it only cost like 12 euros for the cable Pm me if you guys want the links to the cable on amazon comes with software too.

[MJBO]

Originally Posted by bmw1racer

Doesn't do much good for us E-designation drivers.

The OP is asking about coding an F25.

For my E90 I bought Carly.

[cbarden]

I use Carly and so far I have no complaints about it.

[Psychotic Mouse]

I use Carly,

BUT

If you want to use it for logging be prepared for inconsistent data. The Data transfer rate is not consistant and not very high, so you are limited in what you log if you want to get "Rich Data". That is using their Wireless OBD adaptor.

[AUDELA]

Originally Posted by gpraceman

The big issue I have with Carly is that they went to an annual subscription. More expensive in the long run.

Unfortunately, Bimmercode doesn't work on Exx, so it won't work for me.

FYI - Bimmercode now works on E90s.

Much cheaper than Carly given no yearly subscription. One time purchase and the developer is very responsive by email

[CarAbuser]

BimmerGeeks ProTool is far superior to all of them. Read up on that before buying anything else.