- Thread starter RBDIVE
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If you car is a few years old then maybe a Snap On unit can be bought with older code for that kind of money. Don't get excited about the possibility of getting it updated because it costs a chunk of money.
I started with a Snap On Solus Pro, it came with cables to allow me to do cars as far back as the 80s long before OBD II. I paid around £500 at the time, I ended up trading it in against a new one as it would have cost around £700 to get it updated.
I started with a Snap On Solus Pro, it came with cables to allow me to do cars as far back as the 80s long before OBD II. I paid around £500 at the time, I ended up trading it in against a new one as it would have cost around £700 to get it updated.
qwakers
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James1979
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Exactly what I was going to say. I have use of one and it’s good enough for what I do. I’d like to buy my own soon though.
Half the battle with it is interpreting the data, mind. Eg Had a ABS lamp on a transit. That thing diagnosed it as a ABS ring.
Was actually the wheel bearing making the abs ring run out of true.
What vehicle are you using it for?
Hopefully mr remmington will chip in. He set me straight when I was looking to buy one.
The Autel stuff looks really good value for money
If you do your own maintenance on modern cars then it's worth spending a bit of money. Sometimes you can get lucky with a cheap generic reader if oyu want to read codes but once you get into stuff like DPF regens you need something a bit more sophisticated.
It's amazing how many people who questioned why I spent so much are first to ring me when their engine management/ABS/SRS light is on easy source of some beer money the day before an MOT
If you do your own maintenance on modern cars then it's worth spending a bit of money. Sometimes you can get lucky with a cheap generic reader if oyu want to read codes but once you get into stuff like DPF regens you need something a bit more sophisticated.
It's amazing how many people who questioned why I spent so much are first to ring me when their engine management/ABS/SRS light is on easy source of some beer money the day before an MOT
qwakers
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One Year Update Service for MaxiCOM MK808/ MaxiCheck MX808 (Subscription Only)
Autel MaxiCOM MK808 includes one year of free software updates. After the initial year expires, you may purchase an additional year of Total Care Program (TCP). Updating your tool coverage is fast and easy and the Autel Total Care Program will keep your tool running and provide you unlimited...
www.autelstore.co.uk
I have a blue tooth adapter and the torque pro app on my phone. 20quid for the adapter and torque pro is free for engine management issues. To do abs/airbags and Bob engine related stuff you have to buy the software. This is about 6 quid and may cover a whole manufacturer but may be just a single model. I only need to plug in one vehicle so works out far cheaper. And I can leave the adapter plugged in when driving without it getting in the way for real time stats on my phone
premmington
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Scan tool wise. Anything less than £2.5k with minimum £500 yearly updates is gonna be frustrating to use - when it comes to live data/graphing/actuator testing/reseting of learned values/service resets/EPB/BMS. Minor coding jobs.
Launch or Autel - is where my money would go (does go). I favour Launch for workshop jobs and service type work and Autel for programming - keys/used modules.
People in China steal data/code from the West - take it back East - back write it - then sell it from the East back to the West.
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Unless you have VAG group car - then it is VCDS HEXNET. Super tool for the money!
Gscan tab - is sensible money and good for Kia/Hyundai and Jap cars.
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Subject is a mine field - if you don't know what you are doing - paying a garage is maybe a good idea!
Problem with all of this Tech - it dates so quick - you gotta be using it - to get your money's worth out of it.
Then there is the next step - pass thru - direct from Manufacturers servers into car in your workshop or on your driveway - this is hyper expensive - but dealer level - avail' to everyone (who is willing to pay)
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For the bargin basement scantools - £99.99 - Thinkdiag is good for most stuff I've used it on, it needs Internet connection though and a phone (only lasts for two years thou - three years is £124.99).
THINKDIAG UK - Advanced Diagnostics From Your Smartphone
The THINKDIAG UK OE level advanced diagnostic tool supports full enhanced vehicle diagnostics including actuation tests, live data and special functions all from just your smartphone.
thinkdiag.co.uk
I don't own a Thinkdiag app myself - but I have used it allot and it's very good for the money
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keithski122
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I bought an autel one about 12-15 years ago, however my wife and I drive japanese cars so I have yet to use it.
MetalMonkey
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Not familiar with the car, but if it is just going to be mainly one specific model and make, it might be worth checking on an owners forum.
There are sometimes, err, shall we say "modified versions" of dealer level type tools floating about or specific lower cost units which will give you excellent coverage on that car for little investment and no subscription updates.
If you want to cover several modern vehicles at any serious level, things get very expensive, and I would defer to the advice already offered.
There are sometimes, err, shall we say "modified versions" of dealer level type tools floating about or specific lower cost units which will give you excellent coverage on that car for little investment and no subscription updates.
If you want to cover several modern vehicles at any serious level, things get very expensive, and I would defer to the advice already offered.
Look for a hacked version of the dealer software to install on a laptop & the correct lead to connect to your obd port on the car. I have one that does Peugeot/Citroen & it has paid for itself several times over sorting my vehicles out.
Bobupndown
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I just bought an Autel AP200 Bluetooth obd tool, about £50. Gets a very good reputation although I haven't actually used it yet. Locked to one manufacturer for free, other can be added for £20 a year.
premmington
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I bought into Launch Eurotab III at £5700 and very pleased with it...
I agree. Something like a delphi copy is around £150 with a laptop. It will pay for itself no time.
