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So I know many of you will have some experience using various scanners and diagnostic equipment.
I've tried a couple of times to get a good setup and failed, both with downloading stuff and purchasing various tools such as Carly that then didn't work.
So what would you recommend? I want the versatility of being able to use it on early OBD cars (late 90s BMWs) as well as my Iveco & Fiat vans, my rather forlorn Impreza, etc. I don't want to be counting flashes here, or resorting to the internet to interpret codes, I want a detailed error message telling me what is wrong with any given vehicle.
I don't have a budget but I do expect the right tool to cost 4 figures. I have a decent laptop sitting idle that I already bought all the bluetooth OBD connectors for so I would err towards something that utilised that, but not essential. I want to be able to reliably diagnose all manner of issues, and do mileage correction (absolutely not for clocking - I want to restore the accurate mileage in several of my vehicles that have been clocked by other people and/or had electrical issues with the reading)
What are my options here? Any top suggestions? Obviously I know I can just go buy a Solus but I'd like to hear some hands-on experience from retro-riders and not the local brakes and oil change mechanics.
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mk2cossie
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,953 
Club RR Member Number: 77
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Diagnostics...mk2cossie
@mk2cossie
Club Retro Rides Member 77
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Have a look at some of the stuff from Launch. At work there is 2 of us with older Snap-On diagnostics, and the workshop has a 7 inch tablet version of Launch. There is some things the Snap-On will do that Launch doesn't, but for the cost of Launch it is pretty good. And does a lot more in general than we use it for  |
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Rich
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 6,249
Club RR Member Number: 160
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Diagnostics...Rich
@foxmcintyre
Club Retro Rides Member 160
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Another for launch here. Most backwards compatible OBD leads are available for it. I frequently use it on my Mazdas and friends Nissan and the protocol is fine. Can even do the TEN-GND check and active test on the Mazda so still pretty relevant.
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I bought a little autel ms808 for the 1/100 cars that we don't have coverage for with our main diag equipment. It was about 700 quid a year ago.
Got to say I absolutely love it. I reach for it before the 10k autologic most of the time. Lovely unit, software is mostly excellent. Coverage is great. Really had no issues with it.
I think if I were to buy it again i'd spend a little more and get one with a bigger screen. The labels for some live data are too long for the little screen so you have to press a button to find out what it's supposed to say; when you go back it's scrolled down and you've lost your place. A bigger screen would sort that out.
For the money I really don't think you can beat it.
(Having said that i've not tried the other options for years now. I didn't really like my old snap on verus scanner)
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Nov 27, 2021 15:30:00 GMT
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I had a demo of one of the Launch tablets in the summer; unfortunately it wasn't fully updated but still seemed very capable and a bit of a bargain at £1,395+VAT, considering the update subscription for my current (and increasingly frustrating) Snap-On Modis Ultra is costing me over £900 a year.
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Nov 29, 2021 13:42:53 GMT
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That's a good point, I really don't want to be hooked into a subscription or constant updates either, I've absolutely no need for it to be up to date with every new model that comes out.
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Rich
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 6,249
Club RR Member Number: 160
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Diagnostics...Rich
@foxmcintyre
Club Retro Rides Member 160
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Nov 29, 2021 13:54:26 GMT
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That's a good point, I really don't want to be hooked into a subscription or constant updates either, I've absolutely no need for it to be up to date with every new model that comes out. It’s not always ‘new model’ updates. Often there is backwards compatibly updates in terms of dealer features. Launch units often get you a two year update subscription but after that the unit continues to be a functional scanner at the level of last updates so you don’t ‘lose out’ on backwards functionality in as much as the machine doesn’t stop working when your sub ends. |
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,194
Club RR Member Number: 170
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Diagnostics...ChasR
@chasr
Club Retro Rides Member 170
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What Rich said.
Snap-On and Launch are the two I've seen good things from. They've talked to BMWs, Fords, VAGs and so on.
However, it depends on the brand. I do know from experience Snap-On Solus does not know what a Saab is. Here your only choice will always ever be GM TECH II for true diagnostics.
Some like VCDS are great for VAGs but they are now also a subscription model only. As said the updates are relevant to older cars too.
I take it you are sick of using INPA on older BMWs? I've still found that to be a clunky, but very powerful diagnostics tool, especially with how you can test features on the car and its live data. The lack of UK language for the codes can be annoying at times mind you.
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Last Edit: Dec 4, 2021 8:52:55 GMT by ChasR
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