I know this is the 6.5 version but for the money if they're any good would be worth a look. http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.16549 I've dealt with them numerous times for bits and pieces and always recieve my stuff and free shipping too which is a plus. Have a look !!

 

That's a huge difference in price, don't know if 6.5v is any worse.
i'll try it

 

Was thinking of trying one myself but then again a friend of mine is a mechanic so he'll throw the car on his anytime i need. Let me know how you get on with it. Usually 2 weeks to recieve it from there but for a bit extra you'll get it quicker.

 

RS232 interface urggghh. Dont have a Comm port on my laptops and apparently this wont work with a USB to RS232 adapter...

 

a pcmcia card with serial port will work

 

I have Carsoft 6.5 working on Win7 with a Belkin F5U103 USB serial adapter but it's a big old piece of kit, and I doubt it's still available. I'm sure there are other USB -> serial adapters out there that will work though.

 

How do you find the Carsoft one is it good and how much did you pay for it if you don't mind me asking ?

 

I decided to get BMW INPA instead of Carsoft, though I would mention the alternative.

I got INPA + OBD1 + OBD2 cables from eBay. Worked without a hitch. Search for INPA on eBay, seller: djingang2009.

 

Am I missing something - those cables are less than 20 quid - do you need extra software or something for them to work ??

 

INPA is presumably aimed at Engineers, how usable is it for the hobbyist?

 

Depends alot on your general knowledge of engines etc and values for their sensors. The main advantage is that it shows proper life data hence helps sometimes to trace those pescy little intermittent ones...

 

So you can just buy those cables for 20 quid and its comes with the software, so nothing else is needed , you can get straight in and check/reset codes ?

 

I found thread on bimmerforum http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=952429

it's fully explained how to run carsoft but it seems it's not that easy,
and it's hard to get a laptop with serial port

 

Bavarian technic bmw's answer to vag com
Good kit for the money and bang up to date
Murf

 

Hi Guys,

sorry to revive the dead thread here but i just did a quick search for OBD1 and this thread was most informative. I have a 1990 E34 M5 3.6 that i tried to plug a OBD2 Diagnostic CPU into yesterday to run a fault code check and reset all. Managed to get the oil service and inspection lights done but the OBD2 didnt recognise my car at all, ive since realised it needs the older skool OBD1 diagnostic ran on it - Any of you guys based in Dublin with an OBD1 Diagnostic i could use to run a fault code report on the car and reset all? Just want to see if its throwing up anything out of the ordinary that may need immediate attention. I live/work in the Swords/Malahide location.

Cheers, Ian.

 

@captain23
Would love to able to help u there but since moving house I don't have a pc with serial port to use my Carsoft 6.5 And my other elm327 interface is obd2 only afaik..


Does anyone think that the cheap PCMCIA serial Ports on eBay would be any use? There's one for around €7 in Hong Kong. It's a fairly simple device so can't see why not myself...

-Jd

 

I'm using carsoft with a standard usb to serial dongle from Maplin. Only change I made is to change the dongle com-port to any of 1-4 instead of what it was originally.

Doesn't fault me at all.

/M

 

Do you know what brand of USB to Serial dongle you got? I picked up one myself in Maplin (a blue coloured one) made a few config changes but I couldn't get it to work. Apparently some work & others don't

 

Can anyone with Carsoft 6.1 or 6.5 give us an idea of what the general cost is to purchase something like this:

http://www.obdchina.com/bmw-carsoft-interface/472.html

I have a feeling it may be a worthwhile investment!

 

Well, I have carsoft 6.5 purchased from dealextreme.com, it cost about E65 and it works AOK with my old-ish laptop which has a Serial Port.

Only thing with a lot of these carsoft clones, is that the diagnostics are as Gaeilge (i.e. in German).

I have to send my diagnostic messages to google translator!

If purchasing again, think I'd be looking at inpa but I'm a computerey type.

 

Only thing with a lot of these carsoft clones, is that the diagnostics are as Gaeilge (i.e. in German).

I have to send my diagnostic messages to google translator!

If purchasing again, think I'd be looking at inpa but I'm a computerey type.

Mine are english, but then again, I never installed the software from the cd from dealextreme, as I already had a version of carsoft on my computer. Just needed the module. So it could just be a setting or the version of carsoft you have, that's talking german to you.

/M

 

I got English version Carsoft (readily available just Google) & I also have INPA working with the Carsoft interface as of yesterday.
I am in the process of installing DIS/GT1/SSS/Progman apparently they will work with the inteface too.
Although it is not recommended to do any major re-programming unless you have the right diaghead unit. It will be handy for small things like autlock program per key, etc.

 

OK, I have DIS/GT1 working with the Carsoft Interface. What a dose!

Just posting this here in case someone is looking for help with the install, it takes ages.

 

Will be looking into doing this in the future after seeing your post enabling auto-lock. Thanks for the offer.

 

Hi,

I have carsoft 6.5 installed, trying to use it with prolific usb-serial but i am getting bad communication with he module, ie: cant connect.
i have tried com 1&2 and two different 16-pin obd-2 cables from the interface..

Any ideas?

-john

edit: ps i`m using vista which is probably the main reason ...

 

... trying to use it with prolific usb-serial but i am getting bad communication...

Those USB to serial converters do not always work well with Carsoft, or indeed other SW packages for that matter. Some USB-Serial do, others don't. Some you have to install a driver to make Carsoft, etc. work with it. The best thing you can do is find an older laptop with a serial port just for diagnosis or buy a VAG COM KKL interface (it's USB), modify it & use INPA with it (it's better than Carsoft).

 

I thought I'd be in luck as it used the prolific chipset..

On the lookout for an ancient laptop now.

-John