best scanner/coder tool?

[squeedle]

I've done some research on this topic, but until you actually use the things, you don't really know what features you might want, etc.

Based on my previous research, I got an OBDLink LX, which is great for realtime monitoring, etc. But I recently discovered that it doesn't read "shadow codes", or really allow me to do any customizations to lighting, etc.

For an N54 135i, what are the best options here? Would really love to be able to read ALL codes and play with some settings. Bavarian Technic?

[desertman123]

CarlyBMW is great, but it is limited compared to things like BavTech. It can read BMW codes, get realtime data, do some light coding, and some other stuff.

Beware, the dongle is $60, but then you need to buy the app - $60. Battery registration is another $10, maintenance resets are $5, iDrive coding is $15. Wish I knew this before I bought it but for what it can do, and how easily/quickly, I'm not too upset.

[The Wind Breezes]

BMW Standard Tools, for free, with a $20 dongle off ebay.

[bm996tt]

Foxwell, can add other makes which makes it a good fit for me.

[gjm120]

+1 for Foxwell/Schwaben. Not a lot of experience yet, but, seems pretty capable. One gripe is it can not code in batteries. Register -yes.

[squeedle]

Thanks for the info and suggestions. It's surprisingly hard to get concrete answers/info on some of these things.

The Wind Breezes, do you have any more info on your setup? Most of the info I've found so far on BMW tools involves downloading and installing a crapton of software from sketchy places, doing lots of manual installation and modifying registry entries, etc., and warnings of things that might not work anymore on your laptop afterwards. If I had a dedicated computer for this, that might be okay, but still sounds really annoying. If your setup is really just one application and a dongle, that might do the trick. Details? Thanks!

[The Wind Breezes]

Correct, it's work to set up and it's a software suite composed of some different applications. I sent you a PM.

[tock172]

Carista is my preferred choice. I've used countless others over the years, and after buying this one, I'm ready to start posting some of my old dongles for sale.

Great functionality, great price, industry leading support.

http://www.caristaapp.com

[squeedle]

Wow, Carista sounds awesome. Does it let you read shadow codes?

[1N4ttro]

Originally Posted by desertman123

Beware, the dongle is $60, but then you need to buy the app - $60. Battery registration is another $10, maintenance resets are $5, iDrive coding is $15. Wish I knew this before I bought it but for what it can do, and how easily/quickly, I'm not too upset.

+1