I am interested in buying a diagnostic tool for my Mini.

My immediate need is for a system to bleed the brakes. I want to get software that will activate the abs pump to do a complete bleed.

AutoEnginuity's web site says that with the BMW/Mini add on software, their system will do that. However, it is near $500.

Bavarian's system cost somewhat less, but i cannot find any info if it will activate the pump.

I have read in here about people bleeding the abs pump by driving the car and activating the pump that way. I don't really want to do that.

I would appreciate any input about these systems effectiveness and any other suggestions.

Thanks,

Bill

 

Man I am in the same place. I am looking for a scanner and AE (Auto Enginuity) ST06, their latest version, seems like it has to be the best deal compared to hand held scanners as its software for a laptop.

But as you say the BMW/MINI professional bundle is another $250. So $500 all together if you want to manipulate every aspect of the car. But even at a pricey $500 perhaps that is much more capable than any equivalent hand held.

The GEN1 guys have a long thread about AE, but its from 2006.

The AE ST06 starter kit (just for OBDII reading) is slightly cheaper here: http://www.bimmerzone.com/Diagnostic.../AEN-ST06.html

Then there is Bavarian Technic which is BMW MINI specific and starts at $180 but works on only one VIN per software package, 3 VINS for $290, $680 for unlimited VINs: http://www.waymotorworks.com/search....=search&page=1

 

If your goal is to bleed the brakes, cycling the ABS pump is one step you can safely skip. Everyone I know, with whom I've been doing DEs for the past 15+ years, we all bleed brakes the old fashioned way.
What little old brake fluid is trapped in the ABS pump will get cycled out the next time your hit the brakes and trip ABS. The volume is too small to matter.

I suppose you could can re-bleed the brakes after the few test ABS activations to get 100% of the old fluid out, but I don't know anyone who bothers to do that.

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