Sorry if this has been covered in another post. Can anyone make a recommendation on a manual for the R56? I'm looking for something that is comprehensive and technical. I've seen a few things on Amazon but don't know how good any of them truly are. Thanks in advance.

 

The Bentley manual is the one to get.
You will also want the tool. The BavTech tool.
I could not see owning a German or English car
without it.

 

Thanks Condor I ordered the manual. This BavTech thing looks interesting too....maybe money well spent but it would have to wait for another month.

 

I agree it is expensive. But it does pay for itself the first time you have
an errant light. Note - so far I have only been able to reset the lights.
It was supposed to read real time engine parameters and also let me reset
the condition based service intervals but it does not.

In all honesty for $300 I wanted it to be able to do all three things.
But also I do not know of another place that makes something similar.
To just reset lights should be closer to $150 like other cars in my opinion.

 

Have you contacted BavTech to see why you can't view active data? I'm thinking of getting this tool since I will soon have two Mini's in the garage but don't think it's worth the $$ just to reset lights.

Zukoda

 

Unfortunately it actually IS worth that much to fix the lights. I just think that
a similar tool to JUST reset the lights is usually $100-150 and that includes
BMWs.

I have not had time to contact them. I mean, I have not had time to contact them
at a time when I had the time.

 

I mean when I was thinking about it I have not had the time, or I think about it
at 5 am on a Saturday when I need the thing to work and it doesn't. That sort of thing is what I meant.

 

I sent them a note. It's really annoying because I've had
8 oil changes since buying that thing.

 

It appears there is an issue with the newest software version and the R56.
The older version (they sent a link to me to install) works just fine.

I'll reinstall it and let everybody know if it works.

This would be a big relief to me to be able to have this thing work.
Of course they get a ton of free advertising from me because it
does work and I am very happy with the company.

 

EIGHT oil changes before you contacted them? You have WAY more patience than I do... I would like to know if you get it working or not...

Zukoda

 

Please keep us posted as the more I think about it, the more I think this would be a very useful tool. My car is now out of warranty and with the help of a mechanically inclined friend, I am now doing my own repairs and modifications.

By the way I see you have CRXsi. I had an '89 and really miss it.

 

Tools like the ScanGauge do show engine parameters (and other stuff) in real-time or near-real-time. The update rate on the CANbus is not super fast, but they are very useable for things that don't change quickly, like coolant temps. In theory, they also let you read and reset CELs, though they don't give you as much information as the dedicated scanners like the BavTech tool.

I sold a 1990 CRX Si to get my MINI. I guess we all like small nimble fun-to-drive FWD hatchbacks, huh?