I've put about 10k on my 07 R56. Bought it with 34k. Two weeks after I bought it the BOV failed, but had to take it to the dealer to find out what the fault was since a standard OBDII scanner wouldn't read it. Now I have a steering lock fault. I can hear it working, but want to try clearing the code. What are my options for reading the mini specific codes? Did some searches, but didn't find much. Was hoping the Scan GaugeII would do it, but called them and they said it wouldn't.

 

I have the same problem. My OBD2 reader will read a few codes but not all. Interested to see who has one that works and what brand.

 

I have this whenever my Scangauge is not specific enough. http://actron.com/product_detail.php?pid=16364

 

Some codes won't come up on basic scan tool. There dealer codes. Very expensive code readers will work.

 

Using BMW software is the best bet. DIS v57 is compatible with most R5x models, especially older ones. This can be found on the web and with a $100 (or less) cable (same one that works with NCS Expert) you will have a full dealer level diagnostic setup. [With this same cable you can also use the diagnostic program INPA that comes with the basic NCS Software package, INPA is simpler program that can tell you diagnostic and error codes].

Otherwise, the new diagnostic tool is called ISTA. I don't think it is available as a stand-alone software like DIS is. However, you can access it online (always the most updated version) for $30 for a 24 hour period if you have a J2534 cable (like a Drew Tech Mongoose ISO) at minitechinfo.com.

I have both cables and have used both. The step-by-step diagnostics it provides goes way beyond just telling you the code, it actually provides troubleshooting and exact procedures to determine the nature of the failure.

This software connects to every module in the car and can read codes from everything.

 

I got the bavtech tool early on. Before a lot of the above
was known. I think it was $250. Works very well but there is
a quirk they have not fixed can't change the service intervals
with the updated patch.

I do not know if it works on the 2011 models.

 

I have an 07 justa, just about out of extended warranty. Looking for a GOOD code reader, will look at the above and hope to see future posts here.

 

gregoryp,

Did you ever resolve your issue re:

Now I have a steering lock fault. I can hear it working, but want to try clearing the code.

I have an 07 R56 50K miles, I had the same issue. ELV worked fine, just generating the warning icon. Replaced the ELV with one from ECS tuning. And now can't clear the error code with INPA.

 

I have an 07 r56, the check engine light came on and the code is 3015, I'm trying to find out what this code is.

 

How did you get the code number? Is it from a scanner, from the car CC-ID, ???

 

I've been using bmwhat iphone app via an elm 327 obdii, it reads most bmw specific codes and roughly 70 for the program and the obdii