As I get deeper into my F56S and some quirks that arose on my F56S after a software upgrade done this month, it's becoming clear to me that I need a scan tool that can really speak BMW/MINI. I have been using basic OBD2 stuff for a while, and have BimmerLink and BimmerCode but none of that is up to the task.

For example, BimmerLink will tell me that certain nonpermanent error or info codes have popped up -- that's awesome. Unfortunately though, it won't tell me whether the fault condition that threw the code still exists. A shop system will, and I imagine certain aftermarket products will.

Why do I care? This is coming up in the context of a couple of reports of short circuits in the CAS system -- so I need to chase down more context, like "do you think it is shorted right now, car computer module? Or no?" And I'm chasing those reports in the middle of one serious issue: https://www.tsbsearch.com/MINI/SI-M32-01-14

Looking for recommendations for a BMW/MINI-smart scan tool in that context. I'm not looking to break the bank or become an independent MINI shop, so the super-pricey ones are not needed and off the table. Any recommends? If you have been through choosing one that gets you to where I'm trying to get, how did you make your choice? Who are the players to check out or avoid?

Appreciate any insights. Thanks!

 

I bought this about 6 months ago. Foxwell NT530
https://www.foxwelldiag.com/products...40625470537894
Comes with 1 car manufacturer software, pick the one with BMW preloaded. Its also MINI and Rolls Royce, as if that matters!!!
Ignore the adapters they dont apply to you.
On sale for $149.00

Monthly updates vis PC download to its micro flash.

I also bought the Toyota/Lexus software separately

The NT710 is its successor.

 

Cool info. The NT530 doesn't look bad. The NT710 is above the price point I'm looking to stay under. Though I don't know whether the functionality I'm looking for is in the NT530.

Is there a user manual online somewhere for the NT530?

 

Found the NT530 manual!

 

it speaks MINI
it’s the same as ECStuning branded one
but cheaper.
Got mine in 2 days direct from Foxwell

 

I bought the older Foxwell NT510 "Elite" diagnostic scanner for my R53 on Amazon a year ago, which was the first of its type that I'd owned. Interesting and useful data, however it does have scanning limitations plus being limited by "umbilical cord" cable to the OBD2 port during test drives bugs me. In the end, I bought an OBDLink.com bluetooth scanner, which does so much more. The 1st Gen MINI doesn't support BimmerCode scanning, so that doesn't apply to mine. I chose the OBDLINK® MX+ model dongle, which is compatible with iOS, Android and Windows devices, which was successful finding and clearing a code on my buddy's R53 that the Foxwell could not. Pretty cool customizable dashboard virtual "gauges" drawing from avail PIDs from your car's ECU. Also noting that OBDLink scan dongles are all on sale right now, either direct or from Amazon...

 

Interesting. Looking again at the NT710, it's $229 at the Foxwell site (vs the NT530 at $149), but the NT710 supports over-WiFi upgrades -- I did see some chatter about the NT series requiring through-a-Windows-PC updates instead.

Any thoughts on that? Would you grab an NT530 or an NT710 if you were buying today?

 

Interesting. I have been using OBDFusion (which the OBDLink site says has the same functionality as the free OBDLink app) for years, and have used it on my MINI as well.

What app are you using with this? If it's identical to OBDFusion -- meaning the same featureset -- OBDFusion doesn't have what I need here. Love it, works great with my other car, but doesn't get into the guts of the various BMW computers/subsystems.

 

^^^ I''m using OBDLink's own app, which is no cost available here: OBDLINK APP

So far, only used with my R53 but also compatible with my other vehicles. I like that once connected by BT with VIN recognized, the app can identify which PIDs are available to view as a virtual gauge on the device dashboard. For those unaware, adding a "gauge" without supporting PID data displays no data. I could post a few pics of displays on my 7" Android tablet while driving if helpful but won't clutter your topic unnecessarily otherwise.

 

The screenshots of the OBDLINK APP at that hyperlink are a 100% match with OBD Fusion. No variation whatsoever!

I do like OBD Fusion (and I guess the OBDLink app) but definitely doesn't have the functionality I'm looking for.

 

For the 3rd gen, which is a true BMW product (BMW X1), I could not find any "app" that had all the functionality of a "hardware" box.
The main reason I bought this was to activate ABS during brake flushing.

1st and 2nd gen MINIs are Peugeot/Renault with a Hybrid ECU


I would have bought the NT 710, but it came out a month later!!

 

I ordered up an NT710. Looking forward to having it in-hand!

 

Good call, Im jealous!!

 

Maybe a review of the unit with some pictures?...

Also, a quick question(s) for you:

: Which "Style" did you choose? On Foxwell's site they have a few listings "NT710 With 1 Software" and "NT710 With BMW Adapter"

: Is the "1 Software" BMW only or is it BMW/MINI?

Thanks -Rich

 

When you order the 530 or 710, with 1 software, you get the unit, and a download code for the software. You pick the software when you use the download.
If you order with BMW, that means its preloaded with BMW/MINI/Rolls Royce software.
I order mine with BMW preloaded, then bought the Toyota/Lexus for $60 after I got my unit, dowloaded it, and have both on my 530.
Not sure on the 710, but the 530 came with a a MicroSD. Thats where the software exists. To add vehicles in the 530, you download
to a PC onto the MicroSD, then pop the card in the unit.

YOU DO NOT NEED THE ADAPTER!!

 

I ordered the "NT710 with 1 Software." I did some digging into that round-end adapter cable and I think it's for pre-OBDII BMW's. My intent is, as per @TVPostSound 's comments, to get the BMW software (which covers BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce according to the product page at the manfuacturer site).

I don't have the unit in hand yet, but it is supposedly being delivered at some point today. Stay tuned, I'll report back as to physical connectivity with my F56 S.

 

The 710 and 530 are identical in testing functions.
The 710 is a little faster, allows upgrades via wifi, and different screen menus.

If you want to save a buck, get the 530. I have no issues using Bootcamp on my Mac to download, and upgrade the SD card.

 

Thank you @TVPostSound @cjv2

Last night I placed the order for the NT710 w/1 Software from Foxwell directly.

This morning I received the tracking information which is even better.

@TVPostSound my Mac doesn’t support Boot Camp and did not want to mess around with Parallels or VMware Fusion.

 

I hear you, I keep an old 2012 Mac Mini just for Bootcamp!! (I hate Windows!!)

 

Well, USPS tracking numbers aren't everything, mine has moved from "delivery on Dec 1" to delivery eventually. Will post an update whenever it shows up.

 

What city are you in?

Might be a ways from Shenzhen, China!!henzhen, China

 

The NT710 arrived today. Have to say I like the fact that it is a genuine Android OS-running tablet. The touchscreen and the form factor are both major pluses. The fact that it works like any other Android device for wi-fi connectivity is another plus. I'll take it over the 5xx series for those details alone. The ability to then update over Wi-Fi is a bonus, and it's minimal effort to do so. That includes loading the 1st vehicle software -- after registering the device and setting up an account (all this also doable from the NT710 itself, while connected to Wi-Fi) you can navigate to a screenful of all the by-make softwares, and you pick (in our case) BMW, it DOES display that that includes the MINI (and Rolls Royce), and away you go.

And hey @RichsMINI , I got it right, the "with 1 software" decision. The unit came with a physical cable that is male OBDII on one end (this plugs into the car) and 26-pin female D-sub at the other (this plugs into the NT710). No need to order the one with the "BMW Adapter" -- that is almost certainly for dealing with pre-OBDII vehicles.

Gonna take me a minute for me to figure this thing out and play with it a bit, but I am liking what I see so far.

One weirdness -- it comes with a male USB-A (plug into power brick, not supplied) to female USB-C (plug into NT710) cable. Plugging it into a USB-A power brick, charging works. Not fast but it works. Separately and on my own, I have a USB-C power brick ( ) and a USB-C to USB-C cable, and they both work with other devices. They do NOT work to charge the NT710. No idea why.

Well, one idea.

• The unit appears to be a Sunyard i50.
• Product specs link: https://sunyard.en.made-in-china.com...minal-I50.html
• The specs list an input amperage of 0.5A.
• 0.5A charging input is the stuff of wayback USB-A (even USB-A power bricks are up to at least 1.5A and often 2.1A - 3A now).
• I'm not sure a USB-C power brick will even bother with 1/2 an amp of output.

One wi-fi note: the tablet will do 802.11B, G, and N, 2.4 GHz only. It apparently does not have the hardware to see 5GHz-frequency networks of any kind. No biggie but something that is easy not to be aware of during purchase.

 

just ordered up the 710 the other day as well

 

I have a NT624E Elite (US Foxwell) it is great, wired to OBDII and has downloads for many cars, including BMW and MINI and RR.. It have helped with code reading and the help info of each code, does provide better understanding of the issues. I recently found out it does not do Battery Registration.. which I need to do on the F56.
So I am looking to probably buy Carly for MINI or BimmerLink.. and will need a OBD Bluetooth adapter. Any recommendations?

 

Carly does some of Bimmercode, and some of Bimmerlink.
But Carly has gone corporate, and their business model turned me off.

I happily paid for both Bimmercode, and Bimmerlink to support a small business.
As far as adapters go, use recommendations on Bimmerlink Bimmecode website.