Any one know if there is a CODE READER/RESET TOOL available for the R56 yet?

Like this one...

http://new.minimania.com/web/Item/NM.../InvDetail.cfm

 

It's standard ODB II I believe.

 

The R56 is a different animal with a different engine and computer. The ODB II tools will not work according to my dealer and Mini Mania.

 

Might just have to wait a little while until ODBII scanner manufacturers update the software to work with 07 MINIs. Some probably already work.

 

For somebody who has one, is it worth getting?

 

Out of warranty yes. In warranty, well if you trust your dealer than maybe not. It can tell you if the general light is something bad. My wife came home said there was a light on. I ran the scan code and found out that her coolant was a bit low but the car was not running hot. There have been a few other cases. The biggest one is when your dealer forgets to reset the computer, you can do it yourself.

 

I'm not sure how it is with MINIs since I don't have mine yet but your service engine light or oil light might come on if you change the oil yourself but don't reset the service counter. I mean the light might come on even though the oil is good and was just replaced.

 

Are the MINI reset tool interchangeable with BMW's? They sure look the same from the pic. I would definitely buy one if it can reset my R56 and BMWs.

 

same here if you are modifying anything the lights come on all the time and would be nice to clear to make sure the engine isn't cutting power.

 

I have the Bavarian Technic tool for my 335. The same tool works on the Minis. Its very easy to use and will display all and clear all codes, it will also data log among a bunch of other things I dont even look at.

 

I know that company makes them for BMW also. Inquire from them when the plan on making one.

 

They've been available for a good while. I bought one at checkers about 2 years ago for ~$80. Standard obdII reader worked just fine. I bought it when my UNIchip started causing cels on a daily basis.

 

Ya but the part shown can reset the service light that comes on when you need to take it in.

 

ScanGauge II works well too.

 

ScanGauge II would be cheaper than one trip to the dealer.

 

The barvarian one would be worth the extra 100 bucks above the scangauge just so you can reset the service lights. Do your own oil twice and it will pay for itself.

 

Could you explain that? Why would changing the oil require you to reset the service lights? I'm under the impression that the service is calculated by miles and driving style. I don't think it does any analysis of the oil itself.

 

The service light comes on when you need to change the oil. If you do it yourself it costs around 50 bucks but at the dealer it is +- $100. It cost me $150 to get the dealer to check/reset my engine light once because it was caused by the aftermarket catback exhauste.

 

OBDII is OBDII
Any OBDII reader will work on these cars. It is an industry standard.

I think we are mixing Mini-specific codes/flags with OBDII. Some things cannot be done by aftermarket OBDII tools. The dealer has the marker cornered on those items...

Some tool mfgs have some of the basic Mini-specific functions covered. As others above said, this likely changed with 07-on Minis

 

I have tried two different ones. One even said it can do the CAN type but neither could hook up with the Mini

 

What do you want to do?

Most CAN readers can read and reset CEL codes using the OBD II port. They do not read or reset ABS or airbag codes.

 

Sorry i geuss I am a moron. I tried it again and it worked -codes clear. Just that car has to be running to hook up, others only need the key on.

 

there are two levels of code clearing: the OBD II level and the DME level.

1) The simple OBD II clearing of the codes will clear the light indicators, but most of the time, it codes are still embedded in the DME (engine computer).

2) At the DME level, codes are stored in memory other than the OBD II area and the DME will refer to those stored codes for guidance. To clear these codes, one would need specialty tools (BMW's GT1 or Autologic Service tool - both can be had for around $10k). Typically, a good BMW shop will have these on hand. In addition to clearing codes, these tools can code various modules in the cars (the same functions that can be performed at the MINI/BMW dealerships). Dealership typically uses the BMW GT1 tool...

hope this helps...

 

so does anyone know this code p12a3