Hey there,

recently got the good old engine light on my r53, getting a scan costs like 70 bucks at my mechanic's so i was thinking ill just buy a cheap obd2 scanner and see what i can find out myself first. Getting a little lost as to what my best option is however and im just looking for any advice on this topic because everything im finding online is either pretty old or doesnt relate to the r53.

heres what im finding so far:
-i could buy a cheap standalone unit like the launch creader v+ and just hope it will work on the r53 but it seems unconfirmed.
-i could get a bluetooth setup like the bluedriver, however its on the pricier side and also i cant confirm if it will work on the r53
-or it seems i can get a cheap adapter like the elm327? and pair it with an app that should be able to send me some data. this seems like a cheap and reasonable option but then some apps seem like they only work for android (and im an idiot with an iphone) or i need to get some wifi adapter that could maybe work with iphone but then maybe it wont work on the r53

anyways all of the info im finding online seems to be from like 2016 and since i know new products are popping up all the time thought id just ask for some advise.

what i need is something that will be able to tell me what code i have and the state of the engine when it happened.
ideally however if anyone knows of a solution that could give me some of these extra options that would be sweet:
-able to send the data to my iphone
-boost gauge and other live gauges
-coding if possible, would be cool to be able to program my windows and key and stuff.

any input would be sweet, trying to spend under 100 but the cheaper the better. Thanks a lot for taking the time!

 

An elm327 bluetooth device works just fine for pulling OBDII codes. They do make them for the iPhone but make sure it's a 4.0 bluetooth model. They're less than $15 on eBay.

 

I 2nd this..they also allow for live data and cool gauges on your phone . I use an x60 gauge in my car and it has a built in scanner which works well. It was like 50$ for it and I use it to keep an eye on my coolant temp and intake temps.
heres what I got and use and like alot
copy and paste, it won't do a hyperlink
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https://www.amazon.com/AUTOOL-Multi-Function-Water-Temp-Malfunction-Test-Automotive/dp/B07L8RPLCG/ref=asc_df_B07L8RPLCG/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312280085431&hvpos=1o1&hvne tw=g&hvrand=595555399722044962&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvq mt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9018803&h vtargid=pla-632688059030&psc=1

 

If you are looking for more than just checking and clearing code, I would recommend the Schwaben scan tool. You would be able to test individual Mini/BMW components

 

thanks for the response! I’ll probably grab one off of eBay tonight! Do you recommend any particular app? Or any elm should work for any app I find? Thanks again!

 

this looks great actually, looks like the newer version is the x70 that I could get shipped to Canada but seems to do the same thing! So with just the gauge you’re able to also scan and reset codes? Or would you recommend also getting the Bluetooth adapter? Also, do you know if it would do a boost gauge cause it isn’t mentioned in the description but I think you can get that information through obd2 right?

 

I used one of those for the first few weeks when I got my R53, it will only pull and clear codes using an app like Torgue . When it comes to diagnosing problems, you'll need something that can test components, like the Schwaben tool I mentioned in an earlier post.

 

thanks! Yeah I have seen that one but I think it’s a little bit out of my price range at the moment unfortunately. Also I was unclear if it would work for mine because it’s an 05 and bmw took over Mini in 06 right? Does that tool have the coding capabilities? I might save up for one in the future

 

got it. Yeah I saw the torque app but wasn’t sure if it works on iOS. Maybe there is an Apple version now though. For now I think I’ll stick with the cheap version because it seems to be driving fine, just want to be able to make sure there is nothing more serious going on that could hit me in the long run.

 

Yes it will work on your 05, I have an 06.. It does not do coding.

 

It reads codes and it erases them also..though I think it doesn't erase them on these minis as mine won't but it's a hard code .it does real-time data and other stuff...I would get the x60 as it's the one I have and I know it works great and it also has better reviews for some reason.

 

Research the Viecar bluetooth OBDII version. I use it with the Car Scanner Pro app on my iPhone. It will satisfy what you're looking for and will cost around $30 total.

 

thanks! Will do

 

I've thought about even getting another elm327 and buying a cheap 30$ phone and designating the phone as a autogauge and mount it as such ..
In my s55 I had an Android head unit and it paired to it great ! I used torqueplus app which works with iOS I'm pretty sure !

 

Just got the Autool x60 and when I plug it into my 2005 R53 it goes through several connecting screens then says “Connection Failed” and shuts off.
Any suggestions?
just tried in in my F250, and works as intended.

 

Key must be on in position 1.

 

Thanks, still no joy.
like I said, as soon as I plugged it into my Ford truck, it worked fine.

 

the car must be running . Ignition on , atleast in my r53 does not supply power to the 0bd diagnostic port. In order to run codes and erase them I needed my car to be running.
I also have the x60 , love it ! 5x better and 4x cheaper than scantool

 

Inpa is what bmw uses. Best imo

 

BavarianTechnic also has a useful OBDII tool. OBDII connect via USB port on your laptop; download software; Bob's your uncle; done.

 

Well, tried every different combination, key on, motor running, key off. Same thing, so now it’s in my truck. Works fine in it.
it is obviously getting power in the Mini, but not reading/seeing anything.
Thanks for the help.

 

I bought an elm327 for my R50, but it did not work. It says it only does Dcan without an upgraded Firmware so be careful which version you buy.

 

To replace an older elm device I ordered the, " ," from amazon back in July and it's been great paired with the free version of "http://carscanner.info" on my iPhone. Works well reading & clearing DTCs with my '05 R53, and also with my '03 VW Eurovan (identified a pesky EVAP error) and my wife's '19 Tacoma. No complaints.

 

I use a simple OBD ELM (v1.5) on my 2006 R53. I only use Torque Pro / Piston app

 

I'm backing schmeed here... I bought the Veepeak OBD wireless and I'm using the Carscaner app on my iPhone. (Torque is not available on the iPhone / IOS from what I can tell)
So far so good, just got it and I'll probably post more of my thoughts on my progress thread.

There is some good reading here
https://www.carscanner.info/choosing-obdii-adapter/
which for a noob like me was very helpful.