Last year I bought a 05 MC and the Service Engine Soon light just came on. I am going to swing by Auto Zone to see what code they say it is, but I was wondering if I should invest in a cable that will read and reset the BMW codes. I've done a bit of searching and it looks like there are a few options.

Does anybody have experience / an opinion with these? Also, I have a buddy who has a 2000 BMW 323Ci and a 2005 BMW x3 and if it would work on his cars too that would be a nice bonus. Thanks in advance.

 

Buy a scan gague. It not only gives you water temp and voltage info but many other engine readouts,but will also read and clear codes. You mount it in car and will help plenty.

 

This is what a lot of people use. http://www.scangauge.com/products/scangaugeii/

 

Or this: http://www.ultra-gauge.com/ultragauge/index.htm

 

I have heard the ultra-gaugue can run the battery down when engine is off. Maybe they have corrected this problem but think the scan gauge is the preferred item by most of mini owners. Have one in my 2005 JCW and like it a lot.

 

Wow thanks for all the quick replies. Will the scan gauge give me the MINI/BMW specific codes (and the English translation of what they mean) or does it only do the generic OBD2 codes that Auto Zone will tell me (which often says it could one of these 4 or 5 things)?

How does it compare to something like this http://www.peakeresearch.com/fcx3.htm?

 

I believe that battery run down problem was only associated with the GEN2 MINIs - not your 05 fortyfive.... regardless, UG indicates they have fixed that issue with their latest version they offer (EM version 1.2).

FWIW ~ I've had the UG 1.2 in my 04 S for a month or so - no problems to date, it works great & has a nice display - tho I have yet to throw a code (fingers crossed)

I do not have any experience with the Scan Gauge - I've heard good things about them - but note that the Ultra-Gauge is about 1/2 the cost of the Scan Gauge ... and when I was shopping ~ it looked to me that they both do essentially the same thing ~ my $.02

 

Do you have a iphone or smart phone?

If so look into a PLX Wifi device and the Devtoaster Rev app. I found it to be easier to read than the scangauge and it's killer easy to move from car to car ( a lot of people hardmount their scangauges in, not all).

http://plxdevices.com/product_info.php?id=GSSTWIFI
http://www.devtoaster.com/products/rev/

 

I do have a smart phone. It looks like Devtoaster Rev also only reads the generic codes not the BMW specific ones. Though there is another app (BMWhat) that reads BMW specific.
I'm not sure I want to get one that will tell me the same info that I can get from Auto Zone that is less than 1 mile away.
Does anybody have experience with one that reads BMW codes? Are they as helpful and specific as I think they'll be.

Thanks.