What do you think - ebay BMW scam ??

[Derek A.]

I saw this on ebay. Its out of Germany. I wonder if its some guy trying to rip people off or he has a unique BMW diagnostic product. Granted for $80 its not a ton of money. Anyone have any input?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7940663099&category=33596

http://i12.ebayimg.com/01/i/02/ba/22/39_1_b.JPG

[tim]

wonder why you need two serial ports? or is that just an artistic touch...

[myles]

The carsoft software uses to 2 serial ports if I remember correctly.

[Derek A.]

Here are the specs for carsoft:
Minimum Specs. for PC/Laptop:

Pentium 155mhz., 32 MB RAM, 8x CD Rom Drive, 600X800 Screen res. and a 9 pin SERIAL PORT

Windows® 95/98/ME/2000/XP

[Robin-535im]

Here are the specs for carsoft:
Minimum Specs. for PC/Laptop:

Pentium 155mhz., 32 MB RAM, 8x CD Rom Drive, 600X800 Screen res. and a 9 pin SERIAL PORT

Windows® 95/98/ME/2000/XP

[shogun]

you need 2 comports. I just bought one from Germany.
The unit fits for carsoft 3.2 and 3.4. (that is what's on the CD)
For 1 comport one needs carsoft 5.xx

[shogun]

http://i19.ebayimg.com/02/i/02/85/41/63_12_s.JPG

with COM1 + COM2 including interface for 20-pole BMW-Diagnose-box.

Fits on E23, E30, E31, E32, E34, E36, E38, E39

[liquidtiger720]

is it any good?

[shogun]

Works, no problem. But it is difficult nowadays to get a laptop with 2 comports.

[DanH]

You can add another comport easily to any newer laptop with something like this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dllViewItem&category=48672&item=5738513260&rd=1

[DanH]

Sorry bad link, try this one:

USB To RS232 Serial Adapter:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000086TKS/ref=pd_sbs_e_2/103-4999444-9511806?v=glance&s=electronics

[shogun]

Tks, didn't know that. Will try to get that adapter in Japan for my laptop, because the one I am using now is a Siemens PG 740 programmer which is quite bulky and heavy.

[Dan-ny-m398]

I bought the software from the same guy a while , I can tell you that the only problem with it it's that it dosen't come with instructions and you have to play around with it a lot, also a lot of the software it's in german, but that's most of the VW and Audi stuff, anyways the seller it's pretty fast with the shipping, but don't waste your time trying to get instuctions from him, he doesn't speak any English.

[Derek A.]

Is it all Dos based ? Does it do a lot ? If you bought software where did you get the cable ?

[Steven G]

A couple of months ago I got one of these from Europe with CarSoft software 3.4 with one port. I tried to reset the airbag light in my E36 but I can't get it to work. Now I've parked the car for the winter. If anyone has the same setup as mine and has gotten it to work, let me know. Haven't tried it on my E34 yet. Thanks.
Steven G.

[shogun]

It looks like this one might work on carsoft 5.xx
But I am not sure, as I have not seen the one in your pic before. When I bought my one with the 2 connector ports with carsoft 3.4, I contacted the seller if also carsoft 5.xx would work, but he told me that the interface with the 2 ports is layed out and works only on 3.2 or 3.4 and that 5.xx works with 1 port.
But if that is correct, I do not know.
From where did you buy that one? Germany or U.K. ?

[Kalevera]

What's the functionality of this thing?!

I assume it does complete diagnostics, but it's hard to tell from what the guy's ad says.

I wonder if it will reprogram my trans computer for me?! Find the gremlin in my electrical system causing my EML to ALWAYS be on?!

LOWELL

[shogun]

that is the trick. The software is declared in the offer for trial only (you know why).
You need a PC or Laptop with DOS, min. 386 processor with 33 Mhz, and a standard harddisk is more than enough. But you need 2 serial comports!
See the comments abv that one can buy on the net something to add to a normal laptop. Have not tried that before. I have a Siemens PG 740 programmer laptop (professional tool for engineers) for that which I got 2nd hand at reasonable price.
I bought the one with the modified cap of the original 20 pin diagnosis box in the engine room. So I cannot mess up with the connection of the pins. Some other offer only at that end the wires to connect to each pin (I my opinion easy to miss and damage the electronics).
This one is presently on offer in Germany. Brief translation what you can do with it:
includes 2 light diodes, 1 x red = sending, 1 x green = receiving, red+green = software controlled reset (claims that it is only possible with his set-up?),
fault code readings for engine, motor control, dashboard, airbag, ABS/ASC,board computer, central chassis electronics (eletr. windows, sunroof, stepper motor, auto locking system etc) with function control, service interval reset.

That means with this one you can do much more than with the PEAKE, as the P. is only good for engine/emission related things.

Note: as mentioned earlier, some of the stuff on the CD is German language. I have no problem with that, but it might be a bit more difficult for someone w/o any German language knowledge. For that maybe you try the U.K. ebay, but not sure if they offer it there.

click here to the offer (http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=30921&item=7941752586&rd=1&ssPageName=WD4V)

[shogun]

it's just a diagnostic tool to find the probs.
If your EML lights is on, it will probably show some info on what is wrong. Also for the gear.
It's basically the same function as the diagnosis done in a repair shop.

As for your prob's, have you ever tried the reset procedure?
Maybe you try that one.
Since I have mentioned that method on roadfly and on the E32 U.K. register, a lot of people have tried it and were quite happy.

Procedure is on my site,

or use this direct link (http://www.thee32register.co.uk/cgi-bin/forum/topic_show.pl?tid=9572)