Scan tool recommendations for R56 with N12

275 Views 7 Replies 4 Participants Last post by mike1967, 4 d ago

BeltNbraces

Discussion Starter · 7 d ago

Any suggestions for a competitively priced scan tool for a Mini One R56 1.4 (N12) engine?

Don't have any issues specifically, just want to have something in the toolbox for when I do

TIA

J

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1 - 8 of 8 Posts

It all depends on what you think you want to achieve. What would be your best estimate of a budget??

Standard ones with a decent screen for reading live data, up to £200

If you want to start with setting adaptions and bi-directional controls something from £600 plus - I use a Launch X431 Diagun V and am pleased with it - I can code and programme modules with that too.

Full snort stuff is north of £1k

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BeltNbraces

Discussion Starter · #3 · 6 d ago

Hi Bigphil, thanks for responding.

Just taken delivery of my R56 1.4 this morning and the EML light is on, suspected timing chain issues (knew this when I bought it). It's an old '07 car just bought as a project. Not wanting to spend as much on the software / tool as I did for the car!

Something basic that will read fault codes, fuel trims and ideally live data that would be useful for diagnosing timing/vanos issues as they seem quite common.

Depending how the repair goes I may sell on and buy something a few years younger, in the Gen3 range so something capable of that would be nice but not a must.

I have a few USB OBD cables from previous vehicles, no idea if there's software that would be compatable with those but more than happy to use laptop and a USB cable if more cost effective. Don't need something expensive that's designed for hard use in a commercial workshop environment.

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Bigphil555

· #4 · 6 d ago

A basic £50 scanner will read generic OBD codes. If you have a TC issue, it will be something like P0011 or P0012 code. Even the cheap scanners can clear the codes, however you would need more expensive stuff to reset the adaptions on the variable valve timing motor and the vanos adaptions.

If you live in teh south west, our engine guru @mike1967 will be able to help you

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Double Espresso

· #5 · 6 d ago

I bought the Ancel BM500 at about £60 from eBay. It can interrogate all modules and clear faults, and read live data. It can also act as a standard OBD-II reader on non-BMW vehicles.

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mike1967

· #6 · 6 d ago

BeltNbraces said:
Hi Bigphil, thanks for responding.

Just taken delivery of my R56 1.4 this morning and the EML light is on, suspected timing chain issues (knew this when I bought it). It's an old '07 car just bought as a project. Not wanting to spend as much on the software / tool as I did for the car!

Something basic that will read fault codes, fuel trims and ideally live data that would be useful for diagnosing timing/vanos issues as they seem quite common.

Depending how the repair goes I may sell on and buy something a few years younger, in the Gen3 range so something capable of that would be nice but not a must.

I have a few USB OBD cables from previous vehicles, no idea if there's software that would be compatable with those but more than happy to use laptop and a USB cable if more cost effective. Don't need something expensive that's designed for hard use in a commercial workshop environment.

if you go on aliexpress you can get autocom cdp plus really good tool for money i got one use the hell out of it , will see all codes will work on all ecus , will reset adaptions on n14 engines not on n12 will on n16, I use a snap on Zeus for all the stuff autocom wont do as such,, for the money that autocom is really useful tool and live data on it is bang on and my go to tool for live data stuff,

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BeltNbraces

Discussion Starter · #7 · 4 d ago (Edited)

mike1967 said:
if you go on aliexpress you can get autocom cdp plus really good tool for money

Thanks Mike, have ordered an Ancel BM700 to get me going tomorrow and an Autocom kit from Aliexpress for long term use.

J

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mike1967

· #8 · 4 d ago

that autocom on stuff it works on its really good very deep level , got one my self and find it very useful , i'm going to order a top end autel sometime this year been promising myself one for a while , its just the £4k and year subscription's,

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