VAG-COM query

Oxide™ · 23 Apr 2010 at 16:06

Hey guys can you please help my mate out...

He wants to know what the difference is between VAG-COM Diagnostic Devices bought from ebay and the more expensive ones?

loki101 · 23 Apr 2010 at 16:14

Vag com does a lot more and change make changes to system, where as the other may only read faults.

paradigm · 23 Apr 2010 at 16:16

Basically the cable is what comes with the license. If you want the full functionality of the software you buy the official cable, with a license.

The cheap cables can "physically" do everything the official cable can do, but without the license files, VAG-COM software disables some of its features.

stoofa · 23 Apr 2010 at 16:19

If you want to be able to use the device on vehicles with a CAN-BUS (which is what...anything 2001 onwards?) you'll want the official product.
It isn't cheap - but worth it.

You've just missed a Group Buy over at Briskoda for £195+vat.

Oxide™ · 23 Apr 2010 at 16:48

Thanks for the replies guys - he is much appreciative

Dr House · 23 Apr 2010 at 22:51

so what can this thing do?

Defcon5 · 24 Apr 2010 at 11:21

Dr House said:
so what can this thing do?

The official one can do pretty much anything that involves the ECU of the car.

Dandle · 24 Apr 2010 at 11:28

Defcon5 said:
The official one can do pretty much anything that involves the ECU of the car.

Thats not true it can change settings for things like door chimes, door locks, the way the lights work and do diagnostic checks/resets etc. It cannot write to the ECU though and only change settings in some control modules.

You can get a canbus enabled ebay lead which uses 704 software but personally I would only use the original Ross-tech lead. Its worth the cost and you know the quality of the interface and that it wont damage the car.