Recommended OBD Code Reader

mac-z4 · 01-10-2019, 04:17 PM

Looking for recommendations on a basic and reasonably priced OBD code reader for a 2011 Z4. Primary use would be for the following:
+ Read fault codes triggering the check engine light
+ Erasing the codes and turning off the CEL
+ Performing battery registration
+ Disabling and resetting the electronic rear brake motors to replace pads and discs.
Modifying performance coding is not a requirement and may even be a detriment considering my very limited technical knowledge with electronic gadgets including smart phone apps.
Thanks in advance for the info.

jparnes1 · 01-10-2019, 06:40 PM

I would normally advise Carly, but it doesn't release the e brake on our cars. Otherwise it's a great unit. I bought a Foxwell 510 which may be a lot more scanner than you want, but will do everything you ask for in your list, plus lots of other stuff. If you do your own brake fluid flush, it will activate the abs so you can flush 100% of the fluid, code your new fuel injectors, the list goes on...

Tangent · 01-11-2019, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jparnes1

I would normally advise Carly, but it doesn't release the e brake on our cars.

An update a few months ago added that functionality. Or have you tried it and it didn't work?

jparnes1 · 01-11-2019, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tangent

Quote:

Originally Posted by jparnes1

I would normally advise Carly, but it doesn't release the e brake on our cars.

An update a few months ago added that functionality. Or have you tried it and it didn't work?

No I tried back in June. But I'd try it to confirm. Sometimes it's in the app but doesn't work on certain models.

DavesZed · 01-12-2019, 08:23 AM

Re- Carly...
I tried my e-brake release in August following an update to Carly and it wouldn't do it.

mac-z4 · 01-16-2019, 02:58 PM

Thanks Jparnes1 for your insights. Looks like Carly is the way to go. Hopefully in the near future Carly will add the app for electronic parking brake release. Question: Are there separate costs for each of the apps you download? Or does the added app cost only apply to the battery registration?

CarAbuser · 01-20-2019, 05:58 AM

I personally wouldn't bother with Carly. It's quite limited and very expensive.

You have to pay for the app (which is now a yearly subscription) to begin with, then pay again to use any of the functions. Then they also force you to buy their own adapter.

I would contact BimmerGeeks and ask if Pro Tool does what you need:
https://www.bimmergeeksprotool.com/

Pro Tool is the next best thing to using the full BMW suite of software.

jparnes1 · 01-22-2019, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mac-z4

Thanks Jparnes1 for your insights. Looks like Carly is the way to go. Hopefully in the near future Carly will add the app for electronic parking brake release. Question: Are there separate costs for each of the apps you download? Or does the added app cost only apply to the battery registration?

Last year Carly changed their business model. All apps are free and included with purchase of the system. However, there's an annual fee of $75. Older users were grandfathered in without the annual fee.
If you want to code your car without getting involved with ISTA, Carly offers the most versatility. Bimmercode is good too but only works with recent models and offers fewer coding options and isn't a code reader. Carly goes all the way back to the 1990s.

jpwolfe31 · 01-31-2019, 05:56 PM

I just bought the Schwaben tool which I really like. Used it to register a new battery.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-schwaben...020sch01a~scf/

Squddie · 02-02-2019, 09:11 AM

Carly pushed an update which transitions to a new Android app.

The new app does support the parking brake release.

I have the Carly app and I use it over blutooth with their adapter. Works. But is always ultra slow and you need to go back and forth connecting etc. I don't think there is any competition for pre-F cars, though.

I believe it still lacks some features, e.g. turning activeSound off (but you can pull a fuse).

01-10-2019, 04:17 PM	#1
mac-z4 Private 8 Rep 66 Posts Drives: 2011 Z4 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Pittsburgh, PA iTrader: (0)	Recommended OBD Code Reader Looking for recommendations on a basic and reasonably priced OBD code reader for a 2011 Z4. Primary use would be for the following: + Read fault codes triggering the check engine light + Erasing the codes and turning off the CEL + Performing battery registration + Disabling and resetting the electronic rear brake motors to replace pads and discs. Modifying performance coding is not a requirement and may even be a detriment considering my very limited technical knowledge with electronic gadgets including smart phone apps. Thanks in advance for the info.
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01-10-2019, 06:40 PM	#2
jparnes1 Colonel 242 Rep 2,387 Posts Drives: 2016 340i, 2012 Z4 35i Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: NY iTrader: (1)	I would normally advise Carly, but it doesn't release the e brake on our cars. Otherwise it's a great unit. I bought a Foxwell 510 which may be a lot more scanner than you want, but will do everything you ask for in your list, plus lots of other stuff. If you do your own brake fluid flush, it will activate the abs so you can flush 100% of the fluid, code your new fuel injectors, the list goes on... __________________ 2016 340i XDrive, EBII/black, 6 MT, M Sport, Track Handling, Cold Weather, Tech, Lighting, Driver Assistance Plus. 2012 Z4 35i, ED 2/24/2012, Melbourne Red Metallic, Black Leather, Carbon Trim, 6MT, M Sport, CW, PP, PS, NAV, CA.
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01-12-2019, 08:23 AM	#5
DavesZed Lieutenant 144 Rep 509 Posts Drives: BMW E89 23i, 2011 Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Grantham, UK iTrader: (0)	Re- Carly... I tried my e-brake release in August following an update to Carly and it wouldn't do it. __________________ Dave 2011, E89 23i, Grey with Red leather.... relatively basic (getting less and less basic with every new retrofit)! My Z4 E89 YouTube channel... https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtt...0vHFUQnoEvKB2Q
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01-16-2019, 02:58 PM	#6
mac-z4 Private 8 Rep 66 Posts Drives: 2011 Z4 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Pittsburgh, PA iTrader: (0)	Thanks Jparnes1 for your insights. Looks like Carly is the way to go. Hopefully in the near future Carly will add the app for electronic parking brake release. Question: Are there separate costs for each of the apps you download? Or does the added app cost only apply to the battery registration?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-20-2019, 05:58 AM	#7
CarAbuser Lieutenant Colonel 468 Rep 1,535 Posts Drives: Z4 35i DCT / E92 335i DCT Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: United Kingdom iTrader: (0)	I personally wouldn't bother with Carly. It's quite limited and very expensive. You have to pay for the app (which is now a yearly subscription) to begin with, then pay again to use any of the functions. Then they also force you to buy their own adapter. I would contact BimmerGeeks and ask if Pro Tool does what you need: https://www.bimmergeeksprotool.com/ Pro Tool is the next best thing to using the full BMW suite of software.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-31-2019, 05:56 PM	#9
jpwolfe31 Private 7 Rep 60 Posts Drives: 2009 Z4 35i Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: San Francisco Bay Area iTrader: (0)	I just bought the Schwaben tool which I really like. Used it to register a new battery. https://www.ecstuning.com/b-schwaben...020sch01a~scf/
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-02-2019, 09:11 AM	#10
Squddie Second Lieutenant 39 Rep 290 Posts Drives: E89 Z4 Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Bahston iTrader: (0)	Carly pushed an update which transitions to a new Android app. The new app does support the parking brake release. I have the Carly app and I use it over blutooth with their adapter. Works. But is always ultra slow and you need to go back and forth connecting etc. I don't think there is any competition for pre-F cars, though. I believe it still lacks some features, e.g. turning activeSound off (but you can pull a fuse).
	Appreciate 0 Quote