Oscar4x4

Never had a car that needed plugged into before, so forgive my naivity.
Always done my own servicing and rebuilds on bikes and cars.
Intend to do same with this one.

Tried searching for a link but my ignorance of this type of techy stuff means I still don't know even what to ask.

Can work a computer(just) and resent having to for out for dealer priced servicing. Most comfortable with a torque wrench tho'.

What do I need that will offer best value over the long term?

ap0gee

Do a search on here and/or Google for VAG-COM.

(Stop s******ing at the back! )

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Oscar4x4

Do I become assimilated by the Borg?

ap0gee

Only if you forget where the 'off' button is!

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Gizmo68

No you don't NEED one, but they can be really useful at times.
Have a look at the vag-com owners map there should be someone local to you, this is a list of people on here that have Vag-Com and are willing to help others out.

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Superb driver

ScoobyChris

They are useful for you to know if your dealer/garage is trying it on (not that they ever would, of course ), but remember that you ideally need a laptop to use VAG-COM, which can push the price up.

As Gizmo says, it might be more economical to invest in some beer tokens and find a local tame VAG-COMer

Chris

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Holding up the traffic in a little Italian..........

WW_VRS

I'm in Abingdon, work in Bracknell, and I tend to have the cable with my laptop 'in the bag' mostly

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WW --->> Project Journal (pic links in first post there)
Lummox'/Ross thread on Unit18 Automotive progress on my car: here

edwardob

you won't realise how useful it is till you need one!
the dreaded light came one day..and i had a choice...go to the dealer or get the wrenches out.
only thing is i did'nt know what was wrong?what did warning light mean?
i bought cheapo ebay version and got it working....hey presto the two glow plugs where gone and temp sender was dodgy.......two weeks later reversing sensor not working....the bell chime was earthing....yes vag com is useful....new set plugs and temp sender..plus bell chime...all for less 70 euro..plus my own wrench work.....how much would that cost in dealer.???........
..i have original vag com now..since ebay version does'nt really do a thorough job...
even if you bought a cheapo laptop[second hand] and you plan to keep car it's worth it.
i'll be shoot for saying this but try ebay version..[less than 30 euro]...once you get taste you'll want more.....and probably by original!

there's an idea for vag com guys listening...why don't you sell cheapo version as a taster....instead of those ebayers taking your dineros

bearthebruce

Why do you think the shareware versions are available on our website? We don't object to the legal and real aftermarket inexpensive cables.

We object to the ones that steal our dongle style product - those are outright rip offs and theft of our work. They are illegal.

There are known issues with the quality of the aftermarket cables provided on ebay. Would you buy a "cheap" cable from Ross-Tech? We doubt it. The majority would buy the lowest priced product and we frankly do not want to compete at that quality level.

Make sense?

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-Bruce-
Ross-Tech, LLC
bruce@Ross-Tech.com

edwardob

i'm` only speaking as a joe bloggs whose interested in fixing his car....vag com is very useful product..no mistake....

i was only winding you guys up a bit......
after all i'm a customer anyway

ultra_joel88

my mate over in hereford has a golf mk4.

he got a cheap vag com off ebay and wishes he'd bought the real thing!!

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'04 Fabia VRS - P-Torque STG1, 312mm Brakes, Whiteline RARB, SEAT Sport Strut Brace, Pipercross Panel Filter & PD160 Intake, Pioneer and Infinity ICE, Custom exhaust system w/ de-cat, CCV Bypass w/ Catch Can, Swoosh Gauges, Window Tints

ScoobyChris

You might not want to advertise that fact, mate

Chris

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Holding up the traffic in a little Italian..........

fordfan

A diagnostic tool will not always tell you what is wrong, what it will give you are the symptoms of the cause of the fault. This is where Ross Tech come into their own, as they don't just put the cables together they develop the software which gives them (in my opinion) an unrivalled knowledge of VW vehicle sytems. With a genuine dongle cable or the registered software you get access to this. In the scheme of things the £400 or so for a cable and lap top will be more than saved in years to come - if you plan on running VW vehicles, if you don't, there is still the OBDII functionality for compatible non VW vehicles. A HEX + CAN USB cable will be future proof and is backwards compatible with K line diagnostics.

edwardob

once we go to modern cars..i'm afraid we're stuck with electronics.for the most part we're replacing broken bits....and not fixing them like old days...with blood and sweat...........
so a tool like vag com becomes part of your tool kit
does not a good set quality tools not also cost a lot of money.
as for working a computer well that's another thing!!!!
although if you can use a mobile phone's software............the baics in vag com will be easy...all you have to do is turn computer on..and click on your vag software and your away......with a small learning curve[at least for the basics]

i'd say to Oscar4x4 to go for it...you'll find it a big plus to your normal servicing and fixing......saving a few bob along the way..long term

WW_VRS

I paid for the full job a couple of years ago, straight from the ross-tech site, no discount at the time. I have saved the money back already.

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WW --->> Project Journal (pic links in first post there)
Lummox'/Ross thread on Unit18 Automotive progress on my car: here

Oscar4x4

Thanks chaps...I'm almost convinced. Do we get a Ross Tech discount? Or are they just a front for the Borg? I have an old pc running windowsXP- i can put in the garage- would that be ok instead of a lapdancer, sorry, that was last night, laptop?

edwardob

windows xp is fine....a pc should do....the only thing is you might need a longer usb cable to reach your car...or put it on a trolly.....
it is possible to buy longer cable or usb hub anyway....although ross tech i think have one with longer cable...which is more expensive i think

if your experimenting with ebay version ..you'll need to buy longer cable or hub

ScoobyChris

If you're looking to use the free older version of VAG-COM and you're PC is sufficiently old, you'd be better off with a serial cable, IMHE. They're also cheaper to make if you're that way inclined.

Chris

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Holding up the traffic in a little Italian..........

RichB86

how much is just the cable from ross tech to cover a mk1 vrs? (confussled with all the cables there are)

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Must Go Faster

fordfan

This will do the MKI:

Ross-Tech: KEY-USB Interface

Russ

Hi folks,

New poster but long time lurker.

Just how easy are these to use / understand?
I've fiddled with cars for years and I'm very competent with the old PC's. It's just that reading through various posts about codes etc. on VAG.com, I find myself not having a clue what you're on about.

I have an 03 Octavia tdi and an 00 Mk4 Golf so I'd like something compatible with both, plus my Bro has a Fabia Vrs. I'd like to be able to reset the service light (long life) on the Skoda, plus programme the locks and generally have a fiddle about.

I'm happy to buy the genuine article, though I'm not sure if it's overkill for what I need, maybe an eBay jobby would suffice.

What do you guys recommend? I've got a laptop and I'm not too bothered about the cost, as long as I'm not being robbed.

More concerned about having to learn a whole new language.

Cheers Guys.

Gizmo68

Welcome Russ,

as you are already pretty PC competent you should have no problem getting to grips with Vag-Com.
I personally bought a genuine Ross Tech lead (Hex + Can) which was more than i needed (re better than required) as to make it as future proof as possible.
You cant really do any damage with playing with the various settings (providing you write the old code down before changing it, so if it does go tit's up you can always revert back to std).
Most of the fault codes are on Ross Tech's website, but if all else fails there customer support is second to none - another reason to buy the genuine article.

With the pound still so strong against the dollar the cheapest way is probably direct through Ross Tech, just don't forget to include the governments cut in to total price!
One problem with some eBay cables is they are very limited to what they will do, so there use can be very limited.

If you intend to stick around the VAG cars for a whilst, then the cable will soon pay for itself anyway (just as your local dealer how much they want to run a diagnostic check!)

HTH

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Superb driver

JohnRS

I've been looking into getting a Ross-Tech lead, it depends on which package you want. If you want the HEX+CAN Interface then order from Ross Tech, $350 or £180 plus deliver & customs. If you want Professional Kit - USB Interface its $600 or £300 plus shipping etc. From gendan the HEX+CAN Interface is £260 all in but the pro kit (or they call it the power bundle) is £299 all in. As far as i can see you get the same components as the pro kit from ross tech and would work out cheaper.

Uwe@Ross-Tech

Pro-Kits are overkill for most individuals. They are aimed at shops, many of which won't buy a tool unless it comes in a case, who don't want to have to download the software, who want a pretty printed manual, and so on. It's basically a no-brainer way of buying everything one could possibly need in one single package at a price most shops still think is too good to be true.

For individuals, we recommend buying what they need a-la-carte to save money.

-Uwe-