ZPOST
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Go Back   ZPOST > BMW Z4 Technical Talk > Navigation, Audio, Bluetooth, Stereo, Electronics Talk
  TireRack

SUPPORT ZPOST BY DOING YOUR TIRERACK SHOPPING FROM THIS BANNER, THANKS!
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      07-19-2014, 05:59 PM   #1
MakSmack
New Member
1
Rep
9
Posts

Drives: 2007 BMW Z4 M Roadster
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Canada

iTrader: (0)

Diagnostic Cable Information

Good day gentlemen,

I have a fairly specific question that I wasn't able to answer by searching threads.

I want to buy a diagnostic cable for my car, but I'm a little worried about the date of production disclaimer on most of the cables I'm seeing. They mention that cars produced after March 2007 may not be compatible.

My 2007 M roadster has a production date of August 2007, when I look it up on RealOEM.com. Does anyone know for sure that the standard/common BMW cable that you see every where, such as...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-USB-OBD-..._Tools&vxp=mtr

...will work with my car, since it's post March 2007?

Also, I've also noticed cables on eBay that mention they are compatible with:
1) Fast magistral D-CAN and PT-CAN (500 kbit/s)
2) Slow magistral K-CAN (100 kbit/s)

Which apparently makes it compatible with later models because of the fast D-CAN standard. I have no clue, or way of being sure.

Can anyone shed some light on this?

Thank you very much.
Appreciate 0
      07-20-2014, 12:14 AM   #2
StickMon
My other car is on Mars
StickMon's Avatar
United_States
635
Rep
3,124
Posts

Drives: 2006 MR
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Lo-Cal

iTrader: (1)

This has come up before, and you're right, to my knowledge it hasn't been answered.
I did some research on the 3-series forum, and "some say" you should get the K+DCAN.
I think this (or similar) has you covered either way.
It's pricier than non-canbus. There are some listed cheaper, but it looks like they only come with INPA.
You want to make sure you get DIS and SSS (Progman), and probably NCS.
__________________
Warning: May contain traces of nuts.
Appreciate 0
      07-20-2014, 07:54 AM   #3
MakSmack
New Member
1
Rep
9
Posts

Drives: 2007 BMW Z4 M Roadster
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Canada

iTrader: (0)

Is there anywhere this software is available for a free download? Or does it require serial numbers or activation?
Appreciate 0
      07-20-2014, 12:47 PM   #4
donoman
Rookie
31
Rep
379
Posts

Drives: 03 Z4 2.5i 5MT
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Santa Clara, CA

iTrader: (1)

I wrote a post about recoding the sound system from E86 (coupe) to E85 (roadster) values. In there, I remember suggesting where you can get the s/w.
__________________
2003 Z4 2.5i
2013 FR-S
1990 911 C2
1983 Wife
Appreciate 0
      07-20-2014, 12:49 PM   #5
donoman
Rookie
31
Rep
379
Posts

Drives: 03 Z4 2.5i 5MT
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Santa Clara, CA

iTrader: (1)

Oops, I just checked that post and didn't elaborate how to get the files other than to search Google. http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=982412

I suggest not installing the file on your primary computer without a virtualized installation ... these things can be riddled with viruses.
__________________
2003 Z4 2.5i
2013 FR-S
1990 911 C2
1983 Wife
Appreciate 0
      07-21-2014, 07:49 AM   #6
MakSmack
New Member
1
Rep
9
Posts

Drives: 2007 BMW Z4 M Roadster
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Canada

iTrader: (0)

Thanks, I'm sure this link will come in handy when I'm trying to get everything working.
Appreciate 0
      07-22-2014, 09:47 AM   #7
MakSmack
New Member
1
Rep
9
Posts

Drives: 2007 BMW Z4 M Roadster
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Canada

iTrader: (0)

Have you ever heard of someone "bricking" their Z4 trying to fool around with these tools?
Appreciate 0
      07-22-2014, 11:48 PM   #8
StickMon
My other car is on Mars
StickMon's Avatar
United_States
635
Rep
3,124
Posts

Drives: 2006 MR
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Lo-Cal

iTrader: (1)

Only if you try to flash the DME. I think that program is called WinFPK. I stay away from it.
INPA and DIS are perfectly safe and great for diagnostics.
SSS/Progman is safe and good for setting simple things that the dealer would charge you up the butt for.
NCS is a bit of a faff, and I imagine you could screw something up, but I've never heard of anybody reporting that they did.
I haven't tried NCS yet, but I might when my halo LEDs arrive.
Haven't decided if I want to fart with it or just stick some resistors across them.
Have many resistors.
__________________
Warning: May contain traces of nuts.
Appreciate 0
      07-23-2014, 07:59 AM   #9
MakSmack
New Member
1
Rep
9
Posts

Drives: 2007 BMW Z4 M Roadster
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Canada

iTrader: (0)

Well my first and most important order of business will be to disable the seat belt chime. I also imagine that I'll probably need this to reset the oil change indicator.

So it sounds like I won't be harming anything by fooling with those settings.

I'm glad to hear that flashing the DME is not required for these procedures.
Appreciate 0
      07-23-2014, 08:45 AM   #10
elerner61
Major
elerner61's Avatar
154
Rep
1,106
Posts

Drives: '07 Z4M Roadster
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Mount Kisco, NY

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by MakSmack View Post
Well my first and most important order of business will be to disable the seat belt chime. I also imagine that I'll probably need this to reset the oil change indicator.

So it sounds like I won't be harming anything by fooling with those settings.

I'm glad to hear that flashing the DME is not required for these procedures.
No need for a tool/software to reset the oil change indicator. Go here
Appreciate 0
      07-23-2014, 07:21 PM   #11
MakSmack
New Member
1
Rep
9
Posts

Drives: 2007 BMW Z4 M Roadster
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Canada

iTrader: (0)

Thanks.

I figured there had to be some other way to reset the indicator without hooking up a diagnostic tool...every other car on the planet can do it.

I just read through that thread...they were talking about 15,000 miles between oil changes...what!?...that's forever.
Appreciate 0
      07-24-2014, 12:13 AM   #12
StickMon
My other car is on Mars
StickMon's Avatar
United_States
635
Rep
3,124
Posts

Drives: 2006 MR
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Lo-Cal

iTrader: (1)

Pretty much everybody changes it at the 1/2 way point.
Every 7500 miles, unless it's a garage queen, then once per year.
But only reset the indicator when it goes negative.
And it's good insurance for the ///M to send a sample to Blackstone Labs for an analysis, and watch for high lead, indicating rod bearing wear.
__________________
Warning: May contain traces of nuts.
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:10 AM.




zpost
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST