Which Is The Best OBD Scanner For BMW Cars?
Have you got any kind of problems with your luxurious BMW car and you can’t pinpoint the exact source of the problem? What you need is a BMW scan tool. This device comes in really handy helping you zero in on the problem without having to break down your entire engine looking for the problem.
This article is filled with a ton of details that will really help BMW owners. The scan tools mentioned in this review can be used by drivers who prefer to fix their engine issues on their own and the tools are also used by a number of mechanics all over the world.
BMW cars have always maintained a smooth, elegant and iconic style. The BMW cars are also very reliable on the road, and owning such a ride is a real source of pride. BMW vehicles are one of the most powerful driving machines in the world. Unfortunately, even the most ideal machines are susceptible to mechanical breakdowns.
As time continues to fly, or as you continue to frequently drive your BMW car, the vehicle is vulnerable to harmful factors and effects from the surrounding environment. Different weather and climatic conditions can affect the condition of your car.
For example, road salt can affect and corrode the undercarriage of your vehicle. Really high temperatures can also affect your vehicle’s electric parts. If you want to examine the condition of your beloved BMW, then you need to consider using an OBD2 scanner.
If you just purchased a BMW, then you must take some time to pay attention to the general state of the entire machine. Check engine lights on a vehicle is not a unique problem, however, when that happens, the vehicle often requires the care and attention of the dealership. This means that you will have to spend a large amount of money trying to get the problem fixed.
As we all know, German cars have a really classy and elegant design. That is why a lot of these cars are not so cheap. The cabin of the vehicle is made with high-end materials.
The driving position is really great and the car provides its passengers with a really smooth and comfortable ride. However, these expensive models are quite expensive when it comes to dealing with repairs. When there’s a glitch in your car system, you should definitely expect a large repair bill.
The good news is that the industry has developed tools that will allow drivers to save money when it comes to dealing with repairs. BMW car owners are always advised to invest some money into purchasing an OBD2 scanner. An OBD2 scanner is great as its job is to scan and read all of the details that the engine of your car presents.
After that, the OBD2 scanner diagnoses the problem and also erases the error codes that have created the problem. Keep in mind that BMW vehicles are just like computers that are attached to wheels. That means that every area of your vehicle is heavily monitored with a CPU. This makes it a lot harder to fix the problem.
Mechanics, dealers and other professionals always use an OBD2 scanner to fix the problem. In this review, we review the most ideal OBD2 scanners in today’s market.
We also take some time to break down the features of the scanner and highlight the advantages of the scanner. This review will allow consumers to find out exactly what should be expected from the OBD-II device.
We also revise a couple of factors that consumers should consider when purchasing an OBD2 scanner. If you are out in the market browsing through different OBD-II scanners for your engine, this review will really help to guide you.
The Blue Driver Pro Tool
The BlueDriver Pro ODB2 bluetooth scanner has a very unique look and feel. To start with this scanner does not come with any interface. Instead, this device simply reveals all of the diagnostics and findings.
The scanner acts as a crossing point between your car and your digital device. This scanner is designed like a small box. Once it is plugged into your engine, the scanner will reveal LEDs that will show guide you and let you know if you have properly connected the scanner.
Once connected to your car, you can use the Bluetooth device. The Bluetooth allows you to download an app to connect to the scanner, helping you diagnose the vehicle’s problem. The data collected is then made available to you and you can read this data whenever you want to.
This is a really advantageous feature because you are not forced to schedule all of your diagnostics checks. It does not matter where you are or what you are doing, you can quickly run your diagnostic checks with the help of this scanner.
This scanner tool prioritizes functionality other than display. The display of this app is not so great. It is not color-coded or fancy in any kind of way. It was made specifically for those who would prefer functionality over design.
The BlueDriver tool provides you with an extensive coding spectrum allowing you to design and customize all of the electronics in your car’s interior. This gives you the capability to change the code of many different things in your BMW.
Key Features
- To understand the problem with your vehicle you need the complete picture. With an up-to-date modern scan tool, you scan deeper to read, understand, and clear more codes. Access information normally only available to professional mechanics on their most expensive scan tools.
- Get unlimited vehicle specific Repair Reports, generated from our database of millions of fixes verified by Professional Automotive Technicians. Save time and money.
- All the capabilities of an expensive scan tool (extended vehicle coverage, live data, etc.) combined with the power and convenience of your smartphone or tablet. No cords, no subscriptions, and regular free updates.
- View live data and monitor your vehicle’s health in real time. Configure the data sources, customize your view with various displays and colours, and log and export live data as a file.
- BlueDriver is proudly American owned and is the OBD2 Diagnostic Scan Tool trusted by professional mechanics and developed and supported by Professional Engineers.
Pros
- It works very quickly
- It is not complicated. It is very easy to use
- It is not an expensive commodity allowing you to save money.
Cons
- You must be subscribed to be able to use the app and access data
- The customer service is not so great
- You may face a few problems with updating the system
View Price On Amazon
The Autel Maxidas DS808
ThE Autel MaxiDas scanner is actually the modern type of the Autel MaxiDas DS708 scanner. This scanner also offers a lot of functions and capabilities to boost scanners performance. The scanner is also inclusive of new specs and features that were not in the older models.
The Autel MaxiDAS scanner boasts of having such impressive features and vehicle coverage, which means that not only can it be used on a BMW model, you can also use the scanner on over 80 vehicles located in Europe, United States and also Asia. The scanner can work on cars that have been designed from 1996 to 2017. All electronic systems of the vehicle are covered using the OE level system.
With this scanner, you will be able to use the ECU (Electronic Control Unit) of a ton of car control systems. The engine system, as well as the transmission, airbag and the brake system all, fall under some of the mechanisms that are covered by this device.
The scanner is great at locating the sections in your engine that are causing problems. The scanner also clears the error codes in your engine quite easily and it also takes care of the active tests. The tests are usually quite advanced as they allow you to test a number of output elements instead of having to rely on the status of the ignition.
With this scanner, you can easily access the system of a vehicle. This will also enable you to recover information on the service that has been scheduled or the required maintenance service that the car will require. Another great advantage is that this scanner only weighs 2 lbs. This means that it is quite light. It is also very portable which means that handling it is also very easy.
Key Features
- The scanner comes inclusive with its own tablet
- With this scanner, you can check on the performance and power of your car even as your vehicle runs.
- The scanner is provided with an online update of 1-year
Pros
- The tablet comes with a number of apps
- The scanner is very easy to use
- The scanner supports live scanning meaning the data can be recorded in real-time
Cons
- The processor on this tablet is not so reliable as compared to other mobile devices
- It could take some time to get the right codes for the model of your car
View price on Amazon
Foxwell NT510 Automotive Scanner for BMW
This scanner is actually quite small and it is so easy to carry it around from one point to the next. The screen size, however, is just the same as every other scanner. The screen occupies the space on half the scanner, while the other half of the scanner has a number of navigation buttons.
The scanner comes with a really short cable that also charges the unit once connected to the car. You can use this scanner on both OBD1 vehicles as well as OBD2 vehicles. The scanner provides you with very powerful and efficient diagnostics allowing you to quickly become aware of certain problems that you need to deal with.
The scanner is of high-quality giving you a great number of functions such as reviewing live data and also the ability to erase codes. Other functions include the ability of your scanner to program certain features in your vehicle, adapting the codes into your BMW as well as actuation.
You can also take control of the system tests. This is a unique function that is not performed by other scanners. You can also run the programming tasks that are found in the control modules.
This scanner is actually one of the most durable models on the market today. It is designed with rubber that covers the internal device allowing it to maintain an attractive look. The scanner is also protected with extra paddings on the corners and a screen protector that provides you with a barrier safeguarding your screen from scratches and abrasions.
Key Features
- It works well on classic older BMWs that were manufactured before 1996
- The scanner can inspect and monitor other car systems such as the brakes of your car, oil levels, and tire pressure
- The scanner can monitor the car’s system in real-time.
Pros
- It has a nice small design
- It can live-stream all the data collected which is so convenient
- The diagnostic tool performs well
Cons
- To get this scanner to work, you might have to download a software
- The scanner could have some trouble syncing to the vehicle’s onboard system
View price on Amazon
Factors That You Must Consider When Purchasing an OBD Scanner for your BMW
The market is filled with a ton of scan tools that have different features and are sold at different prices. If you own a BMW and you are trying to zero in on a scanner that can save your money as well as improve your car’s function, selecting the wrong kind of scan tool can turn into a bad investment choice.
You must ensure that you choose a scan tool that will give you the right insight to your vehicle’s problem. In this section, we have listed some of the major factors that you must look out for when choosing the best scanner for your car.
Select a Scanner That is Upgradable
OBD scanners must be able to be updated. This is to ensure that the scanner is compatible with new BMW models as well as the latest technology. It is important to buy a scanner that can easily be upgraded giving you the chance to use the scanner on a newer BMW model.
Ensure that you confirm that your scanner can be upgraded and take some time to learn how to update the scanner. Some updates require that the consumers pay a certain amount of money, so it is also important to confirm if you will be required to pay for an update.
A number of manufacturers offer users free updates which are so great and convenient. Cheaper scanners do not offer you an update option. If you want your scanner to serve you for very many years, you should consider investing in a more expensive scanning tool.
Updating your OBD scanner is very important as this ensures that your device will always function properly and it can work and fix problems found in modern cars that have the latest technology.
Choose a Scanner That has been Manufactured from a Reliable Brand
All scanning and diagnostic tools are designed differently with their own unique features. That is why choosing a high-end scanner from a reliable brand is advised.
There are a number of manufacturers that are famous for designing OBD scanners that are strong and durable, function well and are of very high-quality. Other manufacturers are known for designing scanners that are just not reliable.
Making the choice to invest in a scanner from a reputable brand shows that you are less likely to deal with problems that you could avoid.
There are a number of quality brands such as Actron, BlueDriver, Innova, Autel and Ancel. These brands are quite popular and are known to release high-quality tools with sturdy designs.
Choose a Scanner that is Easy to Use
A number of scanning tools come with a detailed manual that should guide you and help you work with the different functions and features, the software and the menu.
However, having a manual does not guarantee that the scanner will be easy to use. A lot of users still find it so difficult to use a scanner even after reading and following the instructions listed on the guide.
With that been said, it is important to purchase a scanner that has buttons that are neatly arranged. The scanner’s interface and software should also be easy to understand and read. The menu should be quite simple and compact and it is a great idea to choose a compact and portable scanner.
Before you finally buy your most preferred scanner it is advisable to do some research and read through different reviews to find out how easy it is to use the scanner that you have chosen.
The Price of Your Scanner
Most scanners on the market today are sold from $50 to a few thousand dollars. The price of each scanning tool varies, depending on certain features and functions. However, you do not have to spend too much money to get a high-quality scanner.
If you are buying a scanning tool for your garage, you should think about what you want to use the scanning tool for and you must also create a budget. $50 will get you a really nice high-quality scanner. The scanners listed in this review are also high-quality and you could check them out to find out if they fall under your budget.
The Features in The Scanner
There are many different types of scanners. Some scanners are of high-quality while others are quite basic. The features provided and the level of functionality will determine the kind of scanner that you will choose.
If you are working with a really tight budget, the basic scanners could be the better option for you. However, if you want a scanner that has so many more features and functions, you should choose a more advanced, high-end scanner.
More advanced scanners will provide you with the option of giving you live feed, on-screen information, printability, a lot of storage and data-logging.
The basic diagnostic tools give users the chance to read the “Check Engine” light as well as clear it. You can also perform an emission test with the scanner. The easiest way to go about this is by, taking note of all the features that you would like your scanning tool to have, and assess each scanning tool that you will consider to buy. In this way, you will get to choose a scanner that will suit your BMW.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is an OBD-II Scanner?
OBD-II is an abbreviation for the word Onboard Diagnostic II. The OBD2 uses a standardized order with computers. This order allows you to diagnose the problem that the car has and report it. The standard language lets mechanics and owners know what is wrong with the car.
When the monitor of your vehicle notices an error, the computer of the car automatically produces a code. Once the OBD-11 scanner is plugged into your vehicle the system dissects and reads this code, allowing you to find out what exactly is wrong with your car.
What Is the Difference Between a Scanner and A Basic Code Reader?
An OBD (On Board Diagnostic) scanner is a device used to read data from the vehicle's computer system. This data includes engine performance parameters such as speed, RPMs, fuel economy, emissions, etc. An OBD scanner plugs into the diagnostic port located under the steering wheel column. It reads the codes stored in the vehicle's computer system and displays them on the screen.
A basic code reader is a tool used to read the codes stored in the vehicles' computer systems. It plugs into the diagnostic port found under the steering wheel column and displays the codes on its LCD display.
Both of these tools have the same purpose. They are both meant to communicate with your vehicle’s computer reading the data and finding out the source of the problem. A scan tool, however, has additional features.
An OBD-II scanner can read data that is more advanced and it can also playback codes from an earlier time. The OBD-II scanner can also dissect and explain each and every code as well as handle diagnostic procedures.
The basic code readers are much cheaper and less advanced as they can only provide you with the basic features. Consumers are often advised to invest in a scan tool because it provides you with more features and options. OBD-II scanners are also not so much more expensive than basic code readers.
What Type of Obd Is My Vehicle?
If your car was manufactured in the U.S and the year of the model is 1996 or later, you should get an OBD2 scanner. An OBD2 scanner should also be used if your car has been imported from the year 2001 or later.
If your BMW is not in any one of these ranges, you should try and get a reader that is only specific to your BMW. The owner manual of your car will determine the best scanner that you should purchase.
Conclusion
Making use of any of the OBD-II scanners listed in this review will help you diagnose the problem with your BMW without having to disassemble your car’s engine tools and parts. This will also allow you to ensure that your car remains in great condition at all times.
We have gone through a number of OBD-II scanners and in our opinion, the FOXWELL NT510 for BMW is the best option. It is small in size and very convenient. It is great as you get the chance to diagnose the problem with your car and reset the engine lights. It is easy to use and also quite effective.
Plus you can use it on many other different types of cars to be able to make full use of the tool should you own more than one car, this tool will more than likely be able to scan that car too.
