Best diagnostic tool?

[jimmy-s3]

Apart from Vagcom, can anyone recommend a decent quality diagnostic tool? Budgeting between £50-£100...

[OEM+ DUB]

I can only comment on VCDS myself as have had my set up for years!  Has been brilliant and well worth the money, saving me (and all my mates!) a load of money in that time.

It's amazing how many mates you get when you have a diagnostic system...

[ephemeross]

If you're willing to spend up to £100 you might as well save some more and get VCDS, it's a better investment in the long-run, and you're more likely to be able to recuperate some of the costs by doing diagnostics/tweaks for other people :D

[jimmy-s3]

I think your right... I should save up and get VCDS.. I only ever own VW's anyway!
The Pirelli I have now is my 5th MK5 Gti, before them it was a Mk4 R32 and an Audi S3... My next car will be a Mk6 Gti or another Mk5.

How much would I be looking to pay for VCDS?

[4ndy]

http://www.gendan.co.uk/   

[th3_f15t]

I got myself a Foxwell NT-500 VAG diagnostic tool, which as far as I've found so car, is just as good as VCDS but not as easy to use what with not being on a laptop. I'm still learning its full features but its around the £100 price and if you're not looking to code in equipment (although it is capable, just not as easy like I said) then I'd opt for that.

I have used VCDS briefly myself, and I'm not going to deny its the best and worth every penny, but the NT-500 does everything I need and earnt its cost in savings (from not renting VCDS from people) in the 1 year I've owned it already.

[jimmy-s3]

I was looking at the foxwell.. Might have another good look into it! Don't really want to spend £300 on the vagcom.

[th3_f15t]

I honestly don't think it's worth while, unless you're going to do a lot of retro fitting and engine swapping ect. as it's just overkill. The Foxwell has everything you need for VAG cars, plus it's a generic ODB2 reader so it can take a stab at any car that has the ODB2 port (which almost all cars post 1992 have).

The other bonus is that it's easier to keep on you in the car rather than a laptop, so you can always store it in the boot in case of an engine issue when driving, saves a lot of drama being able to diagnose an issue at the side of the road.

[patpong_pete]

hi what the best feature of Foxwell NT-500 VAG diagnostic tool
where and whats the best price for this thanks in advance

[th3_f15t]

The best feature is it has access to every control module and ECU in a VAG car and can scan all areas for faults, plus clear air bag/dash lights and oil service messages. It's also able to code equipment and do live data logging (but not on the level of VCDS).

I got mine on eBay for about £120 I think.

[Peabod]

I think your right... I should save up and get VCDS.. I only ever own VW's anyway!
The Pirelli I have now is my 5th MK5 Gti, before them it was a Mk4 R32 and an Audi S3... My next car will be a Mk6 Gti or another Mk5.

How much would I be looking to pay for VCDS?

I thought I was bad with 2 mkiv gti's x2 mkiv 4motions x2 mkivR32's X1 mkv R32 and now a mkv Gti. Least I'm not on my own suffering this addiction.

Just to clear up "access to control module" does this enable you to activate the hidden perks?