Steer Me The Right Way

[hogger453]

looking to get dealer quality laptop and software.

[Cubieman]

looking to get dealer quality laptop and software.

Either buy a pre-loaded HDD or entire laptop with ISTA installed. Those will also have INPA and standard stuff like NCS,Tool32,WinKFP etc.

This tool for all intents and purposes is really all you need and it's free, also you can do vanos tests with it plus datalogging and DME read/write.

https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/main-forum/e46-2001-2006/355301-mss54-ds2-tool-free-tool-for-programming-dme-tune-full-binary-flash-counter-etc

ISTA is dealer software, get an ICOM cable for the ability to do vanos tests.

But just for the cost of a KDCAN cable you can do likely everything you need to do with Karter's program.

[elrichmeister]

I usually get by with Old Dell Laptop and INPA, BMW Scanner 1.4, and OBD Fusion (phone and blue tooth). Each one uses different connections, but i can scan and diagnose almost anything.
good info here:

https://www.e46fanatics.com/threads/installing-bmw-standard-tools.1322014/

https://www.e46fanatics.com/threads/bmw-scanner-1-4-pa-soft.1282756/

https://www.e46fanatics.com/threads/obd-fusion.1240733/

[hogger453]

Either buy a pre-loaded HDD or entire laptop with ISTA installed. Those will also have INPA and standard stuff like NCS,Tool32,WinKFP etc.

This tool for all intents and purposes is really all you need and it's free, also you can do vanos tests with it plus datalogging and DME read/write.

https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/main-forum/e46-2001-2006/355301-mss54-ds2-tool-free-tool-for-programming-dme-tune-full-binary-flash-counter-etc

ISTA is dealer software, get an ICOM cable for the ability to do vanos tests.

But just for the cost of a KDCAN cable you can do likely everything you need to do with Karter's program.

Something like this?

https://www.obdii.shop/goods-26-BMW-ICOM-NEXT-ICOM-A3-BMW-Diagnostic-Tool-Plus-Lenovo-X220-Laptop.html?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=18374647420&gbraid=0AAAAAo7In6HaWWXDYWXnUECfUHlYgrfV-&gclid=CjwKCAjwkaXUBhASEiwAZI3dsyDj6TWj-H3ie2QtFQGZzRysvHLooV07xMDEU_TjNXwdqK2h64xHtxoC1J8QAvD_BwE

[Cubieman]

Something like this?

https://www.obdii.shop/goods-26-BMW-ICOM-NEXT-ICOM-A3-BMW-Diagnostic-Tool-Plus-Lenovo-X220-Laptop.html?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=1837464742 0&gbraid=0AAAAAo7In6HaWWXDYWXnUECfUHlYgrfV-&gclid=CjwKCAjwkaXUBhASEiwAZI3dsyDj6TWj-H3ie2QtFQGZzRysvHLooV07xMDEU_TjNXwdqK2h64xHtxoC1J8 QAvD_BwE

Thats it, however that is a Chinese copy of the ICOM.

I cannot confirm this personally as I have never used a Chinese ICOM to do a vanos test, I have seem to remember someone on this forum not been able to do a vanos test without a genuine ICOM, but that would be worth looking into further as legit ICOM units are quite expensive on Ebay etc.


For E46's you aren't going to need the latest and greatest version of the ICOM. If you are dead set on getting one, do a bit of research on which version might be best for what you need.


If you do not get an ICOM cable you will need to get an ethernet cable (vs. USB) for F chassis and on.

But once again, the free software available in the link and a USB KDCAN cable will likely do all you need to do on any E46 including a vanos test.


For a vanos test before that I would use DIS and a KDCAN cable, but its such a pain in the ass for many reasons.


The only thing can't say 100% is if the non- genuine ICOM will do a vanos test via ISTA, I dont see it wouldn't if it works in general but I do have a memory of someone on this forum having that issue.