All, just after some advice. I have bought a fault code reader which works fine. However, I've just bought a netbook, and thought Vagcom might be a good idea. However, I'm a little confused. What is the difference between Vagcom and VCDS? All I really want us to be able to read off fault codes, and my fault code reader is really basic. It would be a "nice to have" to be able to activate options on my car etc... What do I need?!
It's the same but they called it vcds after version 804.2. It stands for VagCom Diagnostic Software. You don't always need to get a full version. A clone can work just as well but not necessarily the early versions without CAN.
the picture's below are of the one i have it is a clone as mentioned above i payed about 30 to 40 for it the newer ones seem to have gone up in price on ebay http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_kw=Dual-K&_kw=Can&_dmpt=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vag-Com-Vcds-10-3-1990-2011-Hex-Can-USB-CABLE-FULL-ACTIVATED-/320892464964?pt=UK_Diagnostic_Tools_Equipment&hash=item4ab6ae6f44 and a Genuine-Ross-Tech one below for comparison http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-Ross-Tech-Hex-can-VCDS-VAG-LEAD-/160786895483?pt=UK_Diagnostic_Tools_Equipment&hash=item256fa5527b
That 10.6 is future proof if you decide to go for a newer car that uses CAN. That's around the goin rate but 11.3 versions are around now. Those are dear on eBay I can get them cheaper than that.
I use one of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VAG-5053-...iagnostic_Tools_Equipment&hash=item3cb9567c66 This is the plus + version and i got mine from a UK seller for 50.00 (ebay id = "beathegarage" iirc) super easy to use,I would not be without one now.
i'v had mine a few years now used it on a lot of newer cars dont think i would pay 60 to 70 quid the ebay ones are selling for out of intrest how much can you get them for i payed 34 for the one i have
a 10 usb cable is fine for older cars including reading fault codes on mk4 golf, but if you want newer cars and/or can-bus stuff you need an expensive pro/full vcds cable. the 10 cables work with vag-com 409 and vcds-lite as above they're the same thing just vcds-lite is a newer version which works on 7/64bit os. trouble is you need to make sure the cable you get has 7/64bit drivers as not all of them do
