I am looking to help diagnose my new (to me) 2001 A4 Avant 2.8 (30v- 5spd) and was looking to get a low cost VAG tool so I can diagnose and delete error codes. I dont have a PC laptop, so I dont want to get the cable and software. Not looking for all the bells and whistles, just basics... I was looking at this :

Amazon.com: Hot MaxScan VAG405 Code Reader OBD2 EOBD CAN BUS VW Audi: Car Electronics

any reports? are there similar products that I should check out?

thanks, matt

 

Get the $5 blue cable and VCDS lite, by far the cheapest solution.

 

+1........

 

but i dont have a laptop running windows... (I had my mac dual booted with windows but lost the drive and dont have a legit copy- this is a ball of wax I would rather not have to deal with)

 

I really don't think there's an inexpensive way to do this without a Windows computer.

 

If you're ok with the pirate lifestyle it's ridiculously easy to find and install windows xp, microsoft doesn't care about people pirating it anymore so they stopped trying to prevent it.

 

Borrow a friend's laptop until you can get one used. You don't need a powerful computer to run VCDS. Something like 1ghz and 256mb ram. I'm sure you can find one for $50-100 on craigslist.

 

VCDS is the best option by far, and the cheapest but if you really want to buy a OBDII scanner, just buy one.

I have a 99 dollar one that works for about any car newer than 95. Shows you the codes and etc. VAGCOM is the way to go. Rosstech has more info regarding it.

 

ha! that made me laugh, and then, scratch my head! all the silly **** we buy and yet this was a first for tool shopping! buying a full on lap top is cheaper than buying a dedicated piece of hardware.

but, i 'found' a copy of windows XP...

 

Install a partition on the hard drive and install the basic drivers needed and your good to go.

If that doesn't work you have Linux, Win 7, Win 8. The list goes on.

It might be smart to invest in a computer you can use for more than 3-4 years though. People replace computers like phones these days. When a new one comes out, out with the old in with the new, when the computer is perfectly fine.