I have a 1997 audi a4 2.8 and I'm wanting to get one of those code scanners for my car....what kind should i get? Which would be the best to get is what I'm really wondering

 

the general feeling is that the genuine "Ross-Tech Vag-Com" cable is the best, short of the factory computer thingy that only the dealers have. A lot of people make do with the knock off Vag-Com cable, available through e-bay and other places and use the Ross-Tech VCDS-Lite (scaled down version of VCDS that works with the official cable).

finally, some folks just use a more generic OBDII code reader. while they will work they aren't as versatile as the vag-com/vcds option.

if you need to do it on the cheap, the ebay cable and VCDS-Lite is the least expensive option but some people can't get their cheap cable to work properly with the software so buyer beware.

disclosure: i have the genuine cable and full version of VCDS that I bought second hand off an ad i found here

 

So the cables that hook up to the computer only work for laptops correct???

 

ECS sells a scanner for about $50 that will do pretty much everything you need, though its significantly less full-featured than the genuine article

 

Ok thanks.

 

No, they will work with any computer that has a USB port and a Windows XP, Vista or 7 operating system.

The reason you see people using them only on laptops is because it's not very practical to lug the monster gaming rig tower down to the car and park it on the seat.

 

Beat me to it ^

 

Thats what i meant lol. I guess ill find somewhere to buy one. (have no idea where to look lol)

 

http://www.ross-tech.com/;)

 

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