I am planning on purchasing a VAG-COM as I know this will eventually save me a load of cash. My question though is which one should I buy as their are various models at different prices. I see on the website that a VW owner has done a graphed 1/4 mile run. ALso I 've heard you can do a simulated dyno run that is calculated by the computer. Is this true? and which model do you have to get?

 

The VAG-COM program is the same for all interfaces. You just need to decide whether you want the KEY-COM (serial) or the KEY-USB (USB, duh) interface. If you want it to work on the later cars with the CAN bus you will need to upgrade to the HEX-series.

 

What's a CAN bus?

 

The ross-tech site can tell you exactly what you need and the price. They also have demos on the site to help you get started.

 

The exact opposite of the CANT bus...[sm=happybounce.gif]

Actually, some of the newer models need a different interface CAN stands for Controller Area Network. CAN is a new means of communicating with the car for diagnostics used by the latest generations of VW, Audi, SEAT, and Skoda vehicles. Unlike the older ISO9141 system which used a single K-line for diagnostic communications, the new CAN-Bus system uses a twisted pair of wires with differential signaling. CAN is considerably faster than ISO-9141 (500 kpbs vs. 10.4 kbps). Both new hardware and new software are required in order to communicate with cars using CAN for diagnostics.

More info here...

 

Oh ok, so unless any of us are driving an MK2 TT.. we'll be ok not getting the CAN(i)bus.