RS246.com Forum :: The World's #1 Audi R, S and RS Enthusiast Community

Posted: **Mon Jun 27, 2005 4:32 am**

This VAG-COM. How much does it cost and what equipment do you get or what do you need? Also where can I get one and the associated equipment?

Posted: **Mon Jun 27, 2005 8:46 am**

i bought the cable from http://www.obdtool.com/

and downloaded the shareware version from http://www.ross-tech.com/

i later upgraded my software, can't remember how much sorry

Posted: **Mon Jun 27, 2005 8:50 am**

Eddie,
What limitations does the shareware version have?
Is it a special cable or will a "standard" OBD2 to serial/USB cable work?

Posted: **Mon Jun 27, 2005 9:03 am**

it was 18 months ago i checked all this out...

it would seem that there are newer cables etc from rosstech, to fit newer cars? work quicker than old cable

newer version of software too, may work on other cars also (other than vw/audi/skoda/seat)

when i got mine, main differences between shareware and bought software were shareware would only show text of first fault code then list the rest as numbers only (usually fairly decodeable from http://www.bentleypublishers.com/)

also couldn't cvhange any values on the car with shareware. i've only used this occasionally in 18 months

hth, eddie

Posted: **Mon Jun 27, 2005 9:22 am**

I've got a Ross-Tech serial cable and full version it works well. But in retrospect I should've gotten the USB cable witht he built in software validation "dongle" as I can't move the install from the laptop its on without a cumbersome deactivation then reactivation process via email with Ross-Tech. If your funds stretch to it, get the USB version!

Posted: **Mon Jun 27, 2005 11:27 am**

Ok, I've gathered so far that it's a laptop, cable and the software that I need. What kind of price are we talking here, worse scenario all top notch equipment. Cheers

Posted: **Mon Jun 27, 2005 11:51 am**

No need to invest in the latest hardware - you can get away with a P1 200mhz laptop with vag-com. I have a Toshiba Libretto and have used it on many occasions with my S4 using the serial port connection. The libretto is a small sub-notebook and go for less than £150 on ebay.

Posted: **Mon Jun 27, 2005 1:08 pm**

I have just ordered VAG-COM
Package B - "KEY-USB"
- Enthusiast oriented, portable, expandable
- USB connection

going to run it on a dell latitude laptop. but friends are running it on older machines.

Posted: **Mon Jun 27, 2005 1:10 pm**

How much Brett? Where from?

Posted: **Mon Jun 27, 2005 3:17 pm**

Still, no prices have been mentioned for the laptop, cable and the software. We need some figures guys!

Posted: **Mon Jun 27, 2005 3:20 pm**

laptop can be almost any old crap. Get a cheap one of ebay with windows 95 or 98.

I also am interested in the prices of the other bits

Posted: **Mon Jun 27, 2005 4:37 pm**

Prices for the cables themselves are available here :

http://www.vag-com.co.uk/products.htm

Posted: **Mon Jun 27, 2005 4:40 pm**

Thanks Adrian - didnt realise they had a UK operation.

Posted: **Mon Jun 27, 2005 4:53 pm**

LOL it's "Alex"

Once again.. in retrospect I wouldn't have bought mine form there as they don't offer an upgrade option to USB. Ross Tech direct do so. But if you're going for the USB version anyway (as you should!) then it's a bit of a non issue!

Cheers,
Alex.

Posted: **Mon Jun 27, 2005 5:16 pm**

Sorry Alex - it wasnt a wild guess, honest!
My apologies.