Vagcom question

[jonson66]

Hi, hoping someone on here could possibly explain this to me. I have had a search and can't find the answer. So basically from what I can gather the software you download for free and you pay for the lead? Anyways what's the difference between a lead from Ross tech or a cheap and cheerful one off ebay? I must be missing something can someone please point it out.

Many thanks

[HPsauce]

The genuine lead will work. The "fake" lead is depriving the software developers (who are a business) of income so is effectively fraud.
In reality everyone who has a genuine copy is paying extra for those who cheat.

The amount of money you will save by having a working VCDS/Vagcom usually makes it well worthwhile. Dealer diagnostic charges will rack up very quickly and even just knowing more about the problem before deciding what to do is valuable.

[jonson66]

The genuine lead will work. The "fake" lead is depriving the software developers (who are a business) of income so is effectively fraud.
In reality everyone who has a genuine copy is paying extra for those who cheat.

The amount of money you will save by having a working VCDS/VAGCOM usually makes it well worthwhile. Dealer diagnostic charges will rack up very quickly and even just knowing more about the problem before deciding what to do is valuable.

Surely there's a difference between the two? With a genuine one can you program control units that you wouldn't be able to do with a fake one? I'm just interested, im a mechanic by trade

[HPsauce]

Not really.
You CAN run VCDS in a sort of test mode (VCDS-Lite) with a generic USB/OBD lead, with very limited functionality. But the "cheap" eBay ones are generally trying to clone the ID built into the genuine leads to give you all functions. It's pretty much all or nothing.

There is also, as a legacy from an older licencing model, a way of (legally) registering and activating VCDS-Lite on a PC to work fairly comprehensively with any simple lead, with some restrictions on functionality for later vehicles.
I happen to have that version as it's all that is needed to work fully on my older vehicle, though I can upgrade at a heavily-discounted price if I ever need to and get the fully functional cable version that covers up to current models.

[jonson66]

Well here is my next question. Where is the place to get a cable from and best price? I assume it's all can bus too

[MikeFish]

I thought the fake ones didn't actually work or didn't work reliably and therefore had very limited functionality?
By buying the proper cable you get the license to use the full software.

[HPsauce]

Well here is my next question. Where is the place to get a cable from and best price?

People sell them occasionally, but you need to get the right one for your vehicle(s).
The Ross-Tech web site has a list of distributors, there are a handful in the UK. Prices are pretty similar, even for a used one.
A distributor will ensure you get the right one. With warranty and support.

im a mechanic by trade

So will know the value of quality tools.

[jonson66]

Well here is my next question. Where is the place to get a cable from and best price?

People sell them occasionally, but you need to get the right one for your vehicle(s).
The Ross-Tech web site has a list of distributors, there are a handful in the UK. Prices are pretty similar, even for a used one.
A distributor will ensure you get the right one. With warranty and support.

Is there not one that does them all? The vagcom I borrowed off an old colleague used to work on anything audi vw seat or skoda

[HPsauce]

Have you not even looked at the Ross-Tech web site? e.g. http://store.ross-tech.com/mm5/merchant ... re_Code=RS

[jonson66]

I thought the fake ones didn't actually work or didn't work reliably and therefore had very limited functionality?
By buying the proper cable you get the license to use the full software.

Is that right? I would rather have the real thing and I don't mind spending the money on it was just wondering if there was a difference. Love your rs4 by the way [SMILING FACE WITH SMILING EYES]

[jonson66]

Have you not even looked at the Ross-Tech web site? e.g. http://store.ross-tech.com/mm5/merchant ... re_Code=RS

No I haven't... is this the cheapest place?

[Shoppinit]

Got mine from ilexa.co.uk. Gendan also sell.

Definitely worth having a genuine cable. They should work on pretty much all VAG cars.

[jonson66]

Thank you mate I'll have a look