[Elan2S]

VCDS it is then!

Should also be useful for the Ibiza as that is also VAG car

 

[c16rkc]

I found VSDS a bit expensive for a private user, so I bought this for £25:

https://caristaapp.com/

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Carista-Bluetooth-Adapter-Scanner-Technology/dp/B00YVHGTBM/

I used it to enable and change the settings in the Audi A6. It also has a free trial for the full version, and you can pay as you go too, and basic OBD code reading is free. I bought it from Amazon, as I know they have a great returns policy.

The other good thing is you can pay £9.99 to use it at "dealer level" for 1 month, then cancel it. Lets you do a bit of diagnostic or close out the service light when you do a service. This seems to really hack a lot of people off, but considering the alternative is purchasing a VSDS for over £200, I can't understand why.

I'm not a pro, but to me it looked every bit as good as the much more expensive code readers I have seen in the past, and leagues ahead of all the cheap versions on the market. It really does seem to have all the dealer functions you need; but more user friendly in a Phone App.

 

[Elan2S]

I found VSDS a bit expensive for a private user, so I bought this for £25:

https://caristaapp.com/

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Carista-Bluetooth-Adapter-Scanner-Technology/dp/B00YVHGTBM/

I used it to enable and change the settings in the Audi A6. It also has a free trial for the full version, and you can pay as you go too, and basic OBD code reading is free. I bought it from Amazon, as I know they have a great returns policy.

The other good thing is you can pay £9.99 to use it at "dealer level" for 1 month, then cancel it. Lets you do a bit of diagnostic or close out the service light when you do a service. This seems to really hack a lot of people off, but considering the alternative is purchasing a VSDS for over £200, I can't understand why.

I'm not a pro, but to me it looked every bit as good as the much more expensive code readers I have seen in the past, and leagues ahead of all the cheap versions on the market. It really does seem to have all the dealer functions you need; but more user friendly in a Phone App.

Agree that Carista is great for the basics, however if you want to do some of the more cleaver stuff then it starts to fall down. For instance on my C8 A6 it is not possible to enable High Beam Assist using Carista, but that said even VCDS will no longer let you activate Traffic Sign Recognition as Audi are seemingly locking out the ability for users to tinker with their cars. Things are better with earlier generation cars though

Also be aware with Carista, at least if you are using it with an iPhone and buying the 1 month access through the Apple App Store - no idea about Android, you need to cancel the subscription before the month is up otherwise it auto renews. You still have access to the features for the full month you have paid after cancelling

 

[c16rkc]

Ah OK, it might be better for the older models then; it was perfect for my C6 A6, and I was even able to change the headlight direction when I went to Holland.

I noticed a lot of people complain about the auto renew subscription. I would agree it's a pain, but it's pretty standard these days, and at £9.99 I found it hard to have any sypthathy for those complaining. I simply cancelled it straight after I signed up so it would not auto-renew.

 

[kentphil]

The issue with the app type softwares - carista, obd11 etc, is you are chancing that the one click service has been sufficiently debugged for the model you have, rather than the model it was tested on.

In theory they should be the same, but my experience over the last 2 years of sorting out issues for other people who have used that function, it would seem not. If you are experienced enough to use the manual advanced mode, that is a different story, but that is not user friendly.

The more modern vehicles now use an FeC code to lock out certain changes, but I believe VAGCanPRO (or VCP for short) can still do this. Word of caution though, changes made in VCP can be very difficult to reverse if you don't keep notes of your changes and then screw up.

For Hoggers, I think he needs to decide if he just wants to see whats up, then a cheap app or physical code reader would do. If he wants to make effective changes or update his features on his car, then VCDS is probably the best supported option to build his skill set with, that way if he does screw something up, they will guide him back out all in the price of his lead. The software is free to download and regularly updated, you just pay once for the hardware.

 

[LanCat]

If you are going to keep a VAG car for any length of time then VCDS is 100% the right tool not only for faults but as some have said, tweaking settings for all sorts of things.

I had a VW that the A/C stopped working every few weeks. The A/C specialists wanted to charge £40 every time to get it working again. No-one could see why it was stopping cooling. VCDS could "reboot" it and it would be fine again for weeks. Don't think the business case for it quite worked out but it was a god-send many times.

I don't have a VW any more and no plans for another so mine is spare. If you want to make a cheeky offer, I might say yes. (Mods, I'm happy to change this if any for sale rules are being bent).

 

[hoggers]

If you are going to keep a VAG car for any length of time then VCDS is 100% the right tool not only for faults but as some have said, tweaking settings for all sorts of things.

I had a VW that the A/C stopped working every few weeks. The A/C specialists wanted to charge £40 every time to get it working again. No-one could see why it was stopping cooling. VCDS could "reboot" it and it would be fine again for weeks. Don't think the business case for it quite worked out but it was a god-send many times.

I don't have a VW any more and no plans for another so mine is spare. If you want to make a cheeky offer, I might say yes. (Mods, I'm happy to change this if any for sale rules are being bent).

Drop me a message with a price

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[kentphil]

If you are going to keep a VAG car for any length of time then VCDS is 100% the right tool not only for faults but as some have said, tweaking settings for all sorts of things.

I had a VW that the A/C stopped working every few weeks. The A/C specialists wanted to charge £40 every time to get it working again. No-one could see why it was stopping cooling. VCDS could "reboot" it and it would be fine again for weeks. Don't think the business case for it quite worked out but it was a god-send many times.

I don't have a VW any more and no plans for another so mine is spare. If you want to make a cheeky offer, I might say yes. (Mods, I'm happy to change this if any for sale rules are being bent).

Is it the HEX - CAN V1 or V2?.

 

[LanCat]

Is it the HEX - CAN V1 or V2?.

V1 sir.

 

[kentphil]

I was only asking as some older leads before v1 wont see new VAG stuff, but i think Hoggers should be ok, but either of you can check on Ross-Tech's site with the chassis prefix. :thumb:

Please don't call me sir, I keep looking behind me to see if my Dad has just walked in. :lol:

 

[hoggers]

Had a call from VW on Monday just gone saying the EGR valve would be another week before it arrived let alone be fitted. Can’t say I was too happy or surprised. However, call on Wednesday to day it would ready by the end of the day. I wasn’t able to get a lift so next opportunity was yesterday morning. Arrived at 8.30am to be told the technician had locked my keys in his box and he wasn’t in work - fuming. I explained that I was taking my kids and their friends to Virtual Reality experience later that morning and needed the van. They called the technician who brought in the Key half an hour later. The salesman who is my age, coaches his sons football team as I do and happens to live not far from the VR centre said that as a good will gesture they’d pay for the VR tickets £135 - nice touch but won’t believe it until it’s in my account! Also noticed the van was filthy and hadn’t been valeted despite them having it for a couple of weeks. The day I picked the van up it was supposed to be cleaned but the valeters car broke down. I was told next time it was in it would be done. It wasn’t, so again the salesman stepped in and was embarrassed by the who experience and said he give me the £400 life shine service - a bit dubious as to the claims but nevertheless a nice gesture. Hopefully, the drama is now over and I can enjoy the van and get it lowered as per my original plan.


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[percymon]

Onwards and upwards (or downwards in the case of the ride height!)

 

[hoggers]

A little bit more drama. The parking sensors stopped working! Called them up and asked what my options were moving forward…

1. They can fix it
2. I trade it in for another van
3. I get a full refund

Given that I’ve bought lots of bits already for it I opted for option 1.

Took in today and they fixed the faulty sensor within half an hour.


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[hoggers]

Took the opportunity to fit a rear bumper protector

A photo next to its sibling…

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[hoggers]

Used my windscreen washers for the first time yesterday - noticed water pouring out the side of the bonnet

Spilt pipe…

Van going in yet again to be sorted

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[President Swirl]

Nice as it is mate, I'd consider the rejection offer seeing as it's had more issues than the New Yorker.

 

[hoggers]

Another weeee update. Took the van in to get the washer pipe and the cigarette lighter fuse replaced. Both now sorted. I asked them to look at the side window as it was very stiff to close. If you’ve had a t5 before this is common as they don’t get used much and seize. It needs a new roller so that’s ordered and will require another visit.

To my surprise they have paid £136 into my account as a good will gesture for the VR experience.

Got the van home and gave it a clean, then noticed the top part of the window was missing.

With it…

Without it…

Sent these photos to them and again they were every embarrassed and said they’d order the part straight away. I questioned whether this sort of stuff should have been picked up on the multi point check and their reply was yes of course - when it’s next in we’ll ensure it gets done.

At this point I thought it was worth mentioning the decals. When it went in for paint all of these got removed and never replaced. I like the clean look but as it’s a 60th anniversary it would be nice to have. They said they’d look to see if they can order these in.

Van is booked in Monday with my local garage to have lowering springs, dampers and front splitter fitted. After this I guess there is no turning back in terms of keeping it!


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[Starbuck88]

All these little bits wrong/missing etc but so far I am impressed with how they are looking after you. Which of course they should be but in this day and age, the amount of dealers that would have told you to like it or lump it far outweigh the good ones out there.

So I'm very happy to see a fellow DW'er be treated well

 

[streaky]

Washer pipe splitting is annoying but a common occurrence on these vans.

 

[hoggers]

Washer pipe splitting is annoying but a common occurrence on these vans.

Yeah, as soon as I mentioned it they knew it would be down by the hinge so you’d think it would be one of the first things they’d check.


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