Does Ross Tech VCDS software cost money?

[battmiceter]

It looks like the latest version can be downloaded straight from the website for free?

Is this software really free?

Thanks.

[Guest 2]

the download is free but you pay for the license and the ability to use the software within the cable itself as it acts as a dongle.

[battmiceter]

will 'VCDS Release 10.6.2' work on my a 2008 58 plate A4 2.0 TDI?

[Guest 2]

Yes but it's more than likely a clone

[battmiceter]

would that be a bad thing, if so why?

the reason i ask is that i baught a VW group scan tool off ebay which diddnt work with my car so the seller has offered to replace it with 'VCDS release 10.6.2' software and the cable.

[Guest 2]

not a bad thing as such, there are people on here who use them and they work 100%

but yes the 10.6.2 will work but think of who you're supporting ... the genuine hardworking people at rosstech who created the product or the chinese ripoff merchants who steal their hard work and the financial impact it has on rt themselves.

[battmiceter]

Thanks a6 chris, that's been a lot of help to me

[Doctle Odd]

VCDS Saves money, the genuine one does, dealer can charge what they like for a scan 80.00 is average, double that for coding something. Oh and the eBay specials can short things, fry ecu's etc but aren't they cheap!

[battmiceter]

how often does this happen, how much info do you have on these things happening?

[Doctle Odd]

Hard to give a figure, look in your local paper, see how many VAG cars are for sale with "electrical problems" IME the electrical problems are caused by people trying to code dashes, change mileage, add keys etc without knowing what they're trying to do.

[battmiceter]

all i want to do is reset the service schedule interval because i have serviced it myself, i also want to release the hand brake in order to change the rear discs myself.

do you think i will encounter problems doing this, im not going to read any error codes or anything like that.......

Thanks

[battmiceter]

under what circumstances would an ECU be fried? or would things short out?

is it when people change stuff as you mensioned above?

[Doctle Odd]

The dealer here charges 80.00 yoyos to reset the serviced indicator, they would only rewind the brake pistons if they were changing the pads and discs themselves so by doing those 2 jobs yourself you have almost the cost of the VCDS cable saved.

[Doctle Odd]

The cables are badly made, they don't fit into the OBD socket very well, these are cheap copies made in a sweatshop, if something goes wrong try to get your money back!