will this do everything .

[john-mandy]

Just trying to get a feel of what vcd model i require, looking at the forum and ross techs own site, i,ve managed to get myself into a right muddle, here,s hoping someone can shine just a little light.

The model i,m looking at is the VCDS Professional Kit - USB Interface (http://www.ross-tech.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=VPHUC&Category_Code=P), my car being a 2007 3.0 litre s-line quattro, glad to say no problems at the moment (touch wood). basically will this unit do everything i would need it to.

I promised myself when the funds became avialable i would invest in one of the above, more for peace of mind, and if a problem arose at least it would give me a starting position to work from.

Anyway thanks in hand for any help you may offer.

john

[Zenerdiode]

Helllo John,

Unless you immediately need a USB extension cable, and/or a connector to be able to connect to older cars, (we're talking Audi 80 or Audi 100 etc) you don't really need the Professional kit.

Get the Hex-USB+CAN (http://www.ross-tech.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=VCHUC&Category_Code=IC) interface - it's identical to the Interface that you had selected in the Professional kit; but you aren't paying for the USB extension and conversion connector that I don't really think you'll need.

I then just have a drawstring pouch that I keep mine in.

[john-mandy]

Thanks for your quick reply zenerdiode,

i have two mates with audi 100,s they have in the past gone to audi unnecessarily to have their codes read at great cost, maybe i can save them some cost and recoup a small fee towards the vcd. their cars are over 20 years old and still no signs of giving up, hope my quattro can match that.

By the way does the Hex-USB+CAN (http://www.ross-tech.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=VCHUC&Category_Code=IC) interface come with all the right software, are there no other additional costs. Can you point me to a british supplier where i can purchase, the ross website looks american payment in dollars etc.

Anyway thanks again.

john

[keemaklan]

I was meaning to ask the same question about VCDS lately too.

So confusing which one i needed. Thanks to the OP for posting this up and to Zenerdiode for replying.

Anyone got a cheap/good supplier?

John, the software is downloadable from the site itself. Its the unique 'code' that the actual cable has within it that unlocks ALL the vag-com software whereas with cheap chinese copies of the cable it doesen't contain the code so you are limited to just a few functions.

[Zenerdiode]

...i have two mates with audi 100,s...
...their cars are over 20 years old and still no signs of giving up...

Yep, that's what I love about Audis. My first was an Audi 80 Sport that I bought with 95K on the clock. Got rid of it with 147K on it. My second was a 1996 A4 1.8T Sport that I bought in 2000. Just got rid of that in January this year for my current 2009 B8.

Back to your questions; I've been a customer of Ross-Tech since 2000, I have had a couple of interfaces from them, namely because I bought a software licence first, then a serial version and then rather than returning it, got a Hex-USB+CAN that we discussed earlier. I have always bought directly from Ross-Tech in America. If you pay with PayPal the exchange rate is very good and the shipping is by either USPS International or FedEx. I'm sure you'd be fine ordering from a UK distributor but I like the 'direct connection' with the Ross-Tech team - they really do bend over backwards to help.

The software is not physically included with the interface, however you download it from their Current Version (http://www.ross-tech.com/vcds/download/current.html) page. Keep checking there every few months or so, (latest data version is a very recent 06/12/2010) upgrades so far have been free for the 10 years(!) I have been a 'customer'. The interface itself activates the software. So no, there are no additional costs for the software.

Depending on the exact age of your friends' Audi 100's, VCDS may not work with them. To get a little technical, for the very early models, VCDS supports only 'Rapid Data Transfer' using the 'K-Line' (and sometimes L-Line to wake up some very early modules). But the early ECU's that you could retrieve fault messages from, used 'Flash Codes'. The Dealers' diagnostic reader of the time - the VAG1551 - could read Flash Codes and was later upgraded to read Rapid Data Transfer. What model years are the 100's?

[john-mandy]

Hi again zennerdiode,
took your advice and went for the hex-usb+can, ordered locally from Gendan Limited, right on my doorstep.

I,m sure ross tech will still give me as much support as possible with gendan being a nominated supplier, as you state i will still have to register and download the software from their site.

One of my replies yesterday stated that my car was running without problems, but i have, on 2 occasions had the orange emission control system light come on in the last 2 weeks, both times the temperature outside was below -7, restarting cleared this and in my oppinion had no effect on the car. Still a quick scan with the vcd may tell me if i have a problem waiting to happen.

I did a 150 mile trip today to brush the cobwebs off the engine and it still sounds and drives 100%.

Anyway thanks again for your imput into this topic, as you can read you have helped more than just me.

john