Vag - Com advice

[beany1978]

I know there is a vag com thread but the guys in here have been able to help with everything else so far.
I am just waiting to pick my 96 a4 tdi se 90bhp this week and as my other car 9the wifes) is a mk3 gti 8v I hve been looking into getting vag-com.
What exactly do i need. I have seen the leads on flea bay and i know i will need to get software. Do I need anything else. Just wondered why it costs so much from the places i have seen sell vag- com. Do you get anything extra for paying £200 over the leads on the bay???
Also, how difficult is it to use it. i fix electronincs on helicopters so am computer minded and used to electrical diagnostics.

Thanks in advance for any pointers, now just cant wait to get a hold of my car, already planning to change the injectors so need vag-com to re-set the egr and idle. Also looking at an induction kit and then a nice old re-map to finish the job. My a4 should be a little rocket then- well compared to some cars!!!

[a8 tech]

Go to the ross tech site and have a look .It realy is fantastic value if you consider you get free updates and info with fault codes plus explanations of the codes.I got my vag com from gendan and they were first class as it was delivered the next day and all the registration documents came with it and all i had to due was folloe the instructions to load the usb driver.Gendan is uk agent and fully affiliated to ross tech but ive heard you can save a few quid by buying direct from the usa.Try gendan automotive and they will give you full support for your requirements as you may not need full version.DONT BUY THE LEAD OF FLEA BAY AS I MADE THAT MISTAKE AND I GOT STUNG.Regards Jon

[evilscotsman]

You also need a reasonable laptop with USB and the rest is a learning curve. Its very techie but like you i'm an electronics engineer in manufacturing and found it reasonably easy to get going with. You can fiddle with allsorts with it, but its bulky for quick diags and no use if you are broken down somewhere - with no laptop etc.