Ross Tech VCDS any alternatives

[Duggy72]

Having experienced my first issues with the car recently I was lucky enough to have a friend with VCDS who could scan my car.

Not having much experience in these things I thought I would ask if there are any other recommended cable and software packages available or is VCDS the same as used by the dealers?

Thanks.

[Guest 2]

Vcds is as close that you'll get to a full main dealer system.

As you've already seen it's very useful and provides vital info.

Well worth the money - http://m.gendan.co.uk/product_VCHU.html


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[Duggy72]

Thanks Chris,

Looks like I will need to invest in this in the near future.

[zollaf]

my snap on modis is just about as good as vcds, but that would set you back about £7 grand, but lets you work on just about every car out there.

[Doctle Odd]

It's the price of a couple of visits to a main dealer nothing come near to it that doesn't cost thousands

[MarkTM]

I purchased mine in June last year (from the link Chris posted and it arrived next day) so 10 months after my car purchase, and can confirm that it's already recouped it's cost in 7 months.

Many of the things I could do myself, some I've taken to an Indy, if I'm sure about what needs to be done following a scan and cross referencing with a forum search I get my local (VAG trained) mobile mechanic to do it and he charges just £35ph and no VAT.

Note that if you use main dealers for service they will insist on scanning themselves as don't want to loose that £120 charge, but you can insist that they just replace the bits your VCDS has throw up...they'll not want to even look at your scan however so you have to be very specific.

With your own VCDS you can also add yourself to the map and help others in your locale in exchange for a couple of beer tokens

[zollaf]

only problem with that, you scan and it comes up with lambda sensor. you insist garage just changes that. they do, same fault still comes up. how much of an idiot do you feel when the garage ask you why you wanted a new lambda sensor when without scanning it they could tell you it was a vacuum pipe broken ? of course, you insisted they just changed the sensor though.
home mechanics, every garage loves em, just like the doctors love people that diagnose themselves via the internet

[MarkTM]

Always managed lambda sensors myself....so no embarrassment factor in that particular example.

Q) What's the difference between a GP and God?
A) God knows he's NOT a GP!!

[deanosabby]

Just been out to do a bit to the wife's A4 quattro vert sline and my vcds cable has gone missing. I think it has probably fallen from the door pocket on my A6 which I have always thought was rather shallow.
Looks like I'll need to buy another.
Kick in the stanes or what.

[MarkTM]

Deano sorry to hear, am guessing you'll not be keeping it there again? Mines curled up in the bottom bit of the armrest.

Am guessing that counselling may be available if you start to suffer from withdrawal symptoms?