VCDS - Worth the Money/What an it do?

[JohnFA6]

Hi guys so I'm looking at buying VCDS through Genden for £263.

But before doing so I'm wondering is it worth the money? I mean what can I do with it considering I don't know the first thing about apart from seeing in here you can do scans and also clear fault codes just seems a lot of money.

Willing to buy it and learn about it if it's worth my while. Plan on keeping my A6 for many years to come as have put a lot of money into it at Xmas time it's only done 64,000 miles and well I love the car.

Any info be great cheers John.


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[Scott K]

If you are going to do any servicing yourself it is worth it. Rear brake change needs it - although you can do it without apparently. Also, if you change the oil yourself you can reset the service light. It can be used to enable and disable coding which you might like (see under VCDS changes sticky). It can also scan for faults and save you a trip to the dealer. Have seen a couple of comments that guys have noticed faults with the engine before it has become apparent just by scanning.
If you are planning on keeping the car, then it is well worth it if you like to tinker. If you will always use a garage then maybe not worth it.

[JohnFA6]

Hey guys found this VCDS set- up is it any gd at £80 or is going for gendans £263 option better??

Link to copied products removed

Any help be great don't see point in paying £263 of this one at £80 will allow me to check for faults/clear, access hidden menu when I update to 5570 etc


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[Brycie]

Not a genuine product, so as you can see in the picture it comes with software on a CD, so it can't be updated as different versions of VCDS are released. If like in the situation of someone I know with a fake vcds cable the disc gets worn/damaged over time, you won't be able to load the software onto a new laptop. With a genuine cable, you'll always be able to download the software online.

[JohnFA6]

Ok and is there any where that does it cheaper? Just £263 is a fair wack of money?


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[Brycie]

The shopping section of Ross-Tech's own website lists one vcds cable at $349, which according to Google currency converter is £212. No idea what postage would be though, as it's an American site. There is a forum sponsor called NHN who supplies vcds, why not send him a PM to get a price.

[Doctle Odd]

It's the cost of 2 visits to a main dealer for a scan. £263.00 wouldn't replace a lost key it's small money to maintain a quality motor. Don't buy the cloned cable if it was the same as the Ross-Tech cable you could update it. Shop around you might save a small amount Gendan have a good reputation. Ross-Tech: Distributor List

[Eshrules]

Ok and is there any where that does it cheaper? Just £263 is a fair wack of money?


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can't fault any of the advice issued above.

only comment I'd add is if you think £263 for a diagnostic cable you'll use countless times throughout your ownership is expensive - wait until something goes wrong (because it will) - cars are not cheap, cars with 4 rings on their front grille even less so.