Vagcom cable choice?

**M4YTY** · 27-03-2007,10:59 PM

Hi, i wish to buy a cable to allow me to use vagcom or similar on my september 2003 passat TDI. Problem is which cable do i buy??? There is too many to choose from. There are pre and post CAN cables, HEX + CAN Which do i need because my car seems to be the model year when vag introduced CAN systems. I just want the cheapest one that will work. I have looked on the Rosstech and Gendan websites, and eBay, but can't make head nor tail of any of it!! Could one of you knowledgeable gents please point me in the right direction. Thanks in advance, Matty

**Lex Luthor** · 28-03-2007,09:35 AM

I have a 3rd party serial cable and have just used it on an '04 Passat TDI so I think you will be fine with a cheap one.
Get the one that suits the laptop connection, USB or serial.

**M4YTY** · 28-03-2007,05:03 PM

Originally Posted by Lex Luthor

I have a 3rd party serial cable and have just used it on an '04 Passat TDI so I think you will be fine with a cheap one.
Get the one that suits the laptop connection, USB or serial.

My laptop is USB but its all of this hex can mullarky I dont get.They say some cables dont work on newer cars but i dunno which one i need. I know i need a USB one but its the unterfaces that are different and im not sure which I need.HELP! Its got me heed done in! Cheers

**Lex Luthor** · 28-03-2007,05:40 PM

One of these will do: eBay item 230110452568

Your car is too early for CAN-BUSS

**Col** · 28-03-2007,07:44 PM

I've got and would say the hex-can usb would be the one.

It's going to be future proof for quite some time.

Without the hex-can you won't be able to touch a MK5 Golf, New Passat and the equivalent Audi's / Skodas / Seats etc.

The hex-can lead means you can use the latest versions of vagcom as well which are amazing compared to version 4 which is about all the dodgy ebay cables will run... if your lucky.

**guyg** · 28-03-2007,11:31 PM

Originally Posted by BigCol

The hex-can lead means you can use the latest versions of vagcom as well which are amazing compared to version 4 which is about all the dodgy ebay cables will run... if your lucky.

I agree this is the best product but it costs nearly £200.

If M4YTY hasn't got a CAN-BUS does he need to pay so much? I bought one of these on ebay for £14 inc p&p and it works fine with my 2001 Passat.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB..._promot_widget

If I need extra functionality, I can licence VAG-Com for around £60. It's still only v409, but do I need any more for a car of this age?

Cheers

Guy

**tyler** · 30-03-2007,08:08 PM

I downloaded 409 from rosstech, got the cheap blue cable off ebay and finally got the computer to recognise the interface. However before it will work on the car I need a registration/licence number. Is there a way of free registration or do I need to pay?

**onzarob** · 30-03-2007,08:25 PM

The freeware version is a reader only, if you want to modify anything you need to register.

but when VW charge and hours labour (£62.50+vat) to read the codes it will soon pay for itself.

I personlly don't think theres much advantage with newer versions for the home mechanic and if you find you need a newer version rosstech do an upgrade scheme.

Rob

**Huffy** · 01-04-2007,01:12 PM

I was wondering what people were running Vag -com on,as in operating system?? I bought a cable and plugged it into the laptop,running XP,but somewhere I read that Win 98 is better to use ,as its older tech,and also I have not been able to get the laptop to recognise the connection.