Help Choosing a Diagnostic/coding tool

[Kn0bSh0t]

Hi All.

Recently bought a 08 A6 Avante. Loving it so far, i sorted out my MMI issue by bypassing the phone module which decided to go for a swim. 

A couple other things I need doing which all require some sort of coding/hidden menu access, will list what I want to do below and then the 2 options I am looking at. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

1. Bought an AMI, as I understand it might need some code change in order to work.

2. New battery ordered, need to register it in order to change charging etc...

3. PDC (Rear only) I want to enable the visual display

4. General error code diag and clearing/sorting out.

I am looking at either of the following:

1. Carista Evo

2. OBDEleven

I have very limited experience with these devices/procedures but am a well versed tech guy so figuring it out wont be difficult.

If anyone could point me in the right direction or offer alternatives, I would highly appeciate it.

and finally, this forum has been amazing for me for the past 2 weeks with sorting out teething issues, best A6 C6 content ive come across! 

[Stevey Y]

5 hours ago, Kn0bSh0t said:

Hi All.

Recently bought a 08 A6 Avante. Loving it so far, i sorted out my MMI issue by bypassing the phone module which decided to go for a swim. 

A couple other things I need doing which all require some sort of coding/hidden menu access, will list what I want to do below and then the 2 options I am looking at. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

1. Bought an AMI, as I understand it might need some code change in order to work.

2. New battery ordered, need to register it in order to change charging etc...

3. PDC (Rear only) I want to enable the visual display

4. General error code diag and clearing/sorting out.

I am looking at either of the following:

1. Carista Evo

2. OBDEleven

I have very limited experience with these devices/procedures but am a well versed tech guy so figuring it out wont be difficult.

If anyone could point me in the right direction or offer alternatives, I would highly appeciate it.

and finally, this forum has been amazing for me for the past 2 weeks with sorting out teething issues, best A6 C6 content ive come across! 

Hi either of those platforms are good but the OBDEleven will have the edge but is becoming expensive with the subscriptions and token scheme, if you can run to VCDS that is the best and if you only want single VIN it works out cheaper in the long run, being a cable operated device it connects faster and wont rely on bluetooth where both the others do and you can end up in pooh creek if the WIFI is not that good where you are.

Steve.

[Kn0bSh0t]

11 minutes ago, Stevey Y said:

Hi either of those platforms are good but the OBDEleven will have the edge but is becoming expensive with the subscriptions and token scheme, if you can run to VCDS that is the best and if you only want single VIN it works out cheaper in the long run, being a cable operated device it connects faster and wont rely on bluetooth where both the others do and you can end up in pooh creek if the WIFI is not that good where you are.

Steve.

thanks for the reply Steve. I do want VCDS, its just the initial outlay of funds that is a problem right now. So looking at either of these two. Question about the credits etc... do you need to purchase them in order to use the device to its full capability (or at least to what i want it to do)?

[Stevey Y]

21 hours ago, Kn0bSh0t said:

thanks for the reply Steve. I do want VCDS, its just the initial outlay of funds that is a problem right now. So looking at either of these two. Question about the credits etc... do you need to purchase them in order to use the device to its full capability (or at least to what i want it to do)?

Hi yes you do need to buy credits, just the hundred will do the job, plus the subscription otherwise any changes you want to make you just get a big padlock in red saying thats not allowed, if as you say you are good with tech a mate of mine said there is a cloned version of VCDS floating around on the web which covers cars of your age might be worth looking at as I have used his version a few times on cars he has been working on and its pretty much the same as my kosher version except it baulks out on some complex long coding whereas my version wont, cost him £60 for the cable but you dont get all that subscription Cr@p.

Steve.