Difference between BimmerCODE & BimmerLINK and ODB2 dongle suggestions

[accidentalyEV]

I have seen BimmerCODE here and there on this forum the last 2 years and recently saw BimmerLINK. My factory warranty just expired and I want to purchase software (APP) and a ODB2 dongle to get familiar with troubleshooting and repairing my I3 as much as possible on my own. I would appreciate any advice along with suggestions on a ODB2 dongle for both BimmerCODE & BimmerLINK. Thanks in advance!

 

[alohart]

I've been using a Vgate iCar 2 OBD to WiFi adapter since 2017 with BimmerCode and more recently with BimmerLink, eFlow, and mi3 (iOS-only). It has always worked well and is one of the least expensive OBD adapters. I'm not aware of any advantage to buying a more expensive adapter. If you are in the U.S., Amazon sells it.

 

[kd7iwp]

I have a VeePeak adapter and I like it since it uses Bluetooth. Connects automatically in the BimmerCode app and I don’t have to switch WiFi networks. Also lets me simultaneously use WiFi for internet. Heck, my phone can keep running CarPlay to play my podcast while in the car coding.

 

[dhdh]

I've got the OBDLink CX. Works great with Bimmercode. https://www.obdlink.com/products/obdlink-cx/

 

[808Pants]

I started with a VeePeak, and in part because I thought it seemed really slow - and then ran into this video that attested to high speed of the ethernet option - I returned it and went with an ethernet adapter. Though I'm still a rank newb in terms of even diagnosing (getting error codes recorded), I do believe that at least in the case of the i3, you can't leave the adapter in place and secure the car - your alarm will start blaring within a few seconds of locking.

What I don't know is whether you could drive with it in place, and if yes, whether that's ever useful. If that were the case, it might be nice not to have a cable in the footwell.

 

[alohart]

I do believe that at least in the case of the i3, you can't leave the adapter in place and secure the car - your alarm will start blaring within a few seconds of locking.

I'm not sure how long after shutting off an i3 with an OBD dongle plugged in that the alarm sounds. Hawaiʻi ran a pilot program to learn how feasible basing annual registration fees on distance driven might be. I joined this pilot program which involved leaving an OBD to cellular adapter plugged in. This adapter would send odometer readings periodically (monthly?) to the pilot program administrator. I told the administrator that leaving an OBD dongle plugged in would trigger an i3's burglar alarm. I was told that they were aware of this and had worked around it. I never heard the alarm, but I was notified that the alarm had been triggered during the night, more than a fews seconds after I had shut off our i3. I told the administrator that I could disable the OBD alarm via coding but that they should not expect all i3 owners to do that and that doing so could be a security risk. I was given the option of sending a photo of my odometer to the administrator monthly.

What I don't know is whether you could drive with it in place, and if yes, whether that's ever useful. If that were the case, it might be nice not to have a cable in the footwell.

The alarm shouldn't be triggered while an i3 is on.

Some OBD scanners can display live sensor readings. However, I can't think of any sensors other than some REx engine sensors that provide live data. It seems that mi3 and eFlow poll for a datum and wait until that datum is returned before polling for the next datum, so a driver would be pretty distracted watching the app slowly display updated data over and over. Doesn't seem too useful although maybe others have a different experience.

 

[kd7iwp]

I also have a dongle (I think it says “Thor” on it) from MHD that I used for flashing a tune to the N54 engine in my E61 and it uses WiFi. Both worked the same for me and I didn’t see a speed difference. One nice thing about the Thor module is it also works with BimmerUtility and now when I’m coding things I can do it from inside my house with the car in the garage.

 

[808Pants]

I also have a dongle (I think it says “Thor” on it) from MHD that I used for flashing a tune to the N54 engine in my E61 and it uses WiFi. Both worked the same for me and I didn’t see a speed difference. One nice thing about the Thor module is it also works with BimmerUtility and now when I’m coding things I can do it from inside my house with the car in the garage.

D'oh! I shoulda bought the 50' ethernet cable!

 

[808Pants]

I'm not sure how long after shutting off an i3 with an OBD dongle plugged in that the alarm sounds. Hawaiʻi ran a pilot program to learn how feasible basing annual registration fees on distance driven might be. I joined this pilot program which involved leaving an OBD to cellular adapter plugged in. This adapter would send odometer readings periodically (monthly?) to the pilot program administrator. I told the administrator that leaving an OBD dongle plugged in would trigger an i3's burglar alarm. I was told that they were aware of this and had worked around it. I never heard the alarm, but I was notified that the alarm had been triggered during the night, more than a fews seconds after I had shut off our i3. I told the administrator that I could disable the OBD alarm via coding but that they should not expect all i3 owners to do that and that doing so could be a security risk. I was given the option of sending a photo of my odometer to the administrator monthly.

The alarm shouldn't be triggered while an i3 is on.

Some OBD scanners can display live sensor readings. However, I can't think of any sensors other than some REx engine sensors that provide live data. It seems that mi3 and eFlow poll for a datum and wait until that datum is returned before polling for the next datum, so a driver would be pretty distracted watching the app slowly display updated data over and over. Doesn't seem too useful although maybe others have a different experience.

Ah, I recall you writing about that road-tax data-gather test, now.

My anecdotal experience was that I couldn't get more than a few steps away from the i3 after arming with the fob before the alarm-party started. I was baffled, but since the only thing new to the scene was the VeePeak dongle, I pulled it out, and...no more false alarm.