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.

 

[ksnax]

DeepOBD and performance apps like Torque do provide live information from the dongle while driving. While it could be useful for diagnosis, I couldn't find any reason to integrate it as any type of regular display.

I believe the problem with these triggering the alarm is probably from a constant power draw on the port since the 12V it connects to is not switched off. That is probably solvable, but the only way I can come up with would be to wire a switch into that circuit - and I know that I would absolutely forget to switch it off on a regular basis.

 

[ksnax]

Also should note that I have both the WiFi and Bluetooth Veepeak adapters, and wifi was more of a pain to deal with logistically for connection while driving if using one's main phone is the goal, as that messes with streaming ability with no internet connection. Bluetooth avoids that issue when audio is routed through either a hardline or Wifi.

 

[Mondomensch]

I remember reading that having a Bluetooth OBD adapter connected while driving would allow the mi3 app (?) to communicate with the abrp route planner app in real time to base route planning on live battery state info.

 

[alohart]

I believe the problem with these triggering the alarm is probably from a constant power draw on the port since the 12V it connects to is not switched off. That is probably solvable, but the only way I can come up with would be to wire a switch into that circuit - and I know that I would absolutely forget to switch it off on a regular basis.

The OBD alarm can be disabled by changing the value of a Roof Function Center (FZD) parameter:

3002->OBD-Alarm: set to nicht aktiv