[cramsnik]

I'm considering purchasing Bimmerlink, I've had a search on the subject and I'm left wondering how reliable the app is.

Anybody else using it, or is there a better alternative that won't break the bank?

TIA

[Panchoa]

I’ve got it and for basic coding like beep on lock / unlock, folding mirrors on lock, etc it’s very good and reliable. I’ve had no issues with it

[Stainy]

Originally Posted by Panchoa

I’ve got it and for basic coding like beep on lock / unlock, folding mirrors on lock, etc it’s very good and reliable. I’ve had no issues with it

Sounds suspiciously like Bimmercode? From what I've read, Bimmerlink is more diagnostics (I use Ista / Esys)

[anielsen71]

Originally Posted by Panchoa

I've got it and for basic coding like beep on lock / unlock, folding mirrors on lock, etc it's very good and reliable. I've had no issues with it

Hi there
You are talking about BimmerCode not bimmerlink.
I think bimmerlink is worth it.
I use it to keep an eye on the temps on inlet, exhaust, transmission and engine.
Found out that when the gauge in the cluster is showing 100 c degrees on the oil temp, it's actually only aprox 75....

[GEP77]

Bimmerlink is to maintenance as BimmerCode is to coding.

Bimmerlink is also the ideal companion to the data nerd in all of us. Real time data is very handy some of the time. For instance if you change the oil in the ZF8 gearbox.

[BBri89]

BimmerCode = coding

BimmerLink = diagnostics & data


I've got both, BimmerLink is great for fault code reading and resetting, can force a DPF regen, as well read all the sensor values (oils, fuels, air pressure/temps etc) and I think you can record data logs too.
I've had a number of TPMS issues which it's great to be able to read the particular fault then delete it, and see what comes back, rather than guessing, or wondering if its a recent code or an old code.

I feel it was worth the money.

[cramsnik]

Thanks all, it is Bimmerlink I'm asking about. I already have Bimmercode and agree it's decent.

I read a couple of posts, one here and one on another forum about the dpf regen not always being the most reliable.

[BBri89]

Originally Posted by cramsnik

Thanks all, it is Bimmerlink I'm asking about. I already have Bimmercode and agree it's decent.

I read a couple of posts, one here and one on another forum about the dpf regen not always being the most reliable.

Never tried a regen (haven't needed to) so can't comment on that.

[Thewrench86]

I've got bimmerlink its been fantastic in helping diagnose problems, also clearing codes when u remove fuses etc sometimes, it really helped. highly recommend it.

[scotsman335dxDrive]

Yip, I have had Bimmercode for ages and now i have Bimmerlink since it was released for Android. Excellent for keeping an eye on your DPF as well as the usual fault clearing and diagnostics. Well happy and great quick support from Stephan, i`d recommend it.

[martynz]

Hi, Can someone please confirm if BimmerLink can read all fault codes as they appear in ISTAD?

I have seen many OBD scanner apps and they don't show all codes. When you scan your car with ISTAD then all fault codes are visible.

[roundy]

Can Bimmerlink give you battery health info or an indication if it's on the way out?

[un1eash]

Originally Posted by roundy

Can Bimmerlink give you battery health info or an indication if it's on the way out?

The free version will tell you the battery charge % and last time it was replaced. Recently used it as my battery was dropping to 60% disabling stop start. Full version can register a new battery.

[Allworth]

Originally Posted by roundy

Can Bimmerlink give you battery health info or an indication if it's on the way out?

It shows battery capacity (Ah) which you can read on the battery
It shows state of charge in %

Additionally it lets you register new battery.

[Allworth]

Originally Posted by martynz

Hi, Can someone please confirm if BimmerLink can read all fault codes as they appear in ISTAD?

I have seen many OBD scanner apps and they don't show all codes. When you scan your car with ISTAD then all fault codes are visible.

As I do not have an experience with IstaD I can not compare, but if it helps below are few images from BimmerLink for error read

[TurboWeasel]

I have Bimmerlink, Bimmercode and ISTA+.

I know my way round all of them pretty well and I use the Bimmer' apps the most

Bimmerlink is superb if you want to monitor sensor values in real time using the dashboard app. Just stick your phone on the screen with a holder and it's excellent for that. It's not very laggy either (in spite of bluetooth, which is sh1te for data bandwidth) like a lot of other cheap generic code readers, which is important when monitoring highly dynamic sensors like MAP, MAF and O2.

If you have a diesel, it's particularly useful for monitoring the pre and post DPF pressure differential, which tells you a good deal more than simply if it's requested a regen or not In any case, it's also good for that as it regens occur every 1000km, and it tells when the last one was requested etc etc.

Another good one to monitor is requested and actual boost pressures, which will give you an indication if you have leaking bayonet O rings in the boost pipes.

Bimmercode is great for simple coding, and it and Bimmerlink are both reliable.

If you want the full nerd out and more in-depth diagnosis, and better translation of the codes, then ISTA is for you. Bimmerlink's code translation isn't as good as ISTA's, and a lot of spurious junk BL reports in the error memory simply doesn't show up in ISTA at all.

ISTA also has repair manuals built in, which is another plus point.

The only issue with ISTA is it's laptop only, or maybe a tablet, which isn't as good for real time monitoring as looking at the laptop on the passenger seat whilst driving is dangerous.

I think BL, BC and the dongle was around £100, which is a bargain imo.

Another plus for BC is coding with ISTA P and/or E-SYS can be sketchy, and you can brick a module if you're not careful....hence why it's dealer level and not for DIY really, but BC just works

[martynz]

Originally Posted by Allworth

As I do not have an experience with IstaD I can not compare, but if it helps below are few images from BimmerLink for error read

Thanks for the screenshots!

[martynz]

Originally Posted by TurboWeasel

I have Bimmerlink, Bimmercode and ISTA+.

I know my way round all of them pretty well and I use the Bimmer' apps the most

Bimmerlink is superb if you want to monitor sensor values in real time using the dashboard app. Just stick your phone on the screen with a holder and it's excellent for that. It's not very laggy either (in spite of bluetooth, which is sh1te for data bandwidth) like a lot of other cheap generic code readers, which is important when monitoring highly dynamic sensors like MAP, MAF and O2.

If you have a diesel, it's particularly useful for monitoring the pre and post DPF pressure differential, which tells you a good deal more than simply if it's requested a regen or not In any case, it's also good for that as it regens occur every 1000km, and it tells when the last one was requested etc etc.

Another good one to monitor is requested and actual boost pressures, which will give you an indication if you have leaking bayonet O rings in the boost pipes.

Bimmercode is great for simple coding, and it and Bimmerlink are both reliable.

If you want the full nerd out and more in-depth diagnosis, and better translation of the codes, then ISTA is for you. Bimmerlink's code translation isn't as good as ISTA's, and a lot of spurious junk BL reports in the error memory simply doesn't show up in ISTA at all.

ISTA also has repair manuals built in, which is another plus point.

The only issue with ISTA is it's laptop only, or maybe a tablet, which isn't as good for real time monitoring as looking at the laptop on the passenger seat whilst driving is dangerous.

I think BL, BC and the dongle was around £100, which is a bargain imo.

Another plus for BC is coding with ISTA P and/or E-SYS can be sketchy, and you can brick a module if you're not careful....hence why it's dealer level and not for DIY really, but BC just works

Thank you for the detailed analysis and explanation! That helps!

[jinjur]

What adapter is everyone using with BL or is it locked to the ones they suggest?

J

[martynz]

Originally Posted by jinjur

What adapter is everyone using with BL or is it locked to the ones they suggest?

J

I have both and they work great.

OBDLink MX+ Bluetooth

UniCarScan UCSI-2100 Bluetooth

I recommend staying away from cheap ELM327 adapters or clones which don't work. More headaches that will waste your time.

[un1eash]

I have a Vgate Pro BLE 4.0 but lent it to a friend so have been using my 10 year old ELM327 adapter that cost me £8 and it works.
There are different versions of the ELM327 though and my friend bought one that didn't work on his Audi but mine did.

[TurboWeasel]

I use the Vpeak one, which is in the list of Bimmerlink/Code supported dongles. It works great.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Veepeak-OBD...a-809055141793