The BMW E46 generation of the popular 3 Series from the Bavarian automaker is gaining a following, and as the proud owner of one, you will naturally want to know its health status, understand any error codes that pop up, as well as even venture into the world of personalization through coding. These can be done with the increasingly popular array of BMW E46 diagnostic tools available. A few years ago, there were only a handful of devices, but now, there is a large selection, ranging from external, dedicated devices to smartphone apps. So let us clarify some points regarding diagnostic devices and help you identify the best one for your precious Bimmer.
So which BMW E46 diagnostic tool is best? The Carly app with the associated Carly Scanner is recommended as a diagnostic device for your BMW E46. Carly has a specialized focus on BMW and can therefore detect far more than conventional diagnostic devices. In addition, Carly offers a wide gamut of functions that extend beyond diagnostics. For example, you can use the Carly Used Car Check to identify potential odometer manipulation or personalize certain aspects of your BMW E46 through the coding function. The Carly Universal OBD Scanner can be purchased on the official Carly website for €59.90. The Carly app costs between €21–€80 per year and is available on the Apple App Store or Android Play Store. There is also the Carly lite app that allows you use the standard OBD features.
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This article serves to provide you with the most essential information that you might require and with a deeper insight into the world of diagnostic devices. And, at the end of the article, we will also give you a special tip!
What Is a Diagnostic Device Anyway?
While some people may know what a diagnostic device is, let’s dedicate a paragraph to explain it for those who do not know. Basically, a diagnostics device is a device that can connect to a car’s on-board systems and control units via the OBD interface. OBD stands for on-board diagnostics. OBD1 was the initial standard that was introduced in the USA around the early eighties. It was not standardized, so manufacturers tended to create their own iterations. Then the standardized OBD2 interface widely replaced OBD1 by 2001 (gasoline vehicles) and 2004 (diesel vehicles). Every car produced in the EU since then has a standard OBD port located in the car, typically near the steering wheel, driver’s side door, or beneath the dash. Your vehicle’s manual will specify the location of the OBD port on your model, or a quick internet search will reveal it.
Initially, OBD was only intended for exhaust-gas-related systems to monitor vehicular emissions and indicate issues with the emissions control systems. However, it quickly became apparent that it could also be used for other things such as coding. In addition, as the OBD2 interface became standardized across manufacturers, OBD2 diagnostic devices have gained a level of popularity that they would not otherwise have attained.
With the help of an OBD2 diagnostic device, the on-board control units can be read out and analyzed. The control units in today’s cars are as diverse as the car brands themselves. As technology is reaching deeper and deeper within today’s cars, the systems that monitor and control it are also developing. Modern cars, especially from the upper and mid ranges of the premium brands, can have over 100 control units, making it easy to lose track of where an error may occur. An OBD device helps summarize all the data and clearly displays and explains the error in some devices. In order to collect the information, the data and values stored in the control units are read out and presented to you. The errors found in it will then be displayed on your device or converted into error codes. However, it must be noted that the error is not displayed directly but instead, only the code of the error. Then you can identify the meaning of the error codes on the internet, or your device might be sophisticated enough to offer an explanation. In that case, you can manually delete them from the system — provided that they are minor. However, this requires a certain amount of knowledge, as deleting errors must be done with care, as you might inadvertently clear a fault that can be warning you of potentially significant issues down the line.
Of course, you can drive to a workshop and have the problem fixed there, but it will cost you. Nowadays, prices typically run to around €30 for a diagnosis, with associated costs increasing should you wish to have a minor problem fixed. If you’re the owner of an E46 3 Series, then you’ll want to visit a workshop that is competent with BMW, you cannot just drive to the Audi dealer down the street. But, when it comes to diagnostic devices, many can handle different manufacturers, making them truly versatile if you have multiple vehicles from varying brands.
What Are the Differences between BMW E46 Diagnostic Tools?
Now that we have a basic knowledge of OBD and OBD2 devices, we can focus on the various functions of those devices. If you have already done some research on the topic, you may have noticed the difference in price too. As varied as the manufacturers’ offerings are, their prices can differ significantly. You can save a lot of time, money, and energy if you know what will best fit your requirement. While the basic functionality is standard across all diagnostic devices, there are differences in the user interfaces, extended function set, and compatibility across multiple brands.
- The user interface pertains to the overview, language, and ease of use. Some devices may be very user-friendly and intuitive to use, and you may be at ease in a short time span without needing to refer to the instructions. It may also be tempting to try out the extended functions, but you should first read up on these, as it’s best not to try tasks that you are not familiar with until you have had a chance to understand them. Reading the user manual for these is always a good idea
When making a purchase decision, you should also pay particular attention to the availability of your language. There are both monolingual and multilingual devices. If you have found a suitable device in your language, it is not critical to buy a multilingual device unless you absolutely require one, which will cost more.
- Some of the devices offer unique features that others may not have. For example, the number of control units that can be read out can vary. In this case, what you choose depends on your individual need and preference. With this article, you should gain enough knowledge of what suits you and your car best. Then you can just take a look at a few different devices and compare them.
- A crucial point is the compatibility of the device with different manufacturers. As previously discussed, OBD2 is the standard interface on all cars manufactured since 2001 (gasoline) and 2004 (diesel). But things may be very different under the hood. For example, an Apple MacBook and an Asus Vivobook are both laptop computers at a superficial glance. They can perform the same broad range of requirements, such as internet browsing, watching videos, and tackling office work. However, there are significant differences under the surface, mainly in terms of the software which they use, and a user of one may need to learn the other in order to achieve the same level of functionality and productivity.
It’s no different with cars. The on-board electronics are just computers, albeit on wheels. In addition to the manufacturers, it may also be that some models are supported, and some are not, but this is only the case if your car was built before 2001 (gasoline) or 2004 (diesel). If so, it’s best to stop by a workshop — they are simply better equipped to advise you if you’re unsure where to start with selecting a BMW E46 diagnostic tool. By the way, if you choose a diagnostic device that requires software on a laptop, ensure that the software is compatible with your laptop’s operating system.
Dedicated Diagnostic Device vs. Software
Now, we delve into the various avenues you can use to diagnose your car via a diagnostic device. Some diagnostic devices are stand-alone, others are in the form of software that you may run on your laptop PC (unless you happen to have a desktop PC in your garage), and software apps that run on smartphones. Let us explain all the options, and the choice is yours!
OBD2 via Dedicated BMW E46 Diagnostic Tool
A dedicated BMW E46 diagnostic tool is a stand-alone piece of hardware that uses a cable to connect to the OBD2 port on your BMW E46. Some devices will come with the cable, while some may require you to purchase it for a few extra euros. These devices can be limited in options, which is not necessarily a bad thing, depending on your requirement.
They can vary widely in price based on attributes such as screen size and feature set. Basic ones can be quite small and handy to carry around in your car. A commercially available, average OBD2 device doesn’t need anything apart from itself and the cable. However, they do not offer a broad or sophisticated range of extra features. They may, at most, present the error codes in plain text. You will therefore need to perform some additional research to understand the error and the root causes.
If you only plan to read error codes, such a device can be of use to you. However, if you want to engage in coding or other advanced functions, these can be very limiting. Some devices can perform advanced features, but they can be very costly, extending into thousands of Euros for workshop-level gear.
OBD2 via Software
Instead of using specific a BMW E46 diagnostic tool using OBD2 via software can be accomplished through a laptop or smartphone, connected through a cable, or wirelessly. The mechanic or motivated private owner will purchase and install the software on a computer and connect it to the car’s OBD2 port via the cable. It is prudent to check that the chosen software is compatible with your computer’s operating system — Windows or Apple. Once you have downloaded, installed, and configured the software, you’re likely rewarded with a powerful interface where you can not only read out and view errors but engage in advanced functions such as coding and deleting. It is a veritable rabbit hole that you will find yourself enthralled by, as one would be with any new hobby.
Furthermore, you will spend less money at workshops. As you gain knowledge and competence, you can find, evaluate, and fix errors directly from your laptop. However, a word of caution: you should only perform such once you truly understand what you are doing. Deleting relevant error codes without fixing the underlying issues can cause severe problems down the line. This is where you may want to consult a professional’s assistance if unsure — they’ll have some tips for you. There’s another glaring disadvantage with this solution, too, in that you effectively need to carry your laptop and cable with you whenever you wish to check for errors or evaluate one if the check engine light comes on while you’re driving.
Now we come to what we think is the best of the solutions and the price-performance winner. There is the option to have OBD2 compatible software on your smartphone. You always carry your smartphone with you, after all. This is how Carly works, and the best thing is, you can leave the cable at home in favor of a wireless connection with the Carly Universal OBD Scanner.
So how does that work with the smartphone? The Carly Scanner has to plug into the OBD2 port of your car. You can buy it on their website for €59.90. You then download the Carly app on your mobile phone. There is a free version of the app which offers basic OBD functionality. Or you can purchase all features, and this costs between €21–€80 per year, depending on your chosen version, and works with Apple iOS and Android devices. Using BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), you can now connect your mobile phone and the Carly app with the Carly Universal OBD Scanner. BLE allows your mobile phone to automatically connects to the device without you having to search for it in the Bluetooth device list. Practical, isn’t it? The Carly Universal Scanner can be left plugged into the OBD2 port of your vehicle, which is helpful if you like to monitor vehicle parameters in real-time or pop it in your glove box when not in use.
The app gives you the same advanced features that you could enjoy with software for a laptop, including in-depth analysis of the data, error codes for every control unit, and the ability to fix everything again. In addition, Carly gives you access to a gamut of features that your car still has to offer, which are typically pre-installed by the manufacturer but not activated, although this may vary dependigng on the manufacturer. The act of unlocking these and otherwise personalizing certain aspects of your car is called coding. Examples of coding would be enabling the car to automatically close all windows upon locking your vehicle with the key fob, disabling the start-stop feature every time you start your car, personalizing your turn signal flashing sequence when locking or unlocking, multiple lighting settings, and more. You can also monitor specific parameters of your vehicle in real-time. We’re only scratching the surface here — there is so much more available with coding. Of course, it will vary from car to car, and older models may have less customizable aspects. You can download the Carly app from the relevant app stores for free to evaluate the feature set and get a feel for Carly.
Carly also offers a special feature that is useful for anyone purchasing a used car. The Carly Used Car Check can check for odometer manipulation, which is an alarmingly common phenomenon on used cars. Upon running the “Used Car Check” on a chosen vehicle, it queries all control units and compares the results, flagging any discrepancies.
So, Which Diagnostic Tool Is Best For the BMW E46?
If you are looking for a diagnostic device for a specific make of vehicle, your search is already limited.You might purchase one, only to find out that it doesn’t work, and it may be hard to return it and get your money back.
Thankfully, Carly can read out vehicle data for most German cars, including the BMW E46 (and most other BMWs). Carly is the best all-round program for the majority of German vehicles, as well as other brands. We highly recommend giving Carly a try, as it is an exceptional app in this space. Have a look at Carly’s website, download the Carly app, and you might be amazed at what Carly can do for your car. If you’re looking for a BMW E46 diagnostic tool, then look no further.