Newer Cars with Electrics...DIY

EIREHotspur

As I am going to take the plunge and go with Audi Cars from here on out....
I have sourced a place to get Diagnostic Software & Hardware.
Can ordinary Joe Soaps still do the oil changes and work if you can steer them to the problem?

While I am at it....anyone know the best deals for Audi spares here or UK?

Fked if I am goin to be scr*wed over by dealers rates.

Neilw

Four your audi you will need VCDS (vag-com), it's a free download but a genuine cable is around $350. As for spares, dealers in Northern Ireland a far cheaper and I would order from them. There used to be vag-parts but I think they have gone bust.

maidhc

There is no real need to have diagnostic software and so forth for modern cars if you are doing your own DIY.

Changing the oil, brakes, and suspension bits is still pretty much the same. If something goes wrong that needs diagnostic equipment, then, chances are you will need to enlist the help of a specialist to repair it.

EIREHotspur

Thanks for that lads.....but if you have lights goin off and know frig all about cars and want to be self sufficient as possible.....then I want my own diagnostics.
I don't want to go and pay 100 to a guy to tell me the light was just coming on cause it is a loose cap somewhere.

I read about the Vag.com one but there is a dearer better alternative.....Ross-Tech.

mickdw

For normal servicing, things are still the same. After all, the dealers just change the oil and filters just like you would. For problems re running faults and warning lights, the vag com is a great piece of gear. It gives very good diagnostic results and would be good enough for any independant garage even.
Overall, I would say go ahead with the servicing yourself and if the car starts throwing up any fault at any stage, then consider buying the vag com cable. The cost of the cable wouldnt go far at a main dealer. I thinking of getting one myself and it may be an idea to buy the cable between a few mates or whatever. great thing to have.
Just to be clear, you rarely need this cable to reset the service light and most vw/audi give instructions in the manual on how to do it.
Another point of interest, if you are buying a relatively new audi, it may have the electronic handbrake. These systems must be wound back electrically when fitting new pads etc. I think vag com can do this also but not 100% sure

maidhc

EIREHotspur wrote: »

Thanks for that lads.....but if you have lights goin off and know frig all about cars and want to be self sufficient as possible.....then I want my own diagnostics.
I don't want to go and pay 100 to a guy to tell me the light was just coming on cause it is a loose cap somewhere.

I read about the Vag.com one but there is a dearer better alternative.....Ross-Tech.

I take your point, but I'm not convinced having the diagnostics will help you.

If you know "frig all" about cars, then it is a fallacy to think a computer will tell you that a cap is loose.

Certainly in my car ownership experience I have only once come across a problem that required diagnostics, and that problem required that a main dealer upload a revised ECU map to cure the problem. Lifewise if yougo diesel the chances are any error will be due to the fueling system which does not led itself to DIYers.

Most problems still manifest themselves as bangs, knocks and rattles.

Rovi

EIREHotspur wrote: »

I read about the Vag.com one but there is a dearer better alternative.....Ross-Tech.

VAG-COM is Ross-Tech-
http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/index.html

Simow

If there is a problem with the car the software, 90% of the time is not going to tell you exactly what the problem is. It normally points the mechanic in the general direction but a mechanical knowledge of the cars mechanicals and electronics is needed to fix the problem.

EIREHotspur

Oh frig....ok Ravi thanks.

To Simow.....that information just makes me think of an old saying Of Gabby Johnson's on Blazing Saddles.

Oh Prairie Sh!t.

Back to the drawing Board so.