Coding tips tricks and advice

[PUTC]

I finally got my laptop and as going to try to do some coding in the next few weeks. First I’d like to do the Alpina mod than move on to adjusting some of the nannies. There are enough videos on you tube for that to go off of. What has a everyone else have going on and who has some tips to give out. Would like this thread to expand on some coding knowledge and experience using winKPF/Ediabas. I’ve downloaded it off of bimmer geeks.net and have most of it set up so far. Has anyone else used them to get the software? Is it complete? I think I still need to download the Daten file for my chassis but not sure. I’ve gotten to the point where I’ve installed and moved some files around, hooked up cable and have drivers installed. Went into advanced settings and adjusted parameters. What is everyone else’s thoughts on what tranny coding to do. I am an xi also. Thanks guys/gals

 

[doublespaces]

I have rheingold, but its incomplete because my wds is broken. Bimmergeeks has their new dongle coming out as well as some coding tricks baked in, it may do some of the things you're wanting.

 

[MacBB55]

what is the difference between Rheingold and inpa?

 

[doublespaces]

Rheingold is also known as ISTA which comes in two types, ISTA+P and ISTA+D

D is a diagnostic software. Everyone should have this in my opinion. P is a programming/coding software like INPA. However its much more complicated to install.

 

[MacBB55]

so in my case, I have a 04 525i would ISTA+D be useful to me in anyway or should I just stick with inpa and ediabas?

 

[Jeffman]

so in my case, I have a 04 525i would ISTA+D be useful to me in anyway or should I just stick with inpa and ediabas?

I took @doublespaces advice and installed Rheingold ISTA/D to be able to diagnose problems. It took me close to 4 hours to download, unpack, install etc. all of the components. There’s a really good YouTube video that shows you step by step:

I’ve used INPA on and off for about four years now. Although I have barely scratched the surface of ISTA/D I can see that INPA is 1980’s technology compared to Rheingold 2000’s technology.

 

[MacBB55]

awesome thanks, I think I am going to try ista/d for now as I learn everything else just so I can make sure im not throwing any codes the normal obd2 would have missed, with this software can you do the software update as well as tranny reset? im not 100percent sure im going to do either but just in case, also is it able to monitor sensors and things like inpa/ediabis?
sorry like I said I am a complete noob when it comes to all of this but I am very interested in my car

 

[Jeffman]

ISTA/D is only for diagnosing problems. This should monitor sensors, turn on/off things etc.
I think you’ll need ISTA/P to do any programming or coding. I haven’t tried that.

 

[NoQuarter]

On my 535 I am not able to use much of ISTA/D. I have retrofitted the Idrive knob/controller and SAT transmission shifter and I have an Instrument cluster from an M6.

Once ISTA identifies these I can't do anything diagnosis wise until I replace them it seems.

 

[Jeffman]

On my 535 I am not able to use much of ISTA/D. I have retrofitted the Idrive knob/controller and SAT transmission shifter and I have an Instrument cluster from an M6.

Once ISTA identifies these I can't do anything diagnosis wise until I replace them it seems.

Bummer!
I just have MHD and xHP flashed as major DME/TCU changes, along with some simple things coded like V= speedometer, fogs independent of high beams, etc. I was able to connect my ISTA/D. I haven’t checked if I can diagnose anything in my transmission with it. I guess we shall see.

 

[MacBB55]

ok thanks again, will having both inpa as well as istp-d on the same labtop cause any software problems? im thinking I will use ista to read any codes or past codes in the meantime while im learning to use inpa, ediabas, winfk and I know im forgetting at least one lol

 

[Jeffman]

I don’t believe there is a problem having them both on the same laptop. Maybe the YouTube video cautioned against having both applications open at the same time?

 

[MacBB55]

yea I wouldn't have them open at the same time, I could probably get away with leaving inpa as a zipped file an use the other for the codes and such while I learn inpa, ect.. I want to know as much as I can before I hook my car up to anything that I can accidently mess it up not quite knowing what I am doing. I don't think there are many things I can really code/program for my car since it is only a 2004 an early, we're talking 01/04 early lol) I will only be able to code, atm, hopefully the digital speedo, I think ill need to do a new battery sooner than later, it would be cool to do folding mirriors but from what I understand my car is a lil to early for that. I would like to look into updating the software, maybe adding navigation or at least replacing the aux plug in the glove box with a usb plug in, but I cant think of anything other than that but Im sure I will come across more I try to read anything that looks like it maybe relevant.

 

[langsbr]

What kind of coding does INSTA+P do that NCSExpert doesn't? All of the coding that I've done has been in NCSExpert.

 

[MacBB55]

im not to sure about that, if I was to take a guess I would say it is probably pretty much the same when it comes to what coding you can or cant do to your car, I would think maybe the only difference would be what model cars one or the other could code. this is just a guess tho so don't take my word for it im still very much in the learning curve when it comes to this subject.

 

[MacBB55]

**Update**
well I managed to get my cable & car to connect, finally lol, it took a bit of reading but I was able to get the software working to, so far the only thing I have done with inpa is read my error codes, well past because I have no current codes being thrown at all, I was able to find a list of the module ackranims but I haven't been able to find a sit or file that will help me to decode the codes that have been thrown, does anyone know a decent one? Also if anyone knows a good how to when it comes to inpa, ediabas, winfpk, and whatever other program that comes with standard tools so I can learn how to do more than just check my codes lol

 

[Jeffman]

Now that you’ve just spent hours setting it all up, go check out ProTools by Bimmergeeks. https://www.bimmergeeksprotool.com/product-page

 

[MacBB55]

ok, thanks

 

[MacBB55]

what exactly is pro tools lol

*****OOOPPPSS
maybe I should have checked the link before asking lol, im thinking about either getting this or just using inpa on my surface since it would be easier than taking my laptop for a dirve in the car.