Another "what VCDS setup do I need" thread - Advice needed...

dj_efk

dj_efk

A2OC Donor
United-Kingdom
Hello all,

I'm an Amateur home-tinkerer and when I finally find "my" A2 to buy, I'll have two VAG vehicles in the family (as I currently own a 2016 MY VW Touran too). I therefore want to buy a version that can be used on both vehicles (plus a few more as I like to buy and sell occaisionally), however I'm not entirely sure of the best version to buy as I understand I could go fake cable plus VCDS lite, all the way through to unlimited VIN HEX-V2 USB or HEX NET (if I wanted wireless).

If I buy a genuine cable I would go for secondhand as I'm on a budget.

So assuming that in terms of usage, I will want to read and clear codes and do the odd bit of tinkering (e.g. switching features on/off etc.), what do I need - and with the version being suggested, what are the pro's and con's (as in, what can I / can't I do with it)? Can anyone do a quick reel-off of the different options?

I've had a look at the Gendan Website VCDS Setup Chooser which is helpful as a starting point but ultimately doesn't give the detailed run-down I'm after - and obviously doesn't cover the non-genuine routes. To be clear, I'd rather go for a used, genuine setup - however I believe from a cursory search on here others have stated this may not be necessary.

Thanks!
 
For the A2 due to its age it is possible to get away with a eBay special £5 cable and an unregistered version of vcds- it will let you do most of what you want and if you need adaptation then you always register it
How ever this will not work your latter vag car so you would need a registered version
The latter cables are vin locked. To either 3 vin’s or 10 vin’s or unlimited
Each being able to be upgraded as you need
Only the coding options lock in the use of a vin so basic fault reading and clearing doesn’t use a vin

With a genuine cable you also get the support and ability to upgrade vcds to the latest std and upgrade the firmware in the cable
The earlier cables which are all unlimited vin sell for a premium now so expect to pay in the region of £350

Paul


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
dj_efk said:
Hello all,

I'm an Amateur home-tinkerer and when I finally find "my" A2 to buy, I'll have two VAG vehicles in the family (as I currently own a 2016 MY VW Touran too). I therefore want to buy a version that can be used on both vehicles (plus a few more as I like to buy and sell occaisionally), however I'm not entirely sure of the best version to buy as I understand I could go fake cable plus VCDS lite, all the way through to unlimited VIN HEX-V2 USB or HEX NET (if I wanted wireless).

If I buy a genuine cable I would go for secondhand as I'm on a budget.

So assuming that in terms of usage, I will want to read and clear codes and do the odd bit of tinkering (e.g. switching features on/off etc.), what do I need - and with the version being suggested, what are the pro's and con's (as in, what can I / can't I do with it)? Can anyone do a quick reel-off of the different options?

I've had a look at the Gendan Website VCDS Setup Chooser which is helpful as a starting point but ultimately doesn't give the detailed run-down I'm after - and obviously doesn't cover the non-genuine routes. To be clear, I'd rather go for a used, genuine setup - however I believe from a cursory search on here others have stated this may not be necessary.

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Hi ,
I think if you go eBay special route you will only be able to use the VCDS-lite freeware giving limited use & will not be able to register it to gain further applications of VCDS .

Hth
Keith
 
kp 115 said:
Hi ,
I think if you go eBay special route you will only be able to use the VCDS-lite freeware giving limited use & will not be able to register it to gain further applications of VCDS .

Hth
Keith
Click to expand...

That is correct if for A2 use this is all you need for 95% of the time due to the age of the A2


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
dj_efk said:
Hello all,

I'm an Amateur home-tinkerer and when I finally find "my" A2 to buy, I'll have two VAG vehicles in the family (as I currently own a 2016 MY VW Touran too).
Click to expand...

Buying the right used cable (probably on eBay, maybe elsewhere) is likely the best option. The version you require is quite specific, it's HEX + CAN USB cable. In good condition, these have been selling for around £300, and the price drops (as it did before Christmas) whenever people need money in a hurry.

That cable had been available new for many years through to the end of 2016, and is not VIN limited. It continues to work with the latest software, although it may not work with VAG vehicles from the 2019 model year on. Since it has no limit on VINs, you can always sell it on when you no longer need it.

This eBay listing, finishing today, will likely give a clear guide to what the current value is doing in these difficult times:
www.ebay.co.uk

Ross-Tech HEX + CAN USB VCDS Interface. Unlimited VIN and Genuine | eBay

<p>Genuine Ross-Tech HEX-USB+CAN VCDS Interface. </p><br><p>Unlimited VIN. Condition is used, but very good. Cable has only been used on my own personal vehicles (e.g. low volume lifetime usage) as I am not in the motor trade. </p><br><p>Dispatched with Royal Mail 1st Class tracked...
www.ebay.co.uk

I bought mine new in 2016 from Marshalls Industrial and it cost me £289. I've had good value from it, and always happy to help out other members locally with scans etc.
 
steve_c said:
Buying the right used cable (probably on eBay, maybe elsewhere) is likely the best option. The version you require is quite specific, it's HEX + CAN USB cable. In good condition, these have been selling for around £300, and the price drops (as it did before Christmas) whenever people need money in a hurry.

That cable had been available new for many years through to the end of 2016, and is not VIN limited. It continues to work with the latest software, although it may not work with VAG vehicles from the 2019 model year on. Since it has no limit on VINs, you can always sell it on when you no longer need it.

This eBay listing, finishing today, will likely give a clear guide to what the current value is doing in these difficult times:
www.ebay.co.uk

Ross-Tech HEX + CAN USB VCDS Interface. Unlimited VIN and Genuine | eBay

<p>Genuine Ross-Tech HEX-USB+CAN VCDS Interface. </p><br><p>Unlimited VIN. Condition is used, but very good. Cable has only been used on my own personal vehicles (e.g. low volume lifetime usage) as I am not in the motor trade. </p><br><p>Dispatched with Royal Mail 1st Class tracked...
www.ebay.co.uk

I bought mine new in 2016 from Marshalls Industrial and it cost me £289. I've had good value from it, and always happy to help out other members locally with scans etc.
Click to expand...

Ah so this one will work with my Touran too? I tried to establish via the Ross-Tech website exactly what I personally would need given my requirements above but it was hard work / not that clear.

Thanks to all that have replied so far.
 
dj_efk said:
Ah so this one will work with my Touran too? I tried to establish via the Ross-Tech website exactly what I personally would need given my requirements above but it was hard work / not that clear.
Click to expand...

Yes, it would.

Guide to Ross-Tech legacy interfaces:

This is the one at the top of that page.
 
This may have answered a question I didn't realise I had as I was wondering what version of VCDS would work for my A2 plus my MY2018 T6 California Beach van.

Presumably the HEX + CAN USB cable is the right choice for me also?
 
nolan said:
This may have answered a question I didn't realise I had as I was wondering what version of VCDS would work for my A2 plus my MY2018 T6 California Beach van.

Presumably the HEX + CAN USB cable is the right choice for me also?
Click to expand...

Yes indeed
 
If you only want one to work on A2s, which one do you need to get? Also does the necessary program for your laptop come with them?
 
Darpod14 said:
If you only want one to work on A2s, which one do you need to get? Also does the necessary program for your laptop come with them?
Click to expand...

If you only want to work on A2s, you can use VCDS-Lite, which requires registration (at a cost of around £75) if you want decent functionality.
You download the software from Ross-Tech:

VCDS-Lite requires a third-party cable, and is not as straightforward to set up as the more modern versions which work by default with USB, but it's definitely the cheapest option.
 
steve_c said:
If you only want to work on A2s, you can use VCDS-Lite, which requires registration (at a cost of around £75) if you want decent functionality.
You download the software from Ross-Tech:

VCDS-Lite requires a third-party cable, and is not as straightforward to set up as the more modern versions which work by default with USB, but it's definitely the cheapest option.
Click to expand...
hmm, I would prefer something as easy as possible to set up and use, I cannot be bothered with messing around trying to make something work.
I would rather just plug in to my car and go, am I better to just pay more for the better one?
 
Darpod14 said:
hmm, I would prefer something as easy as possible to set up and use, I cannot be bothered with messing around trying to make something work.
I would rather just plug in to my car and go, am I better to just pay more for the better one?
Click to expand...

All the more recent options are pretty much plug-and-play. You can get the latest interface (with a 3-VIN limit for adaptations) for £225
 
Ross-Tech on limited VINs:

VIN-Limited Interface FAQ

Why sell VIN-Limited interfaces? Because it allows us to charge for the product in a manner that's somewhat commensurate with how the product is used. A professional workshop that's in and out of several vehicles a day with their VCDS gets considerably more value from the product than a...
forums.ross-tech.com forums.ross-tech.com

Gendan on limited VINs:
www.gendan.co.uk

Ross-Tech VCDS HEX-V2 USB package for VW, Audi, Seat, Skoda cars (1996 on, 3 VIN limit)

Ross-Tech VCDS HEX-V2 USB package for VW, Audi, Seat, Skoda cars (1996 on, 3 VIN limit) - only £225.00 including VAT & UK delivery!
www.gendan.co.uk
 
nolan said:
This may have answered a question I didn't realise I had as I was wondering what version of VCDS would work for my A2 plus my MY2018 T6 California Beach van.

Presumably the HEX + CAN USB cable is the right choice for me also?
Click to expand...

I answered "yes indeed" earlier and believe that is correct. However, Ross-Tech don't guarantee their legacy interfaces beyond the 2017 model year. I last received a firmware update for mine in 2018 (which suggests that all 2018MY vehicles are covered). The latest R-T VCDS download page specifically indicates that 2019MY and on require the latest interface:
 
I'm a CarPort user but haven't tried it yet with my cable in the new Octy. It's a relatively cheap cable, and the software is not as expensive as VCDS but gives most of the functionality without the limitations. VCP is similar but even more complex. I might try to find the cable and plug into the MY20 Octavia, as there's some minor changes I want to make.

Re: MY18 and on; there appears to have been a significant overhaul of the logic of the MKB platform at some point around then; the Octavia facelift has significant differences to an MY16 car. That was late 16-17; the audio in those late pre-facelift cars is way better than the previous gen, though there's an interface difference between the MY17 and MY20. Some things appear to have stayed the same, but it would not surprise me if there were actually pretty fundamental changes elsewhere in the architecture to support additional features and functionality - and even if those functions weren't used at the time in that particular version, they may well have been subjected to only one version, whether Seat, Skoda, or VW. There are tales, for example, of the Golf Highline door controllers working in the Octy, but not the Seat ones. They *should* be the same, but they appear not to be. YMMV; if it's important to you, get a guarantee from the vendor it will work and return it if it doesn't.

- Bret
 
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