Nigel (NHN) on AudiSport is organising a GB for VAG-COM and has got what I think is a good price if anyone is interested -

VCDS (VAG-COM) Hex+CAN USB Priced at £221.75 delivered.

I would imagine there could be a discount on the other Ross Tech cables but you'll need to enquire with Nigel.

If anyone is interested then I'll invite him over and he can take it from there.

Hi Stu,

I'm Interested in this GB.

For the absolute novice (thats me) what does this mean?

VCDS (VAG-COM) Hex+CAN USB Priced at £221.75

What equipment do you need?

Laptop/computer?

Cable?

Software?

I'm slowly getting to grips with it all, so sorry in advance for the stupid questions:confused:

Edited 4 November, 200817 yr by octimark

You need a laptop really for ease of use in the car.

The lead includes a dongle which is effectively your license.

You have to download the software from Ross Techs website, but its free of charge.

Hi Stu - i would be interested if this kit would be ok for the MkII Octavia.

If so - count me in.

Ste.

any laptop running xp onwards iirc

software downloaded off their site

no leads as the kit they send out will include the leads that you plug into your usb port and the other end into the can underneath the dashboard area in the car.

Details can be found here - VCDS (VAG-COM): Ross-Tech Store

Hello to Briskoda

Thanks to Stu for inviting me in, much appreciated & I'm sure Stu will vouch for me over on AS as a trustworthy guy, please do feel free to ask over there any members about me, I've sold number of items to well respected members with perfect deals so please do ask for your own peace of mind, I'll happily advise of these members if asked.

Just bit of background:

I'm actually a member mostly over on audi-sport.net, dont let that worry you as we're all VAG at end of day, lol, I'm a VAG guy through & through, mostly golf's until 7 years back then I switched to audi & haven't changed as yet, I like modding but usually oem stuff & descreet, fairly technical & more of a wiring guy, I do IT & was installing telecom systems for years, so VAG-COM was a serious tool for me to use on my cars & interesting as well as work with computers day in day out, thats why I thought lately be an idea to be on the forums to supply at a much better price than others & easier as well to enquire.

The genuine cables are available pretty much anytime now not just a group buy, so please feel free to email me.

What you would get is the full HEX+CAN USB that will work on pretty much all VAG cars from 1995 upwards to present day, the lead has its own activation so no need to register, comes as a lead only package & the software is downloaded directly from Ross-Tech so no need for cd's etc.

To date it has been free updates to newer versions & support if registered with them has also been free, but honestly I havnt registered myself as never needed to email them even once due to the forums helping out, also the wiki by them is pretty damn good aswell.

It works on all the current windows OS's XP, Vista, Windows 7, so that covers almost everyone except mac, all you need is a free USB port & you're away.

Item will no doubt be sent out Special Delivery Next day Insured & payment would be via paypal & the cost delivered is £241 in total.

If you're interested please let me know & I'll happily do my best to assist in anyway.

Many Thanks.

Nigel.

[email protected]

Edited 12 September, 200916 yr by NHN
Updates

Another question, if its possible to answer.

I have an after market Head Unit (installed by the previous owner), will VAG-COM still work? If not is it easily fixable?

Ive never used or seen VAG-COM being used so as a novice is it easy to use ot do I need a dealer type workshop manual etc to actually be able to use it?

Maybe i'm not ready for VAG-COM yet:eek:

Another question, if its possible to answer.

I have an after market Head Unit (installed by the previous owner), will VAG-COM still work? If not is it easily fixable?

Ive never used or seen VAG-COM being used so as a novice is it easy to use ot do I need a dealer type workshop manual etc to actually be able to use it?

Maybe i'm not ready for VAG-COM yet:eek:

To be honest with you, sometimes you can look at it and go "uh!!" but with practice it's easy to use. There is great support for it from here on Briskoda and with the Ross-Tech site itself and I would say that mine has pretty much paid for itself with either doing small job's for other Brisky members, or saving me mileage on a trip to the dealer to reset the odd warning light.

With an aftermarket head unit, Vag-Com will still work, but you will get a fault code getting thrown up for the head unit, you can clear it but it will come right back

In my most humble opinion, Vag-Com is an invaluable tool to anyone with a modified car, or is thinking of heading down that route. To anyone who lives a good distance from a dealer and suddenly gets a warning light then it can be useful and pay for itself in fuel saved

I once had an Emmisions warning light and the old slug went into limp mode, I had my EEpc and Vag-Com cable in the boot, checked the fault, cleared it (after finding the connector on the MAF was loose), without it, I would have had a 100 mile trip home in limp mode or be waiting for Skoda assist. Instead I was on my way in 1o minutes

Here endeth the sermon It's a great product, is well supported and has been an invaluable tool for me

I'm interested. Would PayPal be ok if I paid the charges?(still cheaper than normal price)

As Fluffmeister mentioned, vag-com will still function with an after market head unit. It's a good idea to check that a vag specific adaptor has been fitted along with the head unit, or alternatively that the wiring has been altered. When plugged in without modifications, some after market head units send a 12v feed down the k-line which will blow the fuse in the vag-com dongle.

To anybody who is considering this purchase, I would highly recommend it. Mine has paid for itself time and time again one way and another.

Genuine VAG-COM/VCS is protected against the 12v K line problem.

Ross-Tech: VAG-COM: Afterrmarket Radio Problem

Our other interfaces use output drivers that are thermally protected against shorts. They don't need a fuse. If you plug them into a car with the K-line shorted to +12, they simply won't work in that car, but it won't hurt them either.

Well I haven't got the cash but I think I'm going to borrow some as I really do need a new lead. So I will register my interest - NHN, you have a PM coming your way. Thanks Stu for picking this up ;-)

Please put my name down as a definite.

I'll pay by paypal though, using the option of the sender paying the fee within Paypal please.

Thanks for posting this.

Lee

Due to needing a new cable in short order (I simply can't survive on my backup EOBD handheld) and lack of a reply regarding this group buy, I have now bought a new VCDS cable and only £13 more than the group buy price. Sorry to those hoping for a group buy here, I suspect not enough people are got together to make it happen. Last I read on the Audi forum total was 2 people. But good luck if it can get off the ground, great!

I'll post back with a review and details of my seller, once I get and test the VCDS okay.

Cheers, Greg.

Report back - VERY favourable. I ordered a VCDS 8.5 lead from SAB Distribution - Home and they were extremely helpful. Posted, it came to just £235 very little different to a group buy price.

Came in the Ross-Tech back with support certificate and install instructions, download the VCDS software youself from the internet (good idea so you get latest version).

All in all VERY impressed with their service and highly redcommend them, the lead arrived next day.

Also the place to go for your airbag modules repair.

Greg.

I think given the climate Nigel is struggling to get this rolling which is a shame.

Yes, I hung in for a week and was watching for a couple of weeks previous, but ultimately I need to use it daily.... And I read on the other site just 2 people signed up. For a £10ish discount it's a great try, but not quite made it this time I think.

Group buys are great though!

Greg.

I think given the climate Nigel is struggling to get this rolling which is a shame.

Worth noting that you will be paying a few £ in import tax on the lead if you get it direct from the USA.

If Nigel is getting 10 or more in at a time from the USA the import tax wont be so heavy, so the GB price may be better than you think. Best to ask Nigel if his price includes the import tax.

Steve

The GB price is for leads from a UK dealer.

Ah well, trying to drum him up some trade there, FAILED, lol

Just out of interest, how many are up for this Group Buy at the moment? I'm considering it, might be a while before I'm willing to commit, but I might try and hurry my decision up if I know it's close to going ahead...

Nigel has been having problems with this and the pricing from the supplier.

I will close it for now until something is finalised.

Updated info:

http://briskoda.net/showpost.php?p=1495635&postcount=7

Edited 12 September, 200916 yr by NHN
Updates

Forgive me for sticking my neck out here, but that's only a £6 saving from ordering it from Marshalls Industrial. Comes in a plastic carry case with a full manual and software (although of course you'd download the latest version anyway).

I'm not being rude but is it worth the hassle of getting 10 people together to save £6 each?