First off I would love VAG-COM but I don't have a laptop or the money spare at the mo.

What I do want is a portable code reading device I can leave in the car. I've seen a few devices on ebay including MEMOSCAN U280, U281 and Autel VAG305 (@£30ish).

But I am interested in spending a bit more on the new MEMOSCAN U585 or Autel VAG405 which offer a bit more (@£90ish). Any recommendations / experiences? are they worth the extra ££s for the features?

I came across this site that offers a good range of diagnostic products at decent prices including the above on www autotec-direct com..

VW/Audi, Seat Skoda

Cheers

Andy

It says that the U585 can do almost everything that a VAG1552 can. The 1552 was in current dealer use when the Fabia was launched. Comparing the budget code readers to the U585 on their listed features, I would say that it is worth an additional £60. One thing that it doesn't give you is the ability to log live data from a test drive, for analysis/graphical play back at a later time, which VCDS can.

It all depends on how much that you want to get involved with your cars electronics, but you only have to use it twice for problem solving to have recouped your £90 outlay.

Consider V-Checker Pro. Cost not more than £70 delivered and can do most of what VCDS can do (obviously not data logging).