I realise it sounds like a stupid question but I don't have enough money to buy both and I'm wanting to have the ability to play with my new car. I figured that the cable will have more general use and I can sell it on for pretty much what I paid for it after I have finished with the car. Where as the maxidot would be sold with the car and I'm unlikely to get anything back on it.

However am I going to be missing out by not having maxidot? Is vcds simple enough? I'm relatively confident with tech but don't want to end up with something I cant use.

I'm confused.

You do realise that they are 2 different things?

VCDS is the cable and computer capability to alter settings within the ECU, whereas Maxidot is a fixture in the car that allows some in-built alterations.

Simples - VCDS. You can adjust far more than MaxiDot. There's a few things you need to enable in VCDS to be able to adjust them in MaxiDot anyway.

However, you could find a member local to you to run through anything you want done in VCDS, usually for beer tokens.

VCDS is simple to use too, but there is no undo function, so you do have to keep notes. Most of the usual stuff people want to do is just a whole load of tick boxes.

Costs:

MicroCAN VCDS: £209 http://www.gendan.co...uct_VCMC.html?? (Official supplier)

MaxiDot: Around £300 or so.

I went through the same choice a little while ago, and got VCDS. I'll go for MaxiDot when I change cars, and use VCDS to play with the new one too :)

VCDS can do a lot more than Maxidot can, but Maxidot looks nicer in the car.

VCDS can mess up your car if you do something wrong, Maxidot won't.

Local Briskodians with Maxidot accept 'beer tokens', your bank manager (probably) won't.

Maxidot won't add much value to your vehicle, but might make it easier to sell.

If you know lots of people with VAG cars and have the time to learn how to use VCDS, then go for that. Otherwise, go with Maxidot and 'pay' someone who does have VCDs to make any additional changes for you.

I am pretty much a vag owner for life- and im slowly converting family over ( father in law has brought a yeti and bro in law wants a fabia). I would love both but cant justify the cost. There are no owners locally with vcds and I would be willing to help others out! I'm pretty sure I want the cable but just wanted to check that I'm not mising something. Thanks for your help guys

Definitely VCDS. More useful than you think it will be, and if you ever move away from VAG cars, you can sell it and very nearly get your money back on it.

Thats what I thought but wanted to ask

I decided on vcds because its cheaper and more versatile, and you keep it when you junk the Skoda for another Skoda or VAG motor. Maxidot retrofit is very expensive if you go thru dealer and some won't even consider it.

My next thing is to work out which one to get and where from!?

i bought vcds for £50, and its been used so many times on mine and families cars.

easily saved over £500 in garage trips

i bought vcds for £50

No you didn't......you bought a dodgy knock off copy of vcds from china.

Here's a list of official UK suppliers http://www.ross-tech.com/distributors.html

Where for £50? I'm only interested in genuine.

No you didn't......you bought a dodgy knock off copy of vcds from china.

Here's a list of official UK suppliers http://www.ross-tech...stributors.html

how the hell do you know how/where i got it from?

its a genuine cable running latest full software

its a genuine cable running latest full software

For £50?......yeah right......unless of course it's vcds lite.

Edited 9 April, 201313 yr by booke23

For £50?......yeah right......unless of course it's vcds lite.

can you not read?

can you not read?

What do you think?

Why don't you tell us all where we can buy a genuine vcds cable with the 'latest full software' for £50?

I would be very interested?

I would be very interested?

So would I. But it doesn't look like he's going to tell us.

That's because it's not possible to get a genuine VCDS cable anywhere for £50. Whether he likes it or not, a £50 cable with the 'latest full software' is always going to be a cheap pirate knock off.

So would I. But it doesn't look like he's going to tell us.

That's because it's not possible to get a genuine VCDS cable anywhere for £50. Whether he likes it or not, a £50 cable with the 'latest full software' is always going to be a cheap pirate knock off.

He never said he bought it new. He might have bought it 2nd hand. Admittedly still cheap, but a possibility.

He never said he bought it new. He might have bought it 2nd hand. Admittedly still cheap, but a possibility.

Maybe.......but genuine cables make over £200 on E-bay.

He never said he bought it new. He might have bought it 2nd hand. Admittedly still cheap, but a possibility.

Simples

Well I brought a new one today from Nigel NHN- Def not £50 but def genuine!

Simples

Well I made my decision and brought a genuine cable- had a chance to use it in anger today and I am off hunting cars tomorrow for my brother in law so hopefully will use it again. What a good bit of kit!