I'm new to Skoda and confess I'm not really sure what VCDS is but I'm assuming some sort of OBDII reader and ECU modification software/hardware.  I've used similar systems on other cars and bikes I've had (don't really like having a modern car without this kind of system) Can anyone tell me exactly what is involved with this, where can I buy it and what sort of cost please?

Vcds is a very indepth tool 

It allows depending on car configuration features to be added or removed 

 

It's not cheap for the official cable and non legit cables are at your own risk you will get no support from anyone on a cloned cable 

 

Official stockist here 

 

http://www.ross-tech.com/distributors.php

 

Some tweaks are straight forward and there is a wealth of knowledge here and on the ross tech  site 

 

Cost wise depends on how many cars you want to play with 3/10 unlimited 

As yet not many cars need the latest wireless one but it can future proof should you go for unlimited vin but it is expensive 

 

If it's just a few tweaks and there you want done best off finding a member with one and giving him/her a few beer tokens rather than shelling out for a cable 

 

Edited 12 April, 20179 yr by malcster

some things can be done only by VCP

https://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/427224-s3-owners-in-kent-electric-tailgate-hatch-closing-from-inside/

and there isn't clear list of compared features VCDS vs VCP

 

also can't decide which device, the first and only visit to man with VCDS costed me 50e