Hello everyone,

I have 2023 mk3 facelift superb l&k and i wanna tweak some minor things using vcds. I've read somewhere that on new generation of superb (mk4) if you change something in cars software with vcds or similar programs, car senses that and flags it since its always connected to internet, and that doing such things can void your warranty or even alert workshops so they reset your software when u bring it for service. Now, i don't know if that is true, but still i gotta ask, does mk3 have such nonsense, especially since my is really young, from october 2023, almost as 4th gen, and if someone here used vcds on mk3 superbs, what are your experiences? Also, what is minimum version of vcds that's required to work properly with my car?

2 hours ago, SuperB-LK said:

I've read somewhere that on new generation of superb (mk4) if you change something in cars software with vcds or similar programs, car senses that and flags it since its always connected to internet, and that doing such things can void your warranty or even alert workshops so they reset your software when u bring it for service.

Hi,

This may be true on Mk4, but I've never heard/read such a thing for Mk3.

However, FL version of Mk3 (and your MY23 in particular) may have SFD protection on some Control Units, which could prevent you from doing mods...

4 hours ago, Bap33 said:

Hi,

This may be true on Mk4, but I've never heard/read such a thing for Mk3.

However, FL version of Mk3 (and your MY23 in particular) may have SFD protection on some Control Units, which could prevent you from doing mods...

a number of electrics/modules changed with the mk3 facelift, including the introduction of SFD.

hence a lot of coding for the pre-facelift mk3 will not work on the facelift mk3.

the mk4 is an entirely different eco-system, and will b remotely similar electrics/modules wise.

Thanks for answers. My biggest concern was that software change online reporting thing. Regarding SFD, since facelift is from 2019, and as far as i know VAG started using SFD intensively as of 2020, i hope i would still be able to change at least some stuff. I've seen some threads here regarding coding on FL models, as well as some videos on youtube of people coding it, so i figure im gonna be able to do so too. After all, even if i fail to code on my superb due to SFD, i have other older VAG car in house, so VCDS isn't gonna go to waste.

Edited 27 May, 20251 yr by SuperB-LK

Why not OBDEleven?

44 minutes ago, MartiniB said:

Why not OBDEleven?

Tbh, i don't know, it always seemed to me that VCDS is ultimate diagnostic/coding tool for VAG cars. Every serious VAG-oriented workshop that i brought my car in had VCDS to diagnose and reset service intervals and stuff. And with OBDEleven you have to buy credits and it seems like more expensive option. Besides, i want to have powerful tool for diagnostics and reading various parameters in my VAG cars down the road, not just to code stuff and throw it away, and from what i saw by doing some research (youtube vids), VCDS provides more in-depth look at your car electronics than OBDEleven. Still, there is one significant advantage to OBDEleven, SFD unlocking, but i think (hope) that my superb being mk3, still allows some stuff without SFD. In my view, VCDS is more powerful, but less user-friendly software compared to OBDEleven, correct me if im wrong.

Edited 27 May, 20251 yr by SuperB-LK

credits were required only for last two positions in the head post

-> https://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/516414-vcds-options-on-superb-iiifl/

@SuperB-LK - I switched from VCDS to OBDEleven a long time ago.

My ultimate preference is still VCDS, but u can do everything with OBDEleven Pro version.

I made the switch cause with VCDS I only had the 3 car license, which was no good for me as I wanted to help others with coding.

No such restrictions with OBDEleven. Plus it's way cheaper, and no laptop or cable required.

I don't/never use the One Click apps cause u never know wat coding changes is done behind the scenes, with some causing undesired side effects.

With OBDEleven Pro version, I can do adaptations and long coding changes, just as I would've with VCDS.

Mine was a one off lifetime payment, which they don't offer anymore.

Now u have to pay a yearly subscription for Pro or Ultimate.

Edited 27 May, 20251 yr by JR RS

I think im still gonna go with VCDS, it just seems like more powerful and more versatile tool. Besides, i have way of obtaining unlimited vin vcds for about 70 euros, so money-wise its better solution, and i wanna help out few friends with VAG cars, and use it on my older seat as well. My primary question in this thread was regarding online reporting and general experience on using vcds with mk3 superbs. There is still some doubt with SFD, but i guess im gonna find out when i buy it and try coding with it. Thank you all for all answers and suggestions.

Devil's advocate here. I have vcds, most days i just plug in my bluetooth obd reader and use it with car scanner. £30 dongle, £5 app after 3 coding inputs. Everything you see here in the vcds options threads is there plus a few odd ones. I managed to make my fog lights flash when i flash my main beams (but not when sla or manual high beam does something). If you're near mk you're welcome to try out both

11 hours ago, SuperB-LK said:

i have way of obtaining unlimited vin vcds for about 70 euros

Insane bargain! Normal price is around €280 with a 3-VIN version. Unlimited version is close to €700 or so!

1 hour ago, Bap33 said:

Insane bargain! Normal price is around €280 with a 3-VIN version. Unlimited version is close to €700 or so!

+1

Genuine VCDS is not cheap at all.

70 euro for unlimited vcds!!!
30 pound for the dongle and 5 pound for the app!!!

surely can't b genuine.

Genuine vcds is £300 for 10 vin or £500 for unlimited locally, or, straight from ross tech, 300 dollars for 10 vin and 169 dollars for online upgrade to unlimited. That's £350 before tax and duty or £425 with local shipping and online upgrade

A decent generic elm obd2 bluetooth dongle that can access all modules of the car is £30, car scanner android app is £5. I obviously recommend vcds but can't deny a bluetooth dongle with the right app has done it's job and is way more portable for me