I will be getting my 1st Skoda next week & fancied having a Vag-Com to check out and maybe modify a few of the default car settings. There seems to be so many different units to pick from - (eBay UK Shop - alpha-bid: Code Readers, Alphabid, alpha-bid.com) seems to be where some have purchased from but that has 5 different all in one versions! I'm only really after something that will allow me to tinker so maybe ebay item 330173752766 will suffice? Also will my car be a mk2 or 1z version as some cables seem to work with one but not the other. Take pity on a newbie and point me in the right direction please....

John

Hello,

Welcome to Briskoda.The ebay item number you mentioned won't work with your octavia if it is a 2007 version.They use a different type of comunication.I'm sure vrs stu or someone with a similar level of expertise will be along soon.

I can recommend the vag-com software and cable if you are tinkering,the cables are available direct from Ross-tech.

The best place is Ross Tech. The code readers are just that, they read and erase codes, the ebay item that you refer to is a serial port cable and I suspect will only work on K line cars. Your Octavia will be a MK2 and utilise CAN. The least expensive cable will be the micro-can at $249 which is less than £150, which in the great scheme of things is exceptional value. Have a look here:

Ross-Tech: VAG-COM: Interfaces

Thanks for the replies so far. The Ross-Tech one may well be the best one to use but £150 for tinkering will need some serious justifying to SWMBO. Is that the only route open to me?

Yes it is the only option available to you I'm afraid.

The newer cables have the registration built into the cable and thus there are no cheap cable and demo version options for the Octy II.

As FordFan says the MicroCan is the best solution for a diy'er with a CAN enabled car. Purchasing from Ross-Tech in the USA is the cheapest way to get one at the moment.

Thanks for the input guys but two final questions before I make the decision. What equipment have each of you got and what am I going to gain most from getting one. ie what will I want to tinker with the most?

P.S. Just for good measure - a 3rd question. Is there a setting to move the outside mirrors down when reverse is selected or is that just on the door control?

We have a HEX-USB+CAN at work we use it for diagnosis on all the Skoda models as well as any Audis, Seats and VWs we may have in. We have also used it in OBD2 mode on other makes of car. You can record and playback on a graph numerous engine parameters from a test drive, particularly useful on the Octavia 1diesels for determining a faulty air mass meter and actually showing the customer the data used to diagnose the fault. If you look at VRStus excellent websites you will be able to see what settings you can tweak, locking, sounds, indicator flashes how to enable things to get your car the way you want it without having to pay a dealer and having to make time to visit the dealer. When you get confident using it, you will be able to do the same things to your friends CAN VW group cars.

Looking to justify the cost, £150 is significant to most people, compared to the price of a new car it is comparable in cost to a dealer fit accessory or a fraction of a factory fit option. It will also give you a clue if an unscrupulous dealer is trying to pull the wool over your eyes. If you are planning on keeping it beyond the warranty period a senior member on here (DGW) diagnosed with VAG COM a broken 4 wheel drive (Haldex) controller a short time before the warranty expired and got it replaced under warranty - saving £100s. Want to program a new key?, the dealer will charge.

You can make the passenger mirror look downwards when reversing but this can only be enabled if the electric memory driver seat is installed as it can see the X-Y position of the mirrors. Standard on the L&K only i'm afraid.

We have a HEX-USB+CAN at work we use it for diagnosis on all the Skoda models as well as any Audis, Seats and VWs we may have in. We have also used it in OBD2 mode on other makes of car. You can record and playback on a graph numerous engine parameters from a test drive, particularly useful on the Octavia 1diesels for determining a faulty air mass meter and actually showing the customer the data used to diagnose the fault. If you look at VRStus excellent websites you will be able to see what settings you can tweak, locking, sounds, indicator flashes how to enable things to get your car the way you want it without having to pay a dealer and having to make time to visit the dealer. When you get confident using it, you will be able to do the same things to your friends CAN VW group cars.

Looking to justify the cost, £150 is significant to most people, compared to the price of a new car it is comparable in cost to a dealer fit accessory or a fraction of a factory fit option. It will also give you a clue if an unscrupulous dealer is trying to pull the wool over your eyes. If you are planning on keeping it beyond the warranty period a senior member on here (DGW) diagnosed with VAG COM a broken 4 wheel drive (Haldex) controller a short time before the warranty expired and got it replaced under warranty - saving £100s. Want to program a new key?, the dealer will charge.

Very well written reply that mate.