Getting started with programming
Probation Members
Joined: Feb 2024
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: FORKS WA
My Ride: 2008 E60 535i
The ICOM is a coding device not a cable. If you choose to get one I would only recommend buying it from the dealership and purchasing the ICOM NEXT for future ownership past the E series. They are hard to come by these days and expensive. I would only purchase if you are planing to flash modules. Honestly you can do without ISTA/p if you're not flashing. Also if you plan to flash in the future be it your E series or a future F/G series you'll need a battery maintainer of at least 80 amps. I purchased a good one for about $500.
It's expensive if to get a complete BMW maintenance setup but once you have it, it saves you a lot of money. I have 3 setups (1 stationary and 2 mobile). It beats me having to go to a shop for anything other than tires and alignment. Everything else I do in the comfort of my own home. If you want to just troubleshoot and or just replace or code modules the K+DCAN cable is all you need. The reason the drivers never installed is because you didn't have the cable plugged in. There's steps to configure once you get the cable and drivers installed to ensure proper communication with the car through the laptop.
It's expensive if to get a complete BMW maintenance setup but once you have it, it saves you a lot of money. I have 3 setups (1 stationary and 2 mobile). It beats me having to go to a shop for anything other than tires and alignment. Everything else I do in the comfort of my own home. If you want to just troubleshoot and or just replace or code modules the K+DCAN cable is all you need. The reason the drivers never installed is because you didn't have the cable plugged in. There's steps to configure once you get the cable and drivers installed to ensure proper communication with the car through the laptop.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 3,953
Likes: 361
From: Augusta, GA
My Ride: 22 BMW 540i xDrive; 05 BMW 530i
Engine: 3.0 B58; 3.0 M54
I use a Dell Latitude E7450 i7 16GB RAM 2TB SSD. I'd stick with an i5 processor or higher and at least 8GB RAM. I would suggest at least a 1TB SSD but a HDD will do. Just know things are slower with a HDD but it won't hurt you. if working with a F series now or in the future 2TB is mandatory
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New Members
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 109
Likes: 10
From: Colorado
My Ride: E61
Model Year: 2008
I snagged an old MacBook Pro from wife's company. She's the IT Director, and when computers age out, they get sold for cheap. I set it up as a PC. I messed around with it using INPA, and it worked. I haven't got ISTA+ fully set up yet. Waiting for some bandwidth on a weekend where it's not dumping snow or just too cold to sit stationary for a long period of time.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 3,953
Likes: 361
From: Augusta, GA
My Ride: 22 BMW 540i xDrive; 05 BMW 530i
Engine: 3.0 B58; 3.0 M54
I never thought about using a MAC with Windows OS. My only concern would be the space available. You don't need much for the E series but the later models the software takes a lot of space. Currently I'm at 1.14TB for the new software, of course that includes other supporting programs and files needed to perform the upper end of coding/programming typical DIYers are not going to do. I am definitely not opposed to your method as the hardware is much superior to a simple Dell PC.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 3,953
Likes: 361
From: Augusta, GA
My Ride: 22 BMW 540i xDrive; 05 BMW 530i
Engine: 3.0 B58; 3.0 M54
Definitely hard to argue with it. I only purchased old PCs with the specs I need. My target is usually $200 or lower then upgrade it to what I need. I've lately been working with the surface pro 5 tablet since I've figured out a way to increase space via SD card and have it work flawlessly during flashing updates. We are here to save money anyway possible within reason.
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