VCDS info/easiest way to obtain/purchasing used??

[Zacmbowen123]

Okay so I’ve been needing VCDS for a while now. I’ve done some reading and I’ve found things from super cheap options to purchasing the software directly from Ross-tech. What’s the cheapest way to obtain a fully functional version of the software? Is a Chinese company a no-go? Can I buy the cable and software from someone used? Or do I need to just give up and spend the $199 with Ross-tech? Finally is the $199 version from Ross-tech all I’ll need or is there a better version that encompasses the entire system? Again I’m uneducated in this category so please, all info is welcomed.

Thank you guys ahead of time, y’all have never pointed me in a wrong direction.

[ImRobBailey]

I'm sure Old Guy or someone more experienced will chime in, but from everything I've read, the $199 version from Ross-tech is the way to go. If you buy software and a cable from someone, it's likely they'll have used up one of the VIN spots in the software. I think the $199 version comes with 3 VIN spots.

I'll be purchasing VCDS here in a month or two in order to complete my drivetrain swap. I can let you know more from experience at that time.

Good luck!

[old guy]

I agree with Rob. Purchase the $199 version from Ross-Tech. You know what you are getting versus a knock-off version. Plus you will get updates automatically from Ross-Tech. I purchased the 10 seat option since I have more than three VIN's being maintained.

[Andy_FL]

To echo others, get the genuine product. There’s no need to order DIRECT from Ross Tech though. It’s sold by many German parts places online so just find the one that has the best deal and or quickest shipping (no tax , free shipping, etc). I think I got mine from Europa Parts. Good luck


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[kwilson]

You might also want to look into OBDeleven.

[Turbo510]

We have three Audis currently, and so I periodically do a full scan and save the file for reference. Usually there is no CEL, but you can sometimes be alerted to intermittent problems in advance. And $200 will be money well-spent, the first time you solve a fault with it without guessing.

[JoshDub]

Vcds software is free. The cable that works with vcds is not. At one point (and possibly still can) vcds lite with limited functionality was available and worked with Chinese cables.

However the full program for $200 is well worth the investment.

[Spike00513]

You could buy the $300-400 one and realize you optionally purchased an expensive luxury sport German car that was once $40k+ with monthly payments more than that alone

a tool that can be sold for the same amount when done with it

[Zacmbowen123]

Thank you guys for the info. I greatly appreciate it. I guess I’m going to go ahead and pull the trigger on Ross-tech it seems well worth it and I’d rather have it when I need it then not have it and be in a situation of having my Audi down untill I get it.

[shurur9]

The 3 vin package is called the enthusiasts option.

[EuroxS4]

I have the hexnet pro. Great tool. So this is the bottom line. If you need this for just your car usually a 3vin dongle should be more than enough. Personally for me thats not the case as I run a shop so I have the unlimited version. China clones are not bad but there is a catch. You need to have internet connection turned off or the updates turned off in vcds. The minute a clone does a update it cooks the counterfeit ftdi chip inside the dongle. This is why clones come with their own cloned software and they tell you to never update them. Long story short clones arent bad,but the original is the best option. My suggestion would be to purchase a older interface that is no longer made. Older vcds interfaces did not have a limit on vins. However this being said a older interface most likely will not talk to any newer audi after 2009 model year or higher I believe they changed protocols for reading and sending data. This only applied to older dongles, the new dongles are limited by vins but will talk to everything from 1995 all the way to the new cars. If your looking at budget options and dont plan on scanning newer cars I would recommend purchasing either one of these as they do both KKL and CAN protocols:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/19382949858...UAAOSwHBhf1Q~P

https://www.mercari.com/us/item/m44509338445/

Finally here is a list of old discontinued interfaces and what protocols they used and connections they had:

https://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/ol...interfaces.php


OBDeleven pro is also not a bad tool however I feel like its mostly enthusiast friendly and limited in certain ways whereas vcds is for the hardcore user and can do everything a dealer level tool can do of course with the exception of keys after immo3 and updates of control units. I also dont like the fact that obdeleven needs credits to be purchased to do certain things. This is why vcds is more money but a better investment if you ask me. I also dont like the fact that obdeleven is meant to be used with a mobile device only like a tablet or phone. Sure my hexnetpro also has that option but I like the fact I can connect via USB and laptop so im not starring at a small screen or am limited connection wise and have to use a phone or tablet. I have the option to use either or depending what im doing. Also I feel like hexnetpro has more features in terms of the way it can be configured. You can have a hexnet pro plugged into a vehicle and connected to a wifi network and as long as the computer your using wether it be a laptop or a regular desktop is on the same network you can use vcds wirelessly. This is just my opinion having used both,I had the hexnet first i still feel its the better tool overall.

[JoshDub]

Pretty much everything EuroxS4 said. With the exception of 2009+. I have the older unlimited hex+can and have had no issues communicating with most if not all modules up to and including the C8.5. There was a single module in my mk7.5 GTI that was on the new protocol and would not communicate through hex+can. So yes it's being phased out, but you're reasonable set for a long while going forward.

[EuroxS4]

Pretty much everything EuroxS4 said. With the exception of 2009+. I have the older unlimited hex+can and have had no issues communicating with most if not all modules up to and including the C8.5. There was a single module in my mk7.5 GTI that was on the new protocol and would not communicate through hex+can. So yes it's being phased out, but you're reasonable set for a long while going forward.

Very possible I just know that UDS protocol was implemented in 2009 and from then on vag began using it more and more for every module. These days most modules communicate via uds,canbus or flexray depending on needs.

[Deerhurst]

I have the base $200 VCDS cable. Worth it 100%. I would have spent that and more just to have someone else plug in and tell me what the car is trying to tell me. It has saved me a lot of money. It can tell me when there are issues in advance of them becoming big. It can tell me more than I can understand plus it's pretty handy doing some customization on the vehicle too like getting rid of the seatbelt charm.

2003 A4 Avant 3.0 6MT Quattro