What Cable?

[justandy]

Hi,

I'm interested in doing some of the mods described on the A3 forum, so I need a cable for VAG-COM, my car is an A3 2008.

I looked at a few of the handheld options but I think $99 (£50) is a good price for the official software key.

Thanks

Andy

 

[Staz]

What cable is that mate?

I recently bought the VCDS (VAG.COM) and Micro-CAN cable. It does all Golf MkV based vehicles so is perfectly good enough for the A3. But it's not known whether Golf MkVI vehicles will work on CAN. I don't intend to buy another new car for a while if ever so it's ok for me. Ross tech will also do trade ins anyway so you can upgrade to an Hex+CAN later on.

http://www.ross-tech.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=VAGCOM

 

[A4Ade]

Hi,

I'm interested in doing some of the mods described on the A3 forum, so I need a cable for VAG-COM, my car is an A3 2008.

I looked at a few of the handheld options but I think $99 (£50) is a good price for the official software key.

That license is no use to you I'm afraid (unless you have bought a second hand lead and simply want to register it with Ross-Tech). As they detail here, for the 2008 A3 you need a CAN compatible cable, and these do not operate via the soft-licensing method - you need a dongle-cable such as this.

If you do buy a lead from a 3rd party, make sure it is an original Ross-Tech lead you are buying - none of the ~£15 jobbies you see on fleebay etc. are going to work for your car. Ross-Tech have a list of authorized 3rd party retailers here.

Cheers,
Ade

 

[justandy]

Thanks,

coo that's a bit expensive just to turn a few lights on! Maybe I can wait for the Chinese to produce something CAN compatible.

 

[bearthebruce]

nice! It is always a pleasure to hear from people who decide that ripping off the company that does the work to create an affordable and solid tool is the plan.

 

[justandy]

Bruce,

whoa hold the phone there! What I want, if such a thing is possible, is a CAN compatible lead that will work with a $99 licensed version of VAG-COM, I am very happy to pay this!

After all the cheapest option to me is a Micro-CAN version at $250, I cannot justify this just to turn a few lights on!

Andy

 

[A4Ade]

What I want, if such a thing is possible, is a CAN compatible lead that will work with a $99 licensed version of VAG-COM

It isn't possible though. As I said, the CAN compatible leads do not operate using a soft-license. You need a dongle-cable, and a non-Ross-Tech lead (Chinese or otherwise) that works with the latest version of VagCom will be counterfeit.

Ade

 

[justandy]

Ah well, I will keep my eye out for a second hand micro-can (genuine of course!)

I am right in thinking these only work with the Golf mk5 chassis based cars and nothing else?

Andy

 

[Sebastian]

Correct, a list of supported models can be found here.

http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/Micro-CAN.html

BTW: Don't expect to see a cheap one soon, the last one auctioned sold for more than new.