:: EuropaParts.com :: Ross-Tech's VCDS Vag-Com Starting at $199.00 SHIPPED!

**Hugh@EuropaParts** · 04-06-2020 08:22 AM

Originally Posted by COar

About $20 cheaper than buying from Ross Tech direct. I need to get one of these for my rear brakes and service reset.

I don't suppose there are any quarantine discounts?

Good morning, unfortunately no... Ross Tech is very strict with their pricing. We do have plenty in stock and can ship same day.

**COar** · 04-06-2020 01:03 PM

Fair enough. I just placed an order for a 3 VIN unit. Now to Boot Camp my Mac...

**Hugh@EuropaParts** · 04-07-2020 10:28 AM

Originally Posted by COar

Fair enough. I just placed an order for a 3 VIN unit. Now to Boot Camp my Mac...

Thank you!

**Aris3.2** · 06-04-2020 11:14 AM

Just made a purchase ill be coming to pick it up though since i am only 30 minutes away from the store😉

**Hugh@EuropaParts** · 06-04-2020 01:37 PM

Originally Posted by Aris3.2

Just made a purchase ill be coming to pick it up though since i am only 30 minutes away from the store😉

Nice seeing you! Thank you for the support.

**Aris3.2** · 06-04-2020 08:59 PM

Pleasure.

**sfl_A4** · 07-16-2020 12:03 PM

Hello,

I have the Ross Tech VCDS, but I've never used it yet other than to just look at codes now and then. Now I am about to do a brake job and need to know how to release the calipers. Does anyone know where I can find that feature in VCDS? Thanks.

**COar** · 07-16-2020 01:28 PM

Originally Posted by sfl_A4

Hello,

I have the Ross Tech VCDS, but I've never used it yet other than to just look at codes now and then. Now I am about to do a brake job and need to know how to release the calipers. Does anyone know where I can find that feature in VCDS? Thanks.

I've had this video saved for when I do my rear brakes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_z9ygODDlY

Since I've been wfh the last 4 months and will for the foreseeable future, I've been putting very few miles on the car so my rear brake job is majorly procrastinated (i.e I have not yet verified the video is accurate).

**sfl_A4** · 07-18-2020 07:23 PM

Originally Posted by COar

I've had this video saved for when I do my rear brakes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_z9ygODDlY

Since I've been wfh the last 4 months and will for the foreseeable future, I've been putting very few miles on the car so my rear brake job is majorly procrastinated (i.e I have not yet verified the video is accurate).

PERFECT!!! Thank you COar!

**sfl_A4** · 08-01-2020 08:14 AM

Originally Posted by sfl_A4

PERFECT!!! Thank you COar!

Spoke too soon. I have an update for those that may be trying this.

I discovered I must have the UDS EPB system in my Audi, so the VCDS directions are different from the non-UDS systems. They are very similar, but on UDS systems there is no Open or Close parking brake option in the drop-down list. Instead you have to select "Start lining change mode" to open the parking brake. Then when you are done you select "End lining change mode". Here is a link to the entire video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFZJj39FZ3s, and here is the video link at the precise position where it starts to describe the UDS version: https://youtu.be/zFZJj39FZ3s?t=365

Incidentally, the C-Clamp method to retract the piston in the caliper did not work for me. It got it open to a point, but not enough to fit over the new Adam's rotors and new Akebono Euro pads. Instead I did what they show in this video. I had to stick the caliper back on with the old pads, then I used a small pry bar on the back of the outer pad trough the opening in the top of the caliper, and I pulled hard to get the piston retracted the extra few millimeters necessary to fit over the thickness of the new Akebono pads. This is also a safer way to retract the piston IMPO, without risking damage to the piston or the rubber boot.

Good luck.

**flowhigh** · 10-16-2020 06:03 PM

Guys, make sure your B8-.5 is NOT UDS protocol. If it is vagcom is not worth the money and there are lower priced alternatives that can do everything vagcom can do and from a tablet or even your phone. The modules in later Audi's are turning to communication protocol that vagcom can't communicate fully -or- to put it short...is worth two hundred dollars. Based on functionality achieved on nonUDS it's pretty obsolete. Found out the hard way and they won't tell you this upfront for some reason.

**Hugh@EuropaParts** · 10-29-2020 12:00 PM

Originally Posted by flowhigh

Guys, make sure your B8-.5 is NOT UDS protocol. If it is vagcom is not worth the money and there are lower priced alternatives that can do everything vagcom can do and from a tablet or even your phone. The modules in later Audi's are turning to communication protocol that vagcom can't communicate fully -or- to put it short...is worth two hundred dollars. Based on functionality achieved on nonUDS it's pretty obsolete. Found out the hard way and they won't tell you this upfront for some reason.

To fully support UDS modules you'll need either a HEX-V2 or HEX-NET interface which is what we sell, we do not carry the old Hex-Can options and haven't in roughly 2 years.

**flowhigh** · 11-18-2020 04:40 PM

Originally Posted by Hugh@EuropaParts

To fully support UDS modules you'll need either a HEX-V2 or HEX-NET interface which is what we sell, we do not carry the old Hex-Can options and haven't in roughly 2 years.

I really wanted to believe you. Here's what I did against my better judgement and experience with my hex-can cable and routinely update software just because you sounded like you knew what you were talking about and I was really hoping to be proven wrong; I bought the 10 vin Hex-v2 for $299 shipped from an authorized competitor - sorry - I downloaded the latest version and plugged it in to find....

it's the same thing

I stand by what I say and it's a fact, VCDS based on my experience with it on several non-UDS Audis, is not worth those prices. Ross-tech can't program all the different rom files for the UDS modules in these cars - been there done that with support years ago - nothing ever changed. So what you end up getting is half of the capabilities (I'm being generous) with a non-UDS car.

You can't go into Engine measuring blocks(which will remain greyed out) which in my opinion the only reason to get vagcom to isolate an exact module. Since there is no map, you'll be relegated to using 'advanced measuring values' which is very incomplete and leaves so much out. For example I can get actual High fuel pressure values but no specified, it's just inconsistent and majority of the labels there are benign gibberish with zeros for readings.

In basic settings you're going to get the drop down menus that after clicking on a function will not even communicate with the designated module. I could go on but I really want this to be heads up to all considering getting ANY of their cables to first find out if you have a UDS Audi. It just will not be worth the money you are going to pay without doing your research. Just like any obd tool you can read faults and there's nothing special about that and there are many nice apps and tools that can do most everything vcds can for a UDS car and quite considerably cheaper.

If you have a NON-UDS car, vcds should be a great tool and worth the money. But Audi has been moving more and more newer models to UDS. I just isn't even worth those prices on a UDS car anymore. You definitely aren't going to do any coding.

So the UDS owners should have a right to know what they're actually paying for and it's a shame that this isn't openly disclosed buyers who have no idea and don't know the Audi platform well.

**Hugh@EuropaParts** · 11-20-2020 07:16 AM

Originally Posted by flowhigh

I really wanted to believe you. Here's what I did against my better judgement and experience with my hex-can cable and routinely update software just because you sounded like you knew what you were talking about and I was really hoping to be proven wrong; I bought the 10 vin Hex-v2 for $299 shipped from an authorized competitor - sorry - I downloaded the latest version and plugged it in to find....

it's the same thing

I stand by what I say and it's a fact, VCDS based on my experience with it on several non-UDS Audis, is not worth those prices. Ross-tech can't program all the different rom files for the UDS modules in these cars - been there done that with support years ago - nothing ever changed. So what you end up getting is half of the capabilities (I'm being generous) with a non-UDS car.

You can't go into Engine measuring blocks(which will remain greyed out) which in my opinion the only reason to get vagcom to isolate an exact module. Since there is no map, you'll be relegated to using 'advanced measuring values' which is very incomplete and leaves so much out. For example I can get actual High fuel pressure values but no specified, it's just inconsistent and majority of the labels there are benign gibberish with zeros for readings.

In basic settings you're going to get the drop down menus that after clicking on a function will not even communicate with the designated module. I could go on but I really want this to be heads up to all considering getting ANY of their cables to first find out if you have a UDS Audi. It just will not be worth the money you are going to pay without doing your research. Just like any obd tool you can read faults and there's nothing special about that and there are many nice apps and tools that can do most everything vcds can for a UDS car and quite considerably cheaper.

If you have a NON-UDS car, vcds should be a great tool and worth the money. But Audi has been moving more and more newer models to UDS. I just isn't even worth those prices on a UDS car anymore. You definitely aren't going to do any coding.

So the UDS owners should have a right to know what they're actually paying for and it's a shame that this isn't openly disclosed buyers who have no idea and don't know the Audi platform well.

I'm getting slightly different information on the Ross Tech forums and we get a ton of customers who come to us right after leaving the dealership to pick one up, so far we haven't heard any complaints. We've done a ton of coding on our shop GTI and Q7 as well, we still believe that Ross Tech is a great tool for the money... especially if you want it for nothing more than a scan tool and service reset.

The Volkswagen Golf after 2015 became full UDS, we spent roughly half an hour long coding euro spec tail lights with sequential turn signals with success along with a few other tweaks that are available for our 19 GTI.

We also have the 10 vin for $299 shipped for those interested. Click here.

**BMWManiac** · 12-22-2020 08:22 AM

I want a tool for basic maintenance. I don’t need coding or anything like that. Is there a Ross Tech lite? I want to be able to reset “Service Due” message and force rear caliper to retract instead of me going the hack route to disable it....

**Hugh@EuropaParts** · 12-22-2020 10:58 AM

Originally Posted by BMWManiac

I want a tool for basic maintenance. I don’t need coding or anything like that. Is there a Ross Tech lite? I want to be able to reset “Service Due” message and force rear caliper to retract instead of me going the hack route to disable it....

Good afternoon, the software is all the same... the VCDS (VAG-COM) HEX-V2 ENTHUSIAST (USB, 3 VINS) would be your best bet.

**Rkymtnrider** · 04-07-2021 02:33 PM

Will this work with windows xp? Or what requirements are needed for this to work. I’m planning on getting a laptop that I would like to dedicate to my 2012 Audi A4 avant- and 2002 bmw m3. I’ve heard that ncsexpert and pasoft (bmw programs) work best on an xp. Any recommendations?

**Hugh@EuropaParts** · 04-08-2021 07:13 AM

Originally Posted by Rkymtnrider

Will this work with windows xp? Or what requirements are needed for this to work. I’m planning on getting a laptop that I would like to dedicate to my 2012 Audi A4 avant- and 2002 bmw m3. I’ve heard that ncsexpert and pasoft (bmw programs) work best on an xp. Any recommendations?

Good morning, see info below. I personally use an old netbook that's roughly 10 years old and it works well.

VCDS requires a computer running Microsoft Windows (the HEX-NET can be used with VCDS-Mobile on other platforms but that use is still in beta testing). A Laptop is most convenient but a desktop PC can also be used.
We recommend a PC running Windows 7, 8.1, or 10 with at least 2GB of RAM (single-core Atom�-class processors are no longer recommended and devices with ARM CPUs are NOT SUPPORTED). Screen resolution of at least 800x600 is recommended.