Tag Archive | Xhorse VVDI2

How to DIY: BMW 2012 528i CAS4+ add new key using VVDI2 key pro?

So I’m the type of person who will NOT take my car to the dealer. All DIY maintenance and if I don’t have the equipment for it I will buy or borrow it and watch youtube videos and do it myself. I have come to the conclusion it’s better to go to the dealership to get keys rather than ebay and a locksmith or DIY. I will roughly explain the process of how the key making/programming is.

vvdi2-key-programmer-21

 

I just bought a 2012 528i and it came with one key. I wanted another one but I HATE going to dealers for anything. It’s always at least 50% more expensive and I leave feeling like a chump being taken advantage of. I searched high and low for people in the LA area that can program a virgin key fob from ebay and cut the slide out key. Cutting it is not a big deal but programming it is.

So BMW has a pretty interesting system for authorizing keys. There’s a module under the instrument cluster called the CAS4 module. I don’t know what it stands for but the two functions that I know about it are keeping the mileage of the car and authorizing key fobs to work. It comes from the factory with 10 pre-authorized key fobs setup on it. The car is also has two fobs with it when it leaves the factory. Those take up slot 1 and slot 2. The other 8 fobs are not made yet but the car knows when it sees those keys that it’s authorized to start and unlock with them. It requires the key to be synced but other than that they keys are ready to go as soon as you sync them using the process of holding it against the steering column like in the many other threads on this website. BMW is the only place that knows what keys are authorized. When you go to the dealer and buy another key they send an order to some BMW place in NJ that can look up that highly secretive information and make a key. They go down the list until you get to 10 keys then you need a new CAS4 module (about $900). You then have to get it programmed including transferring the mileage over from your old module. You probably have to get the driver door and center console lock cylinder rekeyed too. I’m not sure if the old keys get deactivated when new keys are activated. Maybe someone else knows.

The 2nd method bypasses all the pre-authorized system that BMW has in place. You can get a virgin key fob off of ebay or at a locksmith and they can reprogram the CAS4 module. It is quite the ordeal because you have to override the memory on it with programming tools. If you have a hiccup in the transfer or transfer the wrong file you can brick it. I’m not sure if the dealer can fix it after. Maybe but maybe you have to get a new one. They have several different hardware/software setups that can do this. They each cost several thousand dollars and have a very steep learning curve. I’ve seen BMW Explorer, VVDI2 commander BMW, FVDI2, or a R270 programmer. They can also be used to change the mileage.
VVDI2 being used with Xhorse. It involves soldering hires directly to the CAS4 module. Not for the faint of heart. Apparently there’s a way to do it through the OBDII port but I don’t have any more info on that.

https://youtu.be/ZsueRvrg_KM

That’s the only way I know of for getting new keys to work with your BMW. I could not get anyone in the Los Angeles area to offer to program the key for less than $500. Why not get it from a dealer and do it the right way for that kind of money?

I called several dealers and they all wanted from $300-$500 to order a fob and cut the metal key even though it all comes from the same place in NJ and they don’t have to do anything except put in the order. I actually had a dealer give me a number for BMW USA to call or order the key from and it will be delivered to the dealership so they can verify the registration and my ID when I pick it up. BMW USA wanted $150 for it and they said I could probably sync it myself but I should not be charged anything by the dealer unless I have them do the syncing. The number is 1-888-575-5397 and is only for California residents for some reason.

I hope this can help someone. I spend half a day doing this research and calling many locksmiths and dealers. I understand that I don’t know exactly how this system works but I wrote this post up to the best of my knowledge. In your situation it still might be better to go to a locksmith and have them program your key. It might be cheaper elsewhere in the country to do that since there is not much demand for method 2 in California because of the BMW USA key hotline. If I was in NYC or so I would probably send my CAS4 module to the same guy who sells the keys on ebay since he offers the service for $250. It does not make economical sense for me to have a key made outside of the proper channels here in CA. If you find any mistakes please let me know and I will be happy to fix the post.

If you do decide to try and DIY, here’s a website that will probably help.

Choose the original Abritus or Xhorse vvdi2 only VAG GROUP?

A heated discussion on whether choose the original Abritus or xhorse vvdi2 only VAG GROUP? Here a collection of users’ votes and experiences.

vvdi2-commander-key-programmer-1

Vote Xhorse VVDI2:

Vote 1: I have vvd2 full, all work perfect.

Vote 2: VVDI2 does really work well, and covers the same types off immo as Avdi. There are free updates, and no AMS, and free support.

I own an avdi and a vvdi2, and the vvdi2 has not let me down!

Vote 2: depends what you are doing, if you are only doing keys then I would deffo get vvdi2 first due to cost also any decent updates on AVDI will cost a couple of grand and will be very cheap or free on vvdi2

Can always get avdi later and add to it as you need.

Vote original Abritus:

Vote 1: For VAG, AVDI without a doubt. And on this promotion you can get VAG full under 5k euro.

Vote 2: AVDI the best in the market only issue you some people do not know how to use it…

Vote 3: Avdi for me…. but promotion is over now so it all boils down to how much money you’re willing to spend..

Vote 4: I read a lot and there is always some topic about issue with AVDI.

Last one was: after CP job in A6 car is dead, no ignition. Another was that it could not do Gearbox adaptation. If I would buy this tool for normal price and it would not do the job that it should I would be a little upset….

Buy more than just one:

You can’t have one tool. Personally for VAG I have 5 tools VVDI2, SMOK, Supervag.com, Carprog and Miraclone. Mostly I use VVDI2 but it doesn’t work on Audi Fujitsu dash (SMOK) and some K-line ones (supervag.com). You’ll see that sometimes even AVDI doesn’t recognize some version SW and VVDi2 for example recognize no problem. VVDI2 works great but has some issues like every tool. I was asking the same question some time ago and went to have 5 tools and not one AVDI where support sucks and every new option cost a lot of money. VVDI2 now add PSA PIN read and key learning by CAN vehicles FOR FREE and copy 48 chips is available also.

Official comparison between the original Abritus and Xhorse vvdi2:

Ability:
Avdi Abrites: Professional at vehicle diagnostics and perform key programming, security code extraction, etc., users need to purchase that separately.

Vvdi2 Xhorse: Good at auto key programming (incl. chips/keys & remotes: add new keys, make a dealer key, all key lost, remote frequency test, ic chip programming, make a working key directly with immobox EEPROM dump, prepare a blank transponder to special one, …), odometer correction and auto diagnosis also ok

Vehicle Coverage:
ABRITES AVDI: cars, bikes, trucks, water scooters, ATVs and water scooters

Xhorse VVDI2: cars

Compatibility:
AVDI:

SAE J2534 compliant driver available for our interfaces

Compatible with many 3rd party diagnostic software

VCI emulator which can allow AVDI to emulate different interface units (like K-line interface, ELM327 interface, ..)

Cars and software incl:

Webasto TT, Evinrude Diagnostics, Suzuki/Yamaha Marine

VW/Audi/Seat/Skoda/Bentley/Lamborghini ODIS

Fiat EXAMINER

Toyota/Lexus/Scion Techstream

Honda/Acura HDS

Volvo VIDA

DAS/Xentry – Star Diagnosis

Nissan Consult III+

Ford Scanner

BMW – DIS over K-line and CAN bus

BMW – E-Sys, INPA, EDIABAS, NCS Expert, NFS over K-line and CAN bus

Rover/Jaguar IDS

Subaru Select Monitor III

Bombardier diagnostic software

GM – Tech2Win, GDS2 and SPS diagnostic software

HYUNDAI GDS

KIA GDSa

Xhorse VVDI2 or BMW multi tool, which better read CAS2 by OBD?

 

To answer this question, yes both Xhorse VVDI2 and BMW multi tool are tested ok to read CAS2 by OBD2.

While a little part of users feedback they use Xhorse VVDI2 to read CAS2 via OBD2 but failed. Let’s firstly read one user’s feedback “Vvdi2 constantly causes me problems on cars with Cas2.

Every time I attempt to add a key via obd I get disable security error and the dme-cas fall out of sync. I then have spend 20 mins messing around with fvdi to re synchronise it.After all that, I still need to remove the cas and use the adapter to make a key. I do not even bother trying via obd anymore. Multitool never gave me these problems.

This is the error I’m referring to.

bmw-multi-tool-vvdi2-blog-1

Me too,

Solution:

Read from the error photo, you used V1.1.1, currently BMW latest version is V1.1.7, please download the latest version, it already fix the bugs.

Free download VVDI2 1.1.7:

https://mega.nz/#!35IWnLyY!GytU9SUbp0OAAsOkfSOpBwUdr-I53ddrawBjm8k6eyM

Xhorse VVDI2 V1.1.7 newest update and free download

Newest update! Xhorse VVDI2 key programmer software V1.1.7 is now available to download. Following free download link is offered by http://www.carobd.de

vvdi2-vvdi-pro-commander-key-programmer-1

Xhorse VVDI2 newest software V1.1.7 Free download link:

https://mega.nz/#!fhw2gA6C!GytU9SUbp0OAAsOkfSOpBwUdr-I53ddrawBjm8k6eyM

VVDI2 V1.1.7 Update (2016-08-10)

Require firmware: V2.1.7

VAG V1.1.7

Bug fix for guided function
Bug fix for flash some FRF file
Bug fix for autodetect lavida cluster
Bug fix for write CDC32xx IMMO data
Bug fix
BMW V1.1.7

Add support for disable/enable EWS key in “File Key Maker”
Add support for E series coding
Some window is improved
Bug fix for show ISN when lost all key
Bug fix
Porsche V1.1.7

Bug fix
PSA V2.0.1

Bug fix
Transponder Programmer V1.1.7

Immobilizer data tool: bug fix Opel IMMO-1 68HC05
Immobilizer data tool: bug fix Renault Latitude 2010-
Immobilizer data tool: bug fix Hyundai Tucson 29F400
Make Remote: New database released, now support make remote under wireless mode
Bug fix
J2534 V1.1.7

Bug fix
Online Upate Tool V1.1.7

Bug fix
Quick Start V1.1.7

Bugfix