Choosing the right diagnostic tool for your BMW can be overwhelming, especially with numerous options available in the market. When it comes to BMW-specific scanners, Carly and Blue Driver often come up in discussions. One user recently shared their experience comparing these two popular OBD-II scanners, highlighting key differences for BMW owners.
Both Carly and Blue Driver are capable of displaying live data from your BMW, providing real-time insights into your vehicle’s performance. While both offer this feature, the user found Carly to present a more extensive array of live information. However, they personally didn’t find much use for the live data feature in daily driving.
The crucial distinction lies in the fault codes each scanner can read. Carly stands out by accessing a broader spectrum of codes compared to Blue Driver. While Blue Driver primarily focuses on critical fault codes, Carly delves deeper, revealing not only major faults but also less critical messages and “file codes.” These additional messages from Carly, though potentially less urgent, can offer a more comprehensive picture of your BMW’s health. The user mentioned receiving messages about minor purge tank leaks, low fuel pressure, and coolant temperature discrepancies, issues not flagged by Blue Driver.
A significant advantage of Carly Bmw Scanner is its coding capability, a feature absent in Blue Driver. This coding functionality allows users to customize various aspects of their BMW, adding features or personalizing settings. Interestingly, the user noted that some of the less critical messages appeared after they used Carly for coding, raising a question if the coding process might have triggered these messages. Despite reverting the coding changes, these messages persisted.
Blue Driver’s value proposition lies in its detailed information accompanying specific fault codes, aiming to guide users on how to address these issues. However, it sacrifices the depth of information that Carly provides by not reading the extended file codes.
In conclusion, for BMW owners seeking a more comprehensive diagnostic tool, Carly BMW Scanner appears to be the stronger choice. While both scanners offer basic functionalities, Carly’s ability to read a wider range of codes and its unique coding feature make it a more versatile and potentially valuable tool for in-depth BMW diagnostics and customization.
