Peake code reader, worth it?

Obviously for a BMW, is it worth buying a Peake code reader or should I stick to the generic OBDII reader? Thanks all.

I've done both . . .

I prefer the Peake Tool by far. It paid for it self by the third use.

And if you want, you can rent it out to other bimmerphiles that don't have access to one.

always get the manufacturer scanner when possible! generic obdII scanners can read only about 50 codes while the manufacturer one can read hundreds. lol, we literally JUST talked about obdII scanners at school.

Strike_Zero wrote: I've done both . . . I prefer the Peake Tool by far. It paid for it self by the third use. And if you want, you can rent it out to other bimmerphiles that don't have access to one.

What he said. I'm glad I bought it.

What information does it give that an OBD-II reader won't? When my SES light comes on in the M5, I just plug in a reader that's older than the car and it gives me the code. A good manual can tell me just will cause my car to throw that particular code (not that there's much mystery with an E39 V8 car complaining about a MAF signal). Does the Peake really pull out extra codes that the OBD-II reader won't?

Keith wrote: What information does it give that an OBD-II reader won't? When my SES light comes on in the M5, I just plug in a reader that's older than the car and it gives me the code. A good manual can tell me just will cause my car to throw that particular code (not that there's much mystery with an E39 V8 car complaining about a MAF signal). Does the Peake really pull out extra codes that the OBD-II reader won't?

This is partly the reason why I posted the question, supposedly it reads BMW specific code not the generic OBDII code. This is supposedly more accurate. I just want to get some real world experience from other here. Here's some info on the difference between Peake and regular OBD reader: http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=596502.

I guess based on strike zero and chris v comments I should get the Peake code reader rather than the regular OBDII reader.

Keith wrote: What information does it give that an OBD-II reader won't? When my SES light comes on in the M5, I just plug in a reader that's older than the car and it gives me the code. A good manual can tell me just will cause my car to throw that particular code (not that there's much mystery with an E39 V8 car complaining about a MAF signal). Does the Peake really pull out extra codes that the OBD-II reader won't?

All Euro cars have more codes than OBD2 demands. The manufacturers were not pleased at having the US government tell them they had to give out their info to mere mortals, and made their OBD codes the bare minimum. Post 2k Volvos have modules you can talk to in the gauge cluster, all the doors, light control modules, air bags, srs, seats, abs, security, and at least 25 more.

Even just for lean/rich codes, the factory breaks it down to idle rich, idle lean, midrange rich.... OBD2 gives you one code.

Thanks guys, went to eBay after reading this and picked one up, for $139 shipped it's not even worth considering a lesser reader for a Beemer IMHO

Streetwiseguy wrote: Even just for lean/rich codes, the factory breaks it down to idle rich, idle lean, midrange rich.... OBD2 gives you one code.

Not in the Miata :) We're chasing a consistent "lean off idle" OBD-II code in our 2006 Miata with the reflashed ECU - but I get your point.

I think one thing that would make OBD-II readers much more valuable to many people would be a factory manual. While an OBD-II reader will give a fairly generic error message, you can take the code number and get the full list of what triggers that particular code (O2 sensor 1 voltage stays below 0.2v for 15 seconds with engine speed below 1500 rpm, to make up an example), possible causes and a troubleshooting guide.

Looking through the Peake manual, I think this is the same for the Peake tools. For example, here's a typical code definition:
271D Oxygen sensor before cat

That doesn't tell me anything. Yes, there is an O2 sensor before the cat But is it reading high? Low? Not at all? Some are definitely more useful, such as "Idle control valve stuck mechanically". Now that's good info.

I don't know if I'll pick up a Peake yet when I already have an OBD-II scanner at my disposal. Maybe in the future if I get stumped. It's a shame it's limited to just one particular make of cars made after a particular year, instead of being more universal like the OBD-II scanner is.

I think I'd get Carsoft and a cheap laptop if/when I buy another late BMW. It's pretty powerful....

Absolutely worth it. Any E36 owner needs both the Peake R5-FCX3 and the R5-SRS.

The FCX3, in addition to more in depth OBD codes, can also reset your oil change interval lights and service lights. It is too bad it can't turn those off because they are useless to me.

The SRS is a bit over priced for what it does, but if you've owned an E36 for awhile there is a really good chance you've had the SRS light come on. One use to read the code and reset the light will pay for itself over the dealer.

In reply to miatame:

Yeah, the oil service interval reset is part of the reason I bought it rather than a generic OBDII reader.

The Peak tool was able to diagnose an evap leak that a super-fancy professional reader wasn't able to for some reason. The Peak reader is also incredibly easy to use, even for a "computer challenged" guy like myself.

I'll post a more in-depth review of the tool on the M3's webpage soon.

On the M5, there's a way to reset the service indicator without tools. It's one of those secret "open the door, turn the ignition on twice, press the clutch pedal once" dances. Dunno if that's the case for other models.

Keith wrote: On the M5, there's a way to reset the service indicator without tools. It's one of those secret "open the door, turn the ignition on twice, press the clutch pedal once" dances. Dunno if that's the case for other models.

There are a lot of those. But plugging this in and pressing a button is worth it.

And no chance of bricking something because you put the jumper in the wrong place by accident... So basically one tool that does a lot of things.

Just sayin'.

So, any BMW purchase price should have $250 added to it for the gizmo tools regardless of what you already have in your toolbox. I'm planning on ordering the SRS tool today anyhow, I'm going to hold off on the other one. I'll spend the money on new MAFs instead!

miatame wrote: The SRS is a bit over priced for what it does, but if you've owned an E36 for awhile there is a really good chance you've had the SRS light come on. One use to read the code and reset the light will pay for itself over the dealer.

I fixed my SRS light with electrial tape. I started to "chase" the codes, but first it was a "clock spring", then a "seatbelt pre-tensioner" (a firework , really), so I gave up.

Hi Folks -

First, thanks to everyone who's offered their support of our company and products over the years - and thanks to Joe for making me aware of this thread.

It seems that those of you familiar with our tools are already doing a great job of providing accurate information to those who have questions about them. We've always relied on educated customers - you wind up being some of our best public relations experts!

If you have specific questions, never hesitate to contact us or any of our authorized resellers - information and answers are never more than an email or call away.

Thanks again for all your support!

Peake Research Corporation

PeakeResearch wrote: Hi Folks - First, thanks to everyone who's offered their support of our company and products over the years - and thanks to Joe for making me aware of this thread. It seems that those of you familiar with our tools are already doing a great job of providing accurate information to those who have questions about them. We've always relied on educated customers - you wind up being some of our best public relations experts! If you have specific questions, never hesitate to contact us or any of our authorized resellers - information and answers are never more than an email or call away. Thanks again for all your support! Peake Research Corporation

Thanks for coming in. It is always nice to have communication between sellers and consumers.

You'll find the GRM community is for the most part DIY, and BMW is obviously a vehicle of choice for many of us. I suggest you give GRM some advertising dollars!

It's our pleasure - I appreciate the community introduction!

Keith wrote: Just sayin'. So, any BMW purchase price should have $250 added to it for the gizmo tools regardless of what you already have in your toolbox. I'm planning on ordering the SRS tool today anyhow, I'm going to hold off on the other one. I'll spend the money on new MAFs instead!

Last I checked, Peake sold a version of the reader that reads codes for the CEL and the SRS. We had (and needed) both for the E36 M3...

We have one for each application:

R5/FCX3 for engine codes (CEL/SES) R5/SRS for airbag codes

My airbag code reader will be here Monday. Then I'll find out if that airbag light is related to a low battery incident as I suspect!

I had an R5/SRS when I had my E46 and a faulty driver's seat belt tensioner harness that triggered the airbag light nearly constantly. It worked very well and other than having to use the right table to get the codes was as easy to use as a screwdriver. Plug it in, hit the button, read the code, clear the code. I sold it for just a few bucks less than I paid for it after I sold the car so it was a good investment as far as speciality tools go. Keith, I doubt you'll find out if the airbag light is from a battery incident, you'll just get a code that tells you which part of the airbag system is not happy.

That said, I finally set up an old laptop with an "accquired" version of INPA 5.0 last night and used a vagcom KKL usb-OBD cable to plug into my 750. Wow. Holy detail and pretty easy to use menu-driven, though it will take some time to get comfortable with all the menus and I do have a great fear of frying pricey computers if I do something wrong. I will be spending some quality time with it tonight though, as I ran the basic "read errors" and came up with a long list of stored errors. At least once I figure them all out I'll be able to clear them and see if any reappear. Apparently I can also get live engine data read out as well, among other neat tricks. And with the right add-on installed, which I think is already there, I can code new electronic parts to the car, which is the whole reason I want to be able to use INPA in the first place. Once the CPO warranty expires in 17k miles I don't want to have to pay dealer labor rates to code replacement parts that I can install myself.

The thing about the Peake tools is that it's basically like the free tool rental from autozone. Buy it used, keep it around as long as you need it, then sell when you want your money back. Or just buy it new and take at most a $20 hit when you sell it. They don't wear out or depreciate.