Does anyone have experience with, or know something about the software and cable offered by Jaguar & Land Rover Diagnostics Equipment ? They claim their software allows access to all the diagnostic features available on the car. Before spending $$, I'd like to know a bit about them.

Cheers,
2008xkr

 

They are clone / knockoff interfaces of questional reliability & longevity, and the software is hacked/cracked to make it work (unreliably) in a Virtual Machine which is not a good idea.

The software does NOT allow access to all diagnostic & programming features (because they are locked out by JLR) and i'd say there's about a 50/50 hit rate of people screwing up their cars with these things.

Lots of threads on this subject, the biggest one here https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/g...5/#post1618595

Plus many others...

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/f...c-tool-175069/
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...ol-xkr-165423/
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/s...rt-car-109335/
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...e-woes-148785/
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...aution-164675/
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...ar-ids-174039/

If you want to do anything on the car, you need a battery charger capable of putting out a big current like >25A, and ideally closer to 50A. If the battery voltage drops while doing any diagnostic work you will have problems... Battery Charger JOSC543_ROW.pdf

If you want something that is going to be reliable, you need to invest a bit more than $100...

 

+1 on Cambo's comments.

If you do your own work, invest in quality.

That means Jaguar's VCM units and software 1st.

Autoenginuity is decent software but has limitations. You can look at their website and it will show the capabilities.

You can execute module configurations with the VCM software that you can't do with AE.

Used the VCM units are going to run around $1000 give or take $200 depending on whose selling. Check the forum's ads or eBay.

Autoenginuity will run you around $800 new.

I own both and have my AE unit primarily for when the warranty runs out on my wife's Cadillac. I used it for my Mercedes and my XJ Super V8 and it paid for itself with a single SRS repair on the MB. If you want to buy it, PM me. I'm not looking to unload it, but will listen to offers.

Jaguar still sells the VCM new for around $2400?

There are hand held devices that seem to satisfy the average shade tree mechanic. Icarsoft i930 comes to mind. The unit gets mixed reviews on how well it works. You won't be able to configure diddly, but you can clear error codes.

Any approach will have it's pros and cons that only you can weigh based on your skill set.
If you work on your own cars, my advice is to buy the best tool you can afford for the jobs you're willing/ able to do.

 

Thanks Cambo and Sean, sounds like I'll steer clear of it and look at other options when funds permit.