lml999

I've been using Ross Tech (for my Audis) on Fusion/Mac for years, and I have to say, if I were to do it over again, I would just buy a cheap Windows laptop dedicated to the usage. It's easier than doing the dance with Fusion, and keeping Fusion updated, etc...

siberian

That was my initial thought as well. However I just upgraded to the M1 Mac so I have a MBP running 10.12.6 sitting idle for now.

So I thought it would be a great repository to use for PIWIS. But why do you need to keep Fusion updated? I'm running VAG-COM on a (very dated) notepad (for my Touareg and friend's Q7) running WIN XP SP2 that I only use for that and a few non OSX applications. Other than updating Ross-Tech the PC is never on the net and no interest whatsoever to migrate to any other Win version.

siberian

siberian

Here is the reply I received:

Hi
Version 40.450.020 development mode- 300 Euro, Realise September 2021, excellent version,

Or

38.200.017+40.450.020 - 500 Euro (2 version - the best) for vas6154 clone or PT3G original
----
we have installations on a clean SSD, but many buyers from the USA put my versions on MAC. Even on an external SSD

payment via Paypal

v9500357811@gmail.com .

pay friends and family immediately after payment you will receive 2 versions (one image with dual boot) v 38.200.017 + v 40.450.020
this is the best of what is available at the moment, including a good engineering mode for taycan the software also includes new firmware , encoding and parameterization

in addition, the Porsche license for the VAS6154 head is installed inside each version, not in the head (THIS IS IMPORTANT!)

if your head goes bad, you just buy another one inexpensively and our software will work with it

if the license is in the head itself, (VXDAS for example), then you:

1. every 2 months you will have to get licenses for your head on a Chinese server, and at some point you will not get a license (the term of Chinese licenses recco lives for more than a year)

2. if something happens to the head, you will have to buy another head in VXDAS for $ 400-600. the aliexpress head will not work with VXDAS software

3. vxdas closes its software from copying (bitlocker + vmprotect). You will not be able to copy it and make a backup copy, in case the SSD fails

You can choose

we don't use Ebay, we don't even have time for this, we have a queue for a month ahead, buyers from all over the world, and a lot of car repair work


So it seems the easiest from what is mentioned is to get the dual software (500 Euros) on an external SSD and buy a VAS6154 clone head unit. Thoughts?

siberian

JB911

Yeah man,
You should post this on the "Received my Piwis" thread-the PIWIS 3 has evolved in the last 6 months or so, and the members posting there have a lot of knowledge and good advice. Since the 40.450.020 is fairly recent, even members there haven't used it, and many already dealt with Belauto(he is recommended)
There are also members from Germany that contribute, and those who have used the VMware version.
There is an issue as far as I know, M1 Macs can't use the VMware Fusion option-but this might have also changed in recent months.
There was also a member selling a 1.66 firmware VCI, and it might still be available. It seems like Belauto has come up with some changes, and as mentioned, the members there offer very good advice. In your case, you're at the edge with the new 992, and will need the benefits of the newest possible software. But some of the older software is also desirable for various reasons, strangely it doesn't seem to be a linear progression of the newest version being the best-though it might be in your case.

So I would just copy and paste what he wrote you, and see what members advise you. Also, when you have to enter development mode, the language is mostly in german. If you have an iPhone with iOS 15 there are new text translation aids, using the camera, so that should also help users-

Best,
John

siberian

Thanks John, I just posted on the "Received my PIWIS III" thread.

No I wouldn't use the M1 for that. As I mentioned I now have a "retired" MBP running 10.12.6 that would be perfect and order simply an external SSD. Alas it will mean myriads of cables as it seems that we're still tethered with PIWIS from PC to dongle and this would be another (USB) cable. But if this is correct I can simply boot off the external image when needed once I find a VAS6154 (a member on the MF is actually selling one with software v 1.6.6.0), I just need to link up with him.

As to German, I'm fluent in it so no issues there.

Again thank you so much for your help!

siberian

JB911

I have a 2011 MacBook Pro 17" and it seems they've become quite valuable since the Ram and drive can be user upgraded. This ended with 15" models year 2012 I believe-
So I've had 16 Gb of Ram, and uprgraded my old hard drive to the fastest newest internal SSD, very cheap(around $100 from best buy, and it transformed my older Mac-
So check out your laptop options, and that other thread will offer more details and options if you post specifics on your older Mac. It could be that there is a new option for the new M1 macs-

Best,
JB

siberian

Mine is a 13" 2012 year I believe and yes, I did max out the memory to 16GB. I'd like to keep the existing (drive) content on the old MBP for now so going for an external SSD dual boot seems to be the least painful and expensive option.

Any ideas how much VAS6154s go for these days? Is the software on those upgradeable or do you just junk it and get a new one with the latest and greatest?

siberian

JB911

The VCIs available on eBay went from $59 to over $89 last time I checked. Then the 1.66 firmware versions were available as well, and on aliexpress.
I don't know which ones are available now, a few months passed by-you can always get the VCI from Belauto-more expensive but probably less to worry about.
People on the other thread probably know more details of the current status of VCIs

JB

JB911

Almost forgot to mention-ordering from eBay and aliexpress was taking at least a month to receive. Most who ordered from Belauto received in less time as far as I know. If the member on that post still has a 1.66 VCI for sale, it would be good to get it-

JB

runbuh

I bought the x431 solely because I couldn't do coding with 40.x. . I also like the fact that coding via the x431 is a crapload faster than using PIWIS.

I know there's a lot of recent posts in this thread that I haven't read, so I'm just going to poke this in for your Mac users (I am one). If you dedicate enough RAM and CPU to your PIWIS VM, coding should work just fine. I think someone mentioned a 16GB RAM MacBook Pro 17. You want at least 8GB of RAM and at least 2 CPU cores dedicated to the VM, and don't be doing anything else on the machine while that VM is connected to your car.

I would not do firmware updates via a VM until you've tested your exact configuration.

I have never gotten a VAL to run to completion via a VM, but I have not done a lot of debugging around that, yet. Belauto says that no clone, using a clone head unit, can complete a VAL (VM is pure hardware). Someone prove me wrong!

Definitely use Parallels over Fusion (in my experience).

JB911

I've done a complete VAL and Vehicle Handover, but my car is a 2011 GT3 and compared to a Macan, Cayenne, Panamera, 992 etc there are a lot less modules- I dedicate almost all of the Ram on my MacBook pro to the VM and 4 cores-
Also a reminder, you need a power supply of at least 40 amps for earlier 911s, 55, 75 or 100 amps for newer vehicles.

JB

siberian

You mean plugging it into a CTEK Lithium charger/maintainer is not enough while you're using PIWIS??

siberian

JB911

Not at all-my CTEK is just to keep the battery well charged while the car is sleeping(it's not my daily driver)
I got a 55 amp one, Powermax. The cheapest way to go is a computer power source. Search and you'll find the DIY online and youtube videos. You can get one for as little as $10-$30 on eBay.
It will keep you busy while you wait for the Piwis
JB

siberian

OK, now I'm totally confused. What exactly do you need this power inverter for? The laptop or the vehicle? PIWIS sucks that much current? Sorry for the obtuseness but I don't follow

siberian

JB911

Whether you're using Piwis or any other device to program and code, you need a power source connected to the battery- Service manual for 997 says 40 amps. Newer cars from 55 to 100 amps.
Search BMW coding and programming-they require 100 amps as well-
Many posts about it on rennlist
JB