People sometimes ask if the Carly app and adapter is good for E46, so I thought we should finally have a thread about it. We have not made one mainly because it is not recommended for just E46. Why?
It is BMW-specific hardware/software, and as such can read error codes from all control modules. It can only code two modules: GM5 and LCM. It does let you view and log sensor data, including things that standard OBD apps cannot, such as engine oil temperature, coolant outlet temperature, VANOS, ATF temperature, etc.
I use the Carly adapter and app a lot on newer BMW models as the coding capabilities are much more extensive.
@BMW-North has a guide on Carly E46 coding capabilities.
I just went to the Google Play store and read everything on the Carly app, but it does not say what the pricing is; only that it is an annual auto-renewing subscription with no pricing disclosed. So then I installed the Carly app on my Android phone just to see what the annual subscription pricing is and report it here. But I cannot do ANYTHING with the app until I first sign in with some account; google, facebook, or an existing Carly account. These right away are big red flags..
product link: Carly adapter and app
- The price of adapter and app subscription are high compared to the features you get.
- The vendor has changed the app’s user interface many times and it is still terrible.
- Coding capabilities for E46 are very limited.
- The app’s vendor has done some shady practices in the past.
- Their over-the-top marketing is a turn off.
It is BMW-specific hardware/software, and as such can read error codes from all control modules. It can only code two modules: GM5 and LCM. It does let you view and log sensor data, including things that standard OBD apps cannot, such as engine oil temperature, coolant outlet temperature, VANOS, ATF temperature, etc.
I use the Carly adapter and app a lot on newer BMW models as the coding capabilities are much more extensive.
@BMW-North has a guide on Carly E46 coding capabilities.
I just went to the Google Play store and read everything on the Carly app, but it does not say what the pricing is; only that it is an annual auto-renewing subscription with no pricing disclosed. So then I installed the Carly app on my Android phone just to see what the annual subscription pricing is and report it here. But I cannot do ANYTHING with the app until I first sign in with some account; google, facebook, or an existing Carly account. These right away are big red flags..
product link: Carly adapter and app
