OBD tool recommendation

[baldricks mate]

Hi All, self explanatory. Range on ebay for instance seems too simple or dodgy, some prob OK and I don't know enough to tell good from bad.
FYI...located Australia. RHD 1997 Z3 1.9l, no OBD 2 port fitted that I can find, RHS engine bay has huge under hood connector port that has 10 active pins. The RHS has a similar connector with 13 active pins. I have no clue what this one is for.
Need to check and clear codes or code in new components.
I figure I'll need an adaptor cable too
Price? Up to a couple of hundred -ish Aussie $. Pounds? probably 100 - ish or so.
Recommendations for a 2 week old owner with not the foggiest idea please?

 

[Grumps]

It is the round port under the bonnet and an adaptor is indeed required

 

[ChrisD]

Here’s the underbonnet OBD connector on a UK spec 1.9:

And, here’s a thread about wireless OBD, should you wish to go down this route: https://zroadster.org/threads/wireless-diagnostics-and-data-logging.69599/

 

[baldricks mate]

Here’s the underbonnet OBD connector on a UK spec 1.9:
View attachment 345385
And, here’s a thread about wireless OBD, should you wish to go down this route: https://zroadster.org/threads/wireless-diagnostics-and-data-logging.69599/

Thanks,, you've confirmed what I figured - that is it. The port on the other side is a mystery still.

 

[ChrisD]

The engine wiring harness plugs into a similar looking connector on the other side of the engine. If you have an auto, I believe that that also uses a similar connector.

 

[Ianmc]

I have yet to find a suitable OBD 1 reader for my M44 Apr 1997 build. Would be interested in what you find.

 

[colb]

Your car has the earlier OBD1 they changed over to OBD2 around 1998/99. To code read an early car it has to be done using a Laptop with a dedicated old style serial port and a suitable cable that can be connected with an adapter cable to the round Pac-man socket in the engine bay. The software required on the Laptop will be BMW INPA which you will find on ebay, some these days it comes on a usb stick to load it on the Laptop or a CD Disc. Finding a Laptop with an old style serial port is going to be difficult as will the cable. If it were OBD2 connection can be made via a usb cable and a BMW Cable changer adapter that has 16pin obd2 to 20pin BMW round diagnostic plug for the pac-man socket.
Cable changer for OBD2 here for connection to OBD2 Scanners https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_...0.l1311&_odkw=bmw+inpa+software&_osacat=34998

BMW INPA software here https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_...w=bmw+20+to+16+pin+diagnostic+cable&_osacat=0

Actually found a serial cable on ebay here https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/30376362...eeVPLbo8lqTPnDaUOw4tXpWc8=|tkp:Bk9SR_bW_uSXZg

 

[ChrisD]

The engine controller on early Z3s is OBDII compatible.

 

[baldricks mate]

Your car has the earlier OBD1 they changed over to OBD2 around 1998/99. To code read an early car it has to be done using a Laptop with a dedicated old style serial port and a suitable cable that can be connected with an adapter cable to the round Pac-man socket in the engine bay. The software required on the Laptop will be BMW INPA which you will find on ebay, some these days it comes on a usb stick to load it on the Laptop or a CD Disc. Finding a Laptop with an old style serial port is going to be difficult as will the cable. If it were OBD2 connection can be made via a usb cable and a BMW Cable changer adapter that has 16pin obd2 to 20pin BMW round diagnostic plug for the pac-man socket.
Cable changer for OBD2 here for connection to OBD2 Scanners https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_...0.l1311&_odkw=bmw+inpa+software&_osacat=34998

BMW INPA software here https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_...w=bmw+20+to+16+pin+diagnostic+cable&_osacat=0

Actually found a serial cable on ebay here https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/303763625897?_skw=bmw+serial+cable&itmmeta=01K2Z4ZNDJNT0ZJ1MQD255CWMM&hash=item46b9b917a9:g:5osAAOSwrYJfrVs4&itmprp=enc:AQAKAAAA0FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1dguyue59bCvfSmHNhXSkV0vPXAMX8havEXg96ClhhAoIZXiAIy6H4+y3F4i2CkfZXl2fzkZ/ZwaN7hiQ+O48K+QIm2gc1e5mQPBYmcuXHzZCpSuVYVB7cn/H/O6AAEpj3HxE9pwQVdcNx91Fnyw/VMNz42FTgTn37taf7Eyri5/3NbkhNCycElUACjYC149cs7YntPEeij9vhgsyRZ8CaD8EcQf3tbMonskxul92eeVPLbo8lqTPnDaUOw4tXpWc8=|tkp:Bk9SR_bW_uSXZg

Thank you! Very comprehensive.
And thus the knowledge bank begins with the Brains Trust!