My notebook PC for car diagnostics has been in a box for couple years, running a (as I have come to find) way out of date version.
Recently we had the check engine light come on and dug out the computer to diagnose the problem.

I did download 3112N the last supported version for this cable, got it working and submitted the code to Ross-tech. I still need the old software runnig as the new one is crippled until I get the activation code, and that's OK for me as I'm getting by.

So I have an option to upgrade to newer cable & current software, for 200 bux, or simply keep 3112N and the Ross-tech ISO cable.

Assuming I keep this car and do not get another Audi, is there any benefit of the newer software 5xx version, & cable for a 2001 model?

<ul><li><a href="http://www.ross-tech.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&amp;Product_Code=NDong2KU&amp;Cat egory_Code=RetOldCOM">http://www.ross-tech.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&amp;Product_Code=NDong2KU&amp;Cat egory_Code=RetOldCOM</a</

http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/download/beta/500.html

http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/download/beta/current.html<ul><li><a href="http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/revisions.html">http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/revisions.html</a</li></ul>

If I was going to spend the $, I might as well get the latest cable, just in case I do get a newer Audi.

Would seem silly to upgrade (essentially) the software for 99 and then have to do it again for the hardware, if that software features is for newer cars only (between 02 and 05, which I know I'd never own).

I'd only get 06 or newer, so the CAN cable would be the right position choice, if I were to upgrade.

...this means measuring block descriptions (in some cases with specifications) and other stuff like coding/adaptation descriptions. Also there is now a generic OBD-2 mode and several other small improvements.