BMW drivers love to personalize their cars. And it’s not always about new brakes, wheels, or spoilers.

 

Coding and diagnostics can transform the driving experience just as much – whether it’s turning off the annoying Auto Start/Stop, unlocking a digital speedometer, or running a quick scan before a long trip. 

 

These tweaks are much easier if you pick the right tool. And for DIY coding and diagnostics, two options stand out: OBDeleven and BimmerCode/BimmerLink.  

 

Both are powerful and easy to use. But there are key differences, such as price, supported vehicles, and features – and that’s what we’ll cover here. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OBDeleven 3 is a Bluetooth-based OBD-II dongle and app combo designed for advanced car diagnostics. Think of it as an all-in-one toolbox that works across multiple car brands. 

 

Originally, OBDeleven made its name in the Volkswagen Group world before becoming officially licensed by the BMW Group in 2019. Since then, it has grown into a versatile solution that is officially licensed not only by Volkswagen and BMW Groups, but also Toyota and Ford (US).  

 

 

You can check all available OBDeleven features for BMW here. 

 

 

 

 

 
 

Source: bimmercode.com 
 

BimmerCode is a coding-only app focused exclusively on BMW, MINI, and the Toyota Supra. While it’s not officially licensed, it has built up a great reputation within the BMW community for its brand-specific capabilities. 

 

BimmerLink acts as the companion app for BMW diagnostics, fault code reading, live data, DPF regens, battery registration, and service resets. Both have a clear interface that makes it easy to tweak vehicle settings. Together, they pretty much match OBDeleven’s scope, but as two separate apps. 

 

  

 

 

 

 

But that’s not all – the tool also supports other brands. 

 

We're talking VAG Group (VW, Audi, Škoda, SEAT, CUPRA), Toyota, and Ford (US), with more being added over time. So, if your household has any of these cars, OBDeleven is a smart long-term investment.

 

To use OBDeleven, you’ll need its proprietary dongle. The app runs on Android 8.0+ and iOS 16.6+, so make sure your phone or tablet meets those requirements. 

 

BimmerCode and BimmerLink support BMW, MINI, and Toyota Supra models, also those 2008 or older. The apps run on iOS 12+, Android 5.0+, and even desktop. 

 

They also work with a wide range of third-party OBD adapters, including OBDLink MX+, UniCarScan UCSI-2100. This means you aren’t locked to one particular dongle but need to choose one for yourself. 

 

 

 

 

No – OBDeleven proprietary dongle isn’t compatible with BimmerCode or BimmerLink apps. So, if you want to use both OBDeleven and BimmerCode/BimmerLink, you’ll need two different adapters. 

 

 

 

OBDeleven makes coding approachable with its One-Click Apps. These are pre-coded shortcuts for popular features like folding mirrors, comfort windows, or digital speed displays. You don’t need to dive into long coding lists to get results – just pick a feature and activate it. Available functions differ depending on the model, make, and year. You can check what’s available for your vehicle right here. 

 

One-Click Apps are charged extra. But, it’s based on a credit system, which means you only pay for what you use. If you prefer unlimited access, the ULTIMATE subscription removes credit limits.* 

 

BimmerCode is a hand-down winner when it comes to manual coding, as OBDeleven does not support it for BMW vehicles yet. There’s also some pre-coded functions available too.

 

Their special Expert Mode lets you go even further and unlock deeper access into specific control units.  You can do a lot with this, but only if you have prior knowledge or time to look it up on forums and manuals.  

 

However, Expert Mode comes with risk. If you’re not sure what you’re changing, you could cause irreversible damage. Pre-coded functions are generally safe, but manual coding steps into dealership-level territory. Worst case scenario, you can seriously damage your car’s electronic control unit.  

 

If you’d rather not risk it, sticking to One-Click Apps or their BimmerCode alternatives is a better idea – especially when there’s so many pre-made functions available. 
 
*Fair use policy applies. More info here. 

 

 

 

OBDeleven offers full BMW integration in one app. Because it’s officially licensed by BMW Group, you can scan every control unit and clear BMW-specific faults in minutes. You also get live data like engine RPM, coolant temperature, and fuel status, plus access to service features such as control unit info, history logs, and new battery registration. 

 

The best part? OBDeleven isn’t limited to BMW. With official licenses for Volkswagen Group, Toyota, and Ford (US), you get the same advanced diagnostics across brands. And for most other cars made after 2008, you’ll still have essential OBD2 functions like fault scanning and clearing. 

 

 BimmerLink (a separate app from BimmerCode) covers many of the same areas – advanced diagnostics, live data, and battery registration. It even adds maintenance features such as DPF regeneration. But it only works with BMW Group cars. Which means if you add another brand to your garage, you’ll need a different scanner – and the costs can add up. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OBDeleven is simple for daily drivers and offers enough depth for enthusiasts. You'll easily follow the interface even if you've never touched a diagnostic tool before. 

 

One-Click Apps show this ease-of-use best. A couple of taps is all it takes to apply customizations that would otherwise require time-consuming manual coding. Available for plenty of different vehicle makes too. 

 

Free Carplay & Android Auto integration makes it even better. You can view live data or battery status directly on your infotainment screen, while also getting handy maintenance reminders. 

 

BimmerCode is also a user-friendly app. But, as mentioned previously, it’s more streamlined for BMW. This means long clean lists of manual coding options or pre-made functions, from which you can find a specific one you need. BimmerLink, if compared to its companion, has more visual screens for live data and diagnostic tests. 

 

BimmerCode also includes CarPlay and Android Auto integration, even letting you pick which sensor values to display on your BMW infotainment screen. But unlike OBDeleven, it comes at an extra $10 cost. 

 

 

 

 

OBDeleven 3 starts at a one-time cost of €84.99. That price gets you the newest dongle and unlimited free diagnostics both for BMW and other makes. If you want more, you can add subscriptions or Credits for extra features. 

 

In short, OBDeleven has three main plans: 

 

FREE – included automatically with OBDeleven 3. You get advanced code reading and clearing, live data, history logs, and vehicle information. You can also use One-Click Apps, purchased individually with Credits (about €2 per function). 

 

PRO (€59.99/year) – unlocks manual coding and adaptations for Volkswagen Group vehicles. Features include gateway coding, control unit backup and reset, basic settings, and more. You also get SFD unlock (not in FREE) and priority customer support. 

 

ULTIMATE (€189.99/year) – everything in PRO, plus a huge bonus: nearly unlimited Credits. That means you can run as many One-Click Apps as you like without paying extra.* 

 

*Fair use policy applies. More info here. 

 

BimmerCode’s full version costs £49.99 (≈€56) as a one-time purchase. BimmerLink, the companion diagnostics app, is £39.99 (≈€46). If you want the CarPlay add-on, that’s another £9.99 (≈€11.5). So, for the complete package – coding plus diagnostics – you’re looking at roughly £100 (≈€115). 

 

But that’s not all. You’ll also need a compatible dongle. The ones recommended by BimmerCode range from £50 to £150 or more, depending on your platform. Which means the total comes closer to £200 (≈€230). 

 

At first glance, BimmerCode might seem cheaper. But once you factor in everything, both tools end up in a very similar price range for one-year use. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Both OBDeleven and BimmerCode are excellent tools. It really comes down to your needs: OBDeleven wins on breadth and convenience, while BimmerCode/Link takes the crown for BMW-specific depth and flexibility. 

Our advice would be to choose OBDeleven if you own multiple brands (e.g., BMW + VW/Audi) and prefer an all-in-one system for both coding and diagnostics. 

 

Choose BimmerCode (and BimmerLink) if you drive only BMW/MINI (or Toyota Supra) and want a platform laser-focused on your car, prefer a one-time purchase with no ongoing costs and/or want the option to use Expert Mode for advanced manual coding. 

 

Also, if you’re not interested in coding at all, diagnostics will be similar on both apps. But, if you want everything in one place without any additional third-party tools, then OBDeleven is your best choice.