Hi Dave, are there any of these programs you mentioned free? I noticed Foxwell scanners for sale and there did not seem to be any need for a laptop to run them, they seem to be all in one. The reason I ask is I bought the original Carly tool a few years ago when they said all you pay is a one of fee and that was it, all further updates were free and no yearly subscription. They guaranteed this, then they brought out a new model with a yearly subscription and the one I had wouldn't work. I argued that was not the agreement but all they did was send me the new tool and ask for around £90.00 per year. I don't mind paying a one of fee but I get annoyed when they don't stand by there word.  sorry for the rant. Paneuro.

Morning Andrew

BMW ISTA/INPA is a program I have loaded onto an old Windows laptop I brought it probably 6 to 8 years ago as an upgrade to the copy of INPA I already owned as an aside the same Laptop has copies of several Diagnostics Mercedes Star Volvo I also have a copy of BMW 1.4.0 on there 

If you are mounting it on a Laptop I would go for ISTA/INPA cost should be around £100 when buying go for a good supplier offering back up (as always cheapest isnt always best) Your E61 will have around 100 Control ECU's and Sensors ISTA will find and read them all or show them as a Greyed out box. These can be ivestigated and fixed as the program includes Wiring Diagrams Workshop Information with Pictures and Diagrams  which obviously are a great help 

My neibour brought iCarsoft for BMW which has free upgrades (he tells me) I have looked at it and it seems very good but lacks the WIS obviously again a one off cost 

BMW themselves started to block access to their Technical Information website now subscription only in 2019 they also did the same for their parts website but for cars up to 2019 it is still a great tool.

Hope this helps not hinders

Dave

Thanks Dave, I will have to find somebody to download and install it for me as its a bit beyond my capabilities.

I will keep ypu posted on the progress. Happy new year Paneuro.

Hi Dave, not had a great January so far health wise including a week in hospital but back on the mend hopefully now. I'm trying to catch up on a few repairs due to the heavy storms sot got anything done about Ista/inpa but will keep you posted when i get moving. cheers Paneuro

Cheers Andrew

Stay on the mend 

Dave