What diagnostic tools are needed for a 1999 5-series BMW?

Hello everyone,

I have a question about diagnostics for a 1999 BMW 5-series gasoline car (a colleague's car). Unfortunately, I'm only familiar with VAG-Com, and I don't know any diagnostic solutions for BMW yet. My colleague would like to be able to perform diagnostics himself, similar to how it's possible with VAG-Com on VW vehicles. He has a notebook with a USB port available.

What hardware and software would he need to achieve diagnostic capabilities equivalent to VAG-Com?
Is there anything comparable to BMW?

Hi Roger,

What's that?
http://shop.dieselschrauber.de/bavarian-technic-diagnose-fuer-bmw-p-38.php

It's compatible with BMW, but it might offer slightly fewer features than the Ross-Tech product.

Best regards, Rainer.

You can really be glad to be driving a car from the Volkswagen group.
BMW is still a developing market for simple home diagnostic systems...

Thanks for the information, I'll pass it on.