I have a degree in Computer Engineering...you would think it would be easier to get my head around this.
I have a 2000 E39 M5 and would like to be able to read ODBII codes, BMW Factory codes, and log any available performance data while driving.
It sounds like I need a simple hardware interface that will read data from the car and push it to my laptop without interfering and trying to interpret the codes.
Once I have the interface (cable?, device?) I'm happy to write my own software to query and log data or fool around with whatever I can download. Of course this requires knowledge of the protocol/process. Is it query based? How do I know what the imcoming data means, etc.
So the questions I have are:
1. What interface would meet these requirements?
2. I'm sure I can find BMW factory codes, but what performance data is available for my vehicle?
3. What is the data protocol once I have the laptop connected? How do I query the computer? etc?
Sorry for such newbie questions. Some people want to read codes. Some people want to log data. Some people have BMW's...I just haven't gotten all of this to intersect well enough to get a good answer.
Thanks!
Knave