How to get BMW TIS (service manuals) for free

TheMidnightNarwhal wrote

Hey just to update this post, it's been a long time but this TIS I think is the older version.

If you want the new version I think the only place left is Bimmergeeks and download the Rheingold package. https://www.bimmergeeks.net/downloads

I gotten my new ISTA via a forum post on the F30 forums but it was odly taken down but IIRC that was like 2 years ago.

Since newTIS was taken down yesterday I've been searching for an alternative. I'm good with a wrench but am minimally computer literate. All I want is repair instructions like newTIS had. If I download this Rheingold package will I have something useful to me, or is that just step one to some more involved process?

Opie55 wrote

TheMidnightNarwhal wrote

Hey just to update this post, it's been a long time but this TIS I think is the older version.

If you want the new version I think the only place left is Bimmergeeks and download the Rheingold package. https://www.bimmergeeks.net/downloads

I gotten my new ISTA via a forum post on the F30 forums but it was odly taken down but IIRC that was like 2 years ago.

Since newTIS was taken down yesterday I've been searching for an alternative. I'm good with a wrench but am minimally computer literate. All I want is repair instructions like newTIS had. If I download this Rheingold package will I have something useful to me, or is that just step one to some more involved process?

Me too! Such a bummer to lose newtis.

I'm smack in the middle of both an M3 and a JCW repair! Perfect timing taking it down. This sucks!

Opie55 wrote

Since newTIS was taken down yesterday I've been searching for an alternative. I'm good with a wrench but am minimally computer literate. All I want is repair instructions like newTIS had. If I download this Rheingold package will I have something useful to me, or is that just step one to some more involved process?

Rheingold (I just call is ISTA) includes everything newTIS had. In addition it also has code reading/diagnostic, certain coding/programming and you can run service functions or trigger certain components of each module in the car.

That said, you don't need a compatible cable you can manually input the VIN of your car in it as well and it will load everything related to that car in the session you will open.

takrdown wrote

I'm smack in the middle of both an M3 and a JCW repair! Perfect timing taking it down. This sucks!

I am soon going to be diving into my cars, so this very bad timing.
Time to learn ISTA.... newTIS was just so convenient and searchable.

eljay wrote

I am soon going to be diving into my cars, so this very bad timing.
Time to learn ISTA.... newTIS was just so convenient and searchable.

Type in your VIN

Vehicle Management > Repair/Maintenance > Product Structure or Text Search

It's much slower than newtis.info but at least the information is there still.

eljay wrote

I am soon going to be diving into my cars, so this very bad timing.
Time to learn ISTA.... newTIS was just so convenient and searchable.

Clear your PM's and send me a message, tried messaging you but your box is full.

So the 2017 posts above say you need Windows XP, but that was long ago. So if I don't care for now about hooking up to my car for diagnostics and just want repair instructions, can I download the ISTA Rheingold to a Windows 10 machine?

Opie55 wrote

So the 2017 posts above say you need Windows XP, but that was long ago. So if I don't care for now about hooking up to my car for diagnostics and just want repair instructions, can I download the ISTA Rheingold to a Windows 10 machine?

Yeah if you use the new ISTA it works on Win 10. My ISTA is on a win 10 laptop.

You can download it from Bimmergeeks download too if you are just aiming for older cars. Their version is fairly older but I dont' remember the actual date of their system.

If you look hard enough at rutracker.org you will find the latest and greatest.

TheMidnightNarwhal wrote

Yeah if you use the new ISTA it works on Win 10. My ISTA is on a win 10 laptop.

Thanks. I will download the version in the link you posted a couple days ago and see if I can figure it out.

TheMidnightNarwhal wrote

Yeah if you use the new ISTA it works on Win 10. My ISTA is on a win 10 laptop.

The computer dumb guy (me) needs some more guidance. I downloaded the 9.89 GB zipped file from the Bimmergeeks link, which said it was a WINRar archive file. I clicked on it and the WINRar pane opened and I clicked on "Export to". That seemed to work and I now have a 20.9 GB file called "ISTA(D)-Install." That folder has two subfolders - "Pre-Install" and "Rheingold." "Pre-install" has about 5 .exe files. Rheingold has a bunch of files with weird file extensions and a few pdf user manuals in various languages. So I assume I am ok so far (?), but I literally have no clue what to do next. I tried to watch a YouTube video but it was hard to follow. Is there a plain-English "how to" someplace that will get me from where I am now to something usable? Thanks for any help you can give me.

Opie55 wrote

TheMidnightNarwhal wrote

Yeah if you use the new ISTA it works on Win 10. My ISTA is on a win 10 laptop.

The computer dumb guy (me) needs some more guidance. I downloaded the 9.89 GB zipped file from the Bimmergeeks link, which said it was a WINRar archive file. I clicked on it and the WINRar pane opened and I clicked on "Export to". That seemed to work and I now have a 20.9 GB file called "ISTA(D)-Install." That folder has two subfolders - "Pre-Install" and "Rheingold." "Pre-install" has about 5 .exe files. Rheingold has a bunch of files with weird file extensions and a few pdf user manuals in various languages. So I assume I am ok so far (?), but I literally have no clue what to do next. I tried to watch a YouTube video but it was hard to follow. Is there a plain-English "how to" someplace that will get me from where I am now to something usable? Thanks for any help you can give me.

There is a text file with instructions included. I forget the name.
Follow every step carefully. It's a long process, but simple.

eljay wrote

There is a text file with instructions included. I forget the name.
Follow every step carefully. It's a long process, but simple.

I will look for that. Thanks.

eljay wrote

There is a text file with instructions included. I forget the name.
Follow every step carefully. It's a long process, but simple.

Well, I was very proud of myself right up to the end. I downloaded the Standard Tools software and installed it. Then followed all the ISTA installation instructions, but when I launched it the ITSA pane came up but with this message:

"The connection to one of the required databases could not be established. Please check DSS #00046632EN for further trouble shooting."

Seems like a common problem, but the solutions are unclear or seems outdated. Anybody know what I did wrong? The only thing I did not do was when I first launched ITSA to complete setup in the step where you paste the long license info, it asks for my name and email (which supplies a BMW email suffix), an explanation of what I am doing and and a dealer number. I left that blank (besides the license) because the instructions did not mention it. But nothing on Google about the error code mentions that stuff as an issue. Help?

Anyone happen to have a mirror of this? Looks like it got DMCA'ed 3/31/22...

I love your work and really wanna try it?

The links are no longer valid, I guess BMW didn't like it

Send me a message as I think this could be so useful, we can discuss hosting as well if you like..

m3_robert wrote

I love your work and really wanna try it?

The links are no longer valid, I guess BMW didn't like it

Send me a message as I think this could be so useful, we can discuss hosting as well if you like..

Yeah, they, like many companies are still refusing right to repair for many owners.

It’s both annoying and whole heartedly a dick move.

You can subscribe to BMw TIS and pay the money, then download as many thing as you want within the timeframe, but that’s all I’ve found this far.

Someone else might be able to chime in but if you don’t have ISTA, then you are kinda SOL.

-Duke

Yeah sorry guys like I mentioned earlier in the thread I don't have this TIS anymore. I have instead obtained ISTA (Rheingold) online. Unfortunately doesn't seem like Bimmergeeks has it anymore I recommend you search the web. Pretty sure it can be found via torrent.

Try this link: https://rutracker.org/forum/dl.php?t=6324866

Has anyone found a good solution for bmwtis replacement?

As a follow up, I found this: https://workshop-manuals.com/ - has all the TIS information, but is a bit clunky to use.