How to get BMW TIS (service manuals) for free

Opie55 · 10-10-2020, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

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?

DRLane · 10-10-2020, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Opie55

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

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.

takrdown · 10-10-2020, 07:21 PM

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

TheMidnightNarwhal · 10-11-2020, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Opie55

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.

eljay · 10-11-2020, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by takrdown

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.

derbo · 10-11-2020, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eljay

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.

Cyberdemon · 10-12-2020, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eljay

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.

Opie55 · 10-13-2020, 11:33 AM

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?

TheMidnightNarwhal · 10-13-2020, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Opie55

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.

derbo · 10-13-2020, 01:38 PM

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.

Opie55 · 10-13-2020, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

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.

Opie55 · 10-15-2020, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

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.

eljay · 10-15-2020, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Opie55

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

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.

Opie55 · 10-15-2020, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eljay

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.

Opie55 · 10-15-2020, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eljay

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?

e90_503 · 04-14-2022, 09:36 PM

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

m3_robert · 04-18-2023, 04:50 AM

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..

DukeofAlexandria · 04-18-2023, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m3_robert

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

TheMidnightNarwhal · 04-18-2023, 06:44 AM

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.

VonBimmer · 07-09-2023, 10:37 AM

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

TexasEmThree · 03-17-2024, 09:00 PM

Has anyone found a good solution for bmwtis replacement?

TexasEmThree · 03-19-2024, 09:09 AM

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

10-10-2020, 07:21 PM	#25
takrdown Other car was a submarine 94 Rep 704 Posts Drives: i4M50 (waiting), 2013 R56 JCW Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Central CT iTrader: (7)	I'm smack in the middle of both an M3 and a JCW repair! Perfect timing taking it down. This sucks!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-13-2020, 11:33 AM	#30
Opie55 Colonel 1195 Rep 2,906 Posts Drives: '15 650i Convertible Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: US iTrader: (0)	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?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-13-2020, 01:38 PM	#32
derbo Derbo Tuning 3609 Rep 3,022 Posts Drives: BMW M3 Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (2)	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. __________________ IG:ruhrohz_m3 Journal: Link E9x ZCP Suspension Info: Link Track Chat Discord: https://discord.gg/VsKbTyqBVj SF Bay Area: DM For coding services
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04-14-2022, 09:36 PM	#38
e90_503 New Member 12 Rep 27 Posts Drives: 09 E90 M3 Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: OR iTrader: (0)	Anyone happen to have a mirror of this? Looks like it got DMCA'ed 3/31/22...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-18-2023, 04:50 AM	#39
m3_robert Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: BMW M3 E46 Join Date: Apr 2023 Location: Hook iTrader: (0)	Amazing work! 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..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-18-2023, 06:44 AM	#41
TheMidnightNarwhal Major General 2657 Rep 6,289 Posts Drives: 11' 335is DCT Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Gatineau, Quebec iTrader: (0)	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.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-09-2023, 10:37 AM	#42
VonBimmer His Vön:ness 11 Rep 45 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 335i Coupe Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Grand Junction, CO iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW 335i [0.00]	Try this link: https://rutracker.org/forum/dl.php?t=6324866
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03-17-2024, 09:00 PM	#43
TexasEmThree Private 26 Rep 80 Posts Drives: 2011 ZCP M3 Join Date: May 2018 Location: Austin, Texas iTrader: (1)	Has anyone found a good solution for bmwtis replacement?
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03-19-2024, 09:09 AM	#44
TexasEmThree Private 26 Rep 80 Posts Drives: 2011 ZCP M3 Join Date: May 2018 Location: Austin, Texas iTrader: (1)	As a follow up, I found this: https://workshop-manuals.com/ - has all the TIS information, but is a bit clunky to use.
	Appreciate 0 Quote