Is there anyone out there that knows away to connect into the car's computer system so you can view the various features the computer manages while the cars in operation??

 

Check out Scan gauge II. It sees like a mighty good start!

 

Yes, OBDII scanners do that. xB communicates internally via a CAN bus and if you have a CAN compatible reader, you can monitor bunch of ECM parameters.

I personally have a scanner from http://autoxray.com . http://autoxray.com/product_category.php?id=338. Works well. But it only shows drivetrain type parameters (even though other systems communicate using CAN).

 

I'll second cubozoa's question. It seems to me there ought to be a general-purpose monitoring solution of some kind (and not prohibitively expensive), but I haven't been able to find it. (Not that I've searched *super* hard...)

 

Looking into the Scan guage II FOund a CAN buss adapter last night, works with both Macintosh and Windows OS. I will dig for more info, THANK YOU ALL!!

 

Found a possible winner!!

http://www.bimmerzone.com/OBD2_Scan_Tool.htm

Works with a PC, Mac and PDA's live data and recorded information too. around $300-400. Scan Gauage II is another winner, about $165 I plan to purchase this one, they are developing a second interface for a computer the end of the month.

 

The AutoEnginuity Scan Tool does indeed look pretty cool, though I don't see anything about Mac support on the bimmerzone site or AutoEnginuity's site.