I bought the one off Ebay, would not power up. He sent me a refund and now I’m sending it back.

I built my own cable and connect it to either phone or computer and use the apps available for free like MEMs Rosco. They offer a better interface and are much easier to read, and even record, live data.

Where are you located?
This page on the Mini Forum lists the various ACR components:
https://www.theminiforum.co.uk/forums/topic/34741-spi-code-reader/page-7

It appears the ebay listing has what you need. I am not sure I see a picture of the Rover 3 Pod.

The ACR 2 will require you to scroll through the display to see all the data.
Making the idle adjustment is critical and a code reader with this function is necessary. The idle screw setting should not be modified, but after 20-30 years, people have adjusted alot of things.

I've had this tool and sold it. It's able to the tell the temp of coolant. But most important, it allows you to correctly set the idle speed. I think it is only way , could be wrong.

For any SPi Mini owner who does some or most of their own work on their car, a Sykes-Picavant ACR is a great tool to have if you can afford it. This was the standard diagnostic tool for anyone outside of a Rover dealership (who would use a Rover Testbook) to diagnose Mini ECU codes and issues.

If you're outside of Europe, even if you don't do your own work, chances are most mechanics won't have a SPi compatible scan tool so the ACR could be helpful for the pro mechanic to figure out problems.

Of course, on a budget you can look into the homemade solutions, which I understand can work well. But take some tinkering work and aren't just plug and play like the ACR is. (some of those homebrew scan tools can do more than the ACR though.)

If you do go for this set, make sure it has the SPi specific cable (it has the control pod, but there's no clear picture of the cable assortment so just make sure the cable is there as well.) It would be a round plug with three connectors on it. (if you want to use it on an MPi, that requires another cable that looks like a modern OBD-II plug on one end.)

You might look into this free software tool:
https://rovermems.com/

You will still need to buy a cable, but the software is kept up to date and you have email support.
Terry

Welcome, Tony!

I have no idea when it comes to code readers, but Sykes-Pickavnt has been a long-time producer of quality tools for Mini. "You pays ypur money and you takes your chance."  From the look of it  (via the link) it might be a good deal for you.

We occasionally have spammer attacks around here, where a spammer posts with a link that has nothing to do with Minis. Usually they tag onto an existing thread, though they have also started a new thread on occasion. The usual giveaway is that they make the post using a brand-new login. So, new member, me post on same day with link usually equals spam!

Luckily you did things right!

Cheers!

Hi everyone,

I'm new here, but I have a '92 Mini SPi. I've heard of these code readers but have never seen one before. Is this something good to have?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/225387759062?hash=item347a2845d6:g:-~0AAOSwhN5j2HqN&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAA4FlUiubUzlyvXIhRVYD5RC1CfxgncagfMSGfTpUOrFNbiXZNOaamwEC8bM23w77TfcQTHtZ2HhRDf5huJvICkBd89syzEquj3t1glYne0Py3T4a7PmUWVLzPdWGddp4qP%2BxuIzjai7yT4kW42NPT2hg3y4NIk%2FyEaHL84Lq7AouKtIfOZWbGmPbC%2BgTNk56Y%2FAbLZYAg01ffpyKQ4E2yesOcka9QX1EJdJ%2F8O%2BikGlwsiW7GDQFGRzq78k3GKwv9uBMFM9Sv2Chg78PRZB4RpdSGxY57jixVgIBy5pLeO58F%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR-Tv-NbDYQ

Thanks,
Tony