V70 Auto - Anti Skid Service Required - Diagnostic help.

[pupley]

1st post so be gentle, hope you guys (and girls) can help. Have researched my issues but am a little overwhelemed with the volume of info out there, thought best to join and start new thread specific to my course of diagnosis and repair as i'm keeping my new girl (dog wagon) for the long term. I know direction I need to go (I think) and hopefully this thread might help others going down same path (im sure im not the first either).

Just bought a v70 Estate Auto, '06 plate, 90k miles, good/great condition. My previous dog wagon was a v70 estate '96 plate. I am ex Porsche/BMW tech so should be able to resolve this with right guidance, but also want to treat this jewel right. She's real nice.

I bought her, with a warning message "Anti Skid service required" (cue jokes).

She drives nice, pulls well, although might be ever so slightly under powered. I only say this as not much more power than previous 140HP v70, whereas this should be 170hp, on other hand, she does go well.

I have noticed some slight torque steer, might be just front wheel drive based (as this car is still new to me compared to how old car felt), but does feel as if its "toe-ing out" slightly on the tracking if that makes sense (sensitive to road surface/camber/rutts/white lines)?. Some reading about the interwebs, and my current thoughts suggest the sensitive steering might indeed be related to the anti-skid service message that is ever present (not intermittent).

So, I want to diagnose by firstly equipping myself with the gadgets and diagnostic tools required, and then proceed along troubleshooting. My background reading suggests this fault could be down to any number of inter-related systems/sensors (as is usually the case). I have come across mention of reluctor rings, cold solder joints in ABS unit, ABS sensors dirty among others.

I Have got VIDA/Dice SW download.

So my questions to start.

1. I currently see two types of diagnostic tool. Which is best and where best to buy from? The ODB/USB type that plugs into laptop (around £50 on ebay), or the standalone unit with built in LCD screen (c. £150 on ebay). Any other sources?? or other units to consider?? Not averse to spending on the right kit.

2. What common faults/issues are known to exist, that might be root cause of the symptoms described above? Note that no other warning lights or messages are showing, no ABS lights etc. The DSTC button appears to work and illuminate normally, and no other warnings occur if activated. Speedo, tacho all working consistently. No change in available engine power, no noises clunks bangs etc, brakes seem fine. Maybe this can narrow things down as I have seen reports of other systems being affected when this general error message is present (some of which are a little scary).

3. Presumably I will be working with error codes. Is there a reference listing of these, or is all contained within the VIDA/Dice sw?

3. Any good specialists in this community from Northamptonshire area in case of work required where I dont want to get under the car? My days of turning tools for fun are long gone although im looking forward to this little exercise

Looking forward to hearing thoughts and suggestions, many Thanks in advance.

P