If you just want to scan for faults, clear them and do diagnostics and maybe some light coding you don't need an ICOM. A K+DCAN cable is good enough with either BMW Standard Tools or BMW Rheingold. But this is mainly for cars from 1998 to 2008, some new cars also.
Good K+Dcan inpa cables: (click the pic for more detail)
http://www.obdexpress.co.uk/wholesale/bmw-inpa-k-can-obd2express.html
Bad K+Dcan cable:
RHEINGOLD is ISTA-D and runs natively on windows with K+DCAN interface. It's very good dealer diagnostic software. Pretty much does every function you'd ever need.
ICOM emulator is really needed when updating software on the vehicle where a stable and reliable connection is required over several hours. Almost all BMW cars are listed in, both old and new.
BMW ICOM A2+B+C scanner:
http://www.obdexpress.co.uk/wholesale/wifi-bmw-icom-a2-b-c-diagnostic-programming-tool.html
