STAR Diagnostics

[Richard Moakes]

My father has taken the plunge and bought a 2005 W211 E320CDI

Up to now, I have resisted the temptation of computerised Mercedes and stuck with my old school 1991 R129. But thinking ahead we are going to need diagnostics for his car at some point in the future.

What do people recommend for a STAR setup, what sort of multiplexer do I need C3/C4 etc and do I need a dedicated laptop etc?

I am computer literate, so VMware and other issues are no problem for me, but I don't know what people are using successfully and where they got them from.

Thanks in advance.

 

[bob 6600]

C3 or C4 are fine, C4 has wireless capability.

The software is the same so it comes down to how much you want to spend

 

[television]

My father has taken the plunge and bought a 2005 W211 E320CDI

Up to now, I have resisted the temptation of computerised Mercedes and stuck with my old school 1991 R129. But thinking ahead we are going to need diagnostics for his car at some point in the future.

What do people recommend for a STAR setup, what sort of multiplexer do I need C3/C4 etc and do I need a dedicated laptop etc?

I am computer literate, so VMware and other issues are no problem for me, but I don't know what people are using successfully and where they got them from.

Thanks in advance.

Have a word with Mark (miffy) he helped me and he knows all about them.

 

[David Arnott]

Richard,
I would go for a C3 (cheaper simpler etc.), it does need a laptop with a real serial (RS232) port. USB converters don’t work. C4 is only needed for the very newest cars.
The laptop needs to have Windows XP, don’t bother with virtual PC (VMware etc.) Suitable laptops are Dell D630 or E5500 or E5510 etc.
You can buy a C3 on eBay or AliExpress type dealers in China, Rhcartool.com is good about $230 inc. post (£150)
I can set up a laptop for you or give you detailed instructions, if you want to do it yourself. I can give a Acronis image to do it all in one step, if that helps.

 

[Richard Moakes]

Thanks all for the advice.

Looks like I need to find a C3 multiplexor and some cables first.

 

[television]

No more updates for C3/4 as of April this year. This will not affect most of us.

 

[Alfie]

As of last year DAS is now called up directly by Xentry after selecting the model type. All these clone and pirated systems will go out of date as many newer cars now rely upon Xentry which is completely different to DAS.

 

[m3gt2]

Will the C3 work with W221? The facelift Bluetec?

 

[Richard Moakes]

As of last year DAS is now called up directly by Xentry after selecting the model type. All these clone and pirated systems will go out of date as many newer cars now rely upon Xentry which is completely different to DAS.

Interesting, I am not a fan of pirate software or hardware.

I am wondering if I should go with something lightweight like this... http://www.icarsoft.com/web/icarsof...ntools/2012/201212/20121228230032r1i3z_1.html available for about £100.

I know it can't do any of the coding possible with Star, but it would enable a driveway mechanic like my father to know why the check engine light is on?

 

[television]

Time and time again we get members putting up codes from non Star diagnostic tools, and they seldom give a good location of the fault, ABS problems come to mind, where they seldom say what corner the fault is on. The other thing is they cannot check body components, and we get just as many body faults on here as we do with the running gear.

I have a couple of C3 that need repairing, I have the parts, but no cables

 

[bob 6600]

Interesting, I am not a fan of pirate software or hardware.

I am wondering if I should go with something lightweight like this... http://www.icarsoft.com/web/icarsof...ntools/2012/201212/20121228230032r1i3z_1.html available for about £100.

I know it can't do any of the coding possible with Star, but it would enable a driveway mechanic like my father to know why the check engine light is on?

Forget the coding, it is best left to someone who knows what they are doing. Having said that, I would still say it is the best buy for anyone with a Merc. I would not be bothered about it not being updated in the future as your vehicle is a few years old and it covers your model fully. Clones are fine for the home mechanic, small/medium use and low cost.

Different story for the tradem they need to be up to date and of course make money off it too, and so they should.

 

[darkchild101]

Richard,
I would go for a C3 (cheaper simpler etc.), it does need a laptop with a real serial (RS232) port. USB converters don’t work. C4 is only needed for the very newest cars.
The laptop needs to have Windows XP, don’t bother with virtual PC (VMware etc.) Suitable laptops are Dell D630 or E5500 or E5510 etc.
You can buy a C3 on eBay or AliExpress type dealers in China, Rhcartool.com is good about $230 inc. post (£150)
I can set up a laptop for you or give you detailed instructions, if you want to do it yourself. I can give a Acronis image to do it all in one step, if that helps.

That c3 clone from china does it work as well as the original for a diy mechanice doing simple tasks

 

[television]

That c3 clone from china does it work as well as the original for a diy mechanice doing simple tasks

Yes it is exactly the same, they are identical. I have repaired some originals and clones, you cannot tell the difference.

 

[darkchild101]

Yes it is exactly the same, they are identical. I have repaired some originals and clones, you cannot tell the difference.

Wow thats great. So star will give you a good idea where to start with most problems especially electrical ones

 

[television]

STAR covers the whole car pinpointing exactly in most cases.

 

[Miffy]

Yes it is exactly the same, they are identical. I have repaired some originals and clones, you cannot tell the difference.

The C3 and C4 are also the same with regards to updates. Whether a legit system or a clone they will all stop getting updates at the same time.

All clones have full support for Xentry and DAS, the only working difference is that the genuine product can log into MB to process unit coding that requires a generated code by the MB backend system.

The only system that will be getting updates is the unit where the software is held on the actual MUX and accessed via a web browser on a PC.

So, if you have a car made in 2014 then your OK for fault finding no matter what version (c3/c4) you get.

 

[David Arnott]

Will the C3 work with W221? The facelift Bluetec?

Yes, it does.

Time and time again we get members putting up codes from non Star diagnostic tools, and they seldom give a good location of the fault, ABS problems come to mind, where they seldom say what corner the fault is on. The other thing is they cannot check body components, and we get just as many body faults on here as we do with the running gear.

I have a couple of C3 that need repairing, I have the parts, but no cables

Yes, I will second this opinion.

 

[Miffy]

The latest update for DAS/Xentry gives you this warning. Clone or 15grand SDS

No new updates for Star Diagnosis compact4
(freeze from 03/2015)
The 12/2014 DVD will be the last update for Star Diagnosis compact4
systems with system numbers below 170000.
Systems with system numbers above 170000 will continue to receive updates.
Three DVDs for Star Diagnosis updates
From update 03-04/2014, three DVDs are required to update Star Diagnosis systems, due to the vast quantities
of data. The procedure remains unchanged.

 

[mercedes13156]

Interesting, I am not a fan of pirate software or hardware.

I am wondering if I should go with something lightweight like this... http://www.icarsoft.com/web/icarsof...ntools/2012/201212/20121228230032r1i3z_1.html available for about £100.

I know it can't do any of the coding possible with Star, but it would enable a driveway mechanic like my father to know why the check engine light is on?

Hi. I've got an ICarsoft 980 and it does pretty well everything I'll ever need for my 203. I had a friend round with an E Class that had the BAS / ABS light on and no Cruise. in the first five minutes we identified that the right rear ABS Sensor was wonky. I drove it forward and back six feet using live data and could see three wheel speeds with the rear right reading zero both ways. For £90 you won't be disappointed. It took us forty minutes to look at every sensor it was reading. When we were looking at the lighting circuits the lights showed a code. I cleared it, the lights relevelled themselves. It also reads ASSYST and tells you what jobs got done in the last service. I appreciate what Steve @ Avangarde is saying. It's not a STAR, but it's ****** good and will read any Merc with a 16 pin diagnostic socket up to this year's Maybach and the whole sprinter range as well. You also get unlimited free updates.

 

[television]

The Auto Logic has a good name and almost as good as STAR, many use the carsoft program.