iCarsoft MBii Software & Review

NBurns

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While I value some of the basics of what my iCarsoft diagnostics tells me, especially regarding error codes, etc, I do have some unfortunate frustrations with the kit.
It is great for telling one what is going wrong or right before you start the car, the battery voltage test on the front screen has been highly useful recently. The diagnostics has also been extremely useful in showing up any glitches or major failures. Especially as I now know I have intermittent faults with either three glow plugs, their wiring loom or both.
Where the kit frustrates me is when there are values I know nothing about and as an engineer I am used to seeing a range given as well as the value. Plus, on some values given there is no indication as to what it is measuring, I.e pressure, temperature, wind speed through a sensor, etc, and therefore I cannot determine whether what I am seeing is good or bad. I must admit that I have been meaning to feed this back to iCarsoft however my last email to them seemed to fall on deaf ears. If anyone has an email address they 'Do' read, please do reply with it.
I'm also, as a more modern engineer, finding the software somewhat clunky and that I cannot watch say two data items at the same time. I.e. Battery voltage while also looking to see why the car will not start.
Saying all this though, it Was money well invested last year and is better than being completely in the blind about what is going on. It does give some really useful data and shows one where to look for possible solutions to car problems. I will be keeping hold of mine but only until I can justify getting the next best. Having already discussed options with another well respected forum member.
The 'Carly' system or the iCarsoft equivalent will be my next move forward. Then my iCarsoft will be up for sale.



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W245207

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W245 B180 CDi 2005
What you pay is what you get. Many things I don't like about it but I can't justify for an Autel or Xentry. Like any diagnostic tool, an experienced professional will get the most out from iCarsoft than a novice.

In data section of Engine control unit, there are various sections to help you with diagnostic. 'Unable to start', it will list only those parameters are relevant for example engine rpm, battery voltage etc.
 

LostKiwi

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The dongles are pretty pricey given they don't come with software.
 

Conor

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Hi @NBurns

Great post and I am inclined to agree with it all.

Ultimately, I am happy with the tool and at the price paid, ~£165, I am willing to put up with the clunky UI etc. It is dead handy to have in the glove box.

Were you conversations with "other member" PM, or is there a thread? I am super keen to try out something like Carly or there is also https://AutoPi.io

Down the line, I can see my setup being:

* iCarsoft sit in R230 glovebox as it is probably the most temperamental / complicated.
* Chinese Star laptop at home
* Some other dongle for the E class (see above).


So the AutoPilot looks like a cool toy for power users.. but the Carly is probably fit for purpose, likely easier to use and cheaper.

We should pick up a few of these and have a shootout to compare.
 

LostKiwi

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Hi @NBurns

Great post and I am inclined to agree with it all.

Ultimately, I am happy with the tool and at the price paid, ~£165, I am willing to put up with the clunky UI etc. It is dead handy to have in the glove box.

Were you conversations with "other member" PM, or is there a thread? I am super keen to try out something like Carly or there is also https://AutoPi.io

Down the line, I can see my setup being:

* iCarsoft sit in R230 glovebox as it is probably the most temperamental / complicated.
* Chinese Star laptop at home
* Some other dongle for the E class (see above).


So the AutoPilot looks like a cool toy for power users.. but the Carly is probably fit for purpose, likely easier to use and cheaper.

We should pick up a few of these and have a shootout to compare.
Auto pi looks more like a Mercedes Me adapter than a diagnostic tool. From the documentation it looks to be a fancy version of the basic generic Bluetooth OBD reader.

My iCarsoft lives in the 230, Stars live at home and I have a Carsoft for the 210 (38 pin port). The Carsoft is also used on the 129. The Smart has an i980.
 

Conor

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Auto pi looks more like a Mercedes Me adapter than a diagnostic tool. From the documentation it looks to be a fancy version of the basic generic Bluetooth OBD reader.

My iCarsoft lives in the 230, Stars live at home and I have a Carsoft for the 210 (38 pin port). The Carsoft is also used on the 129. The Smart has an i980.

Yes, I guess that's what AutoPi looks like from the out.. but it has a lot more capability. There is a Raspberry Pi in there so significant compute power to do lots of bits and bobs. It does have OBDII in there so can do OBDII stuff but I think a bit more too.

Agreed it won't have Mercedes specific stuff in there, unless something is available on their plugin library.

I have it mind for a different type of project and also just looks like a cool toy to play with.

I wouldn't ever consider it a replacement for something specific like STAR or iCarSoft, apologies if I had written it like that.
 
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NBurns

NBurns

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  • Thread Starter
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Hi @NBurns

Great post and I am inclined to agree with it all.

Ultimately, I am happy with the tool and at the price paid, ~£165, I am willing to put up with the clunky UI etc. It is dead handy to have in the glove box.

Were you conversations with "other member" PM, or is there a thread? I am super keen to try out something like Carly or there is also https://AutoPi.io

Down the line, I can see my setup being:

* iCarsoft sit in R230 glovebox as it is probably the most temperamental / complicated.
* Chinese Star laptop at home
* Some other dongle for the E class (see above).


So the AutoPilot looks like a cool toy for power users.. but the Carly is probably fit for purpose, likely easier to use and cheaper.

We should pick up a few of these and have a shootout to compare.

Absolutely. Especially when there isn’t as far as I know, a comparison.



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Conor

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Auto pi looks more like a Mercedes Me adapter than a diagnostic tool. From the documentation it looks to be a fancy version of the basic generic Bluetooth OBD reader.

My iCarsoft lives in the 230, Stars live at home and I have a Carsoft for the 210 (38 pin port). The Carsoft is also used on the 129. The Smart has an i980.

You twist my arm......ok, i'll admit it. I bought another car :/ The other project I had in mind is a kind of "Driver information system" for my new to me, Renault Clio 172 Cup, track biased build.

The system would just be kind of like an informative tool that would give insight into the car. Such as temps, pressures, etc etc. Not a hardcore diagnostic tool, although would be cool if that was possible. Some fun really as I have various use cases planned for the car.

For fun, s**ts and giggles! :)
 

joderest

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I must admit that my MB2 sometimes does not do as i would expect it to.
IE it will not enter the ASB/ESP bit on the car, states communication error.
Likewise i have tried to contact icarsoft, but have never had a reply, now its out of warranty, seemed no point.
It does a lot of things, like pin pointed a faulty parking sensor and has reset a couple of codes, it has also found a faulty temp sensor on the mini and reset the code, it also reset a speed sensor on the Mini once i had changed it, so has more than paid for itself.
 

vincentfishing

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I must admit that my MB2 sometimes does not do as i would expect it to.
IE it will not enter the ASB/ESP bit on the car, states communication error.

Wont enter the abs esp bit on mine too, must be an ML thing
 

Conor

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So this arrived yesterday... I wil be spinning it's wheels and plan on providing a bit of a review at a later date as there was some interest.

Btw.. I'm sure it will cross somebodies mind, but it did also come with a right angled plug connector to relocate unit for inconvenient OBDII port locations.

IMG_20200313_133715.jpg
 

Blobcat

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So this arrived yesterday... I wil be spinning it's wheels and plan on providing a bit of a review at a later date as there was some interest.

Btw.. I'm sure it will cross somebodies mind, but it did also come with a right angled plug connector to relocate unit for inconvenient OBDII port locations.

View attachment 56494
You bought it because of the sticker didn’t you :p
 

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