Mercedes diagnostics equipment

[haydar]

Hi guys

I'm based in Pakistan. Uptil now Mercedes were very rare here as they are considerably expensive to buy and run. However in the last few years, the import duty on them has been cut (slightly) enough to make them more popular than before. Apart from the main dealer, no one else has the knowledge or equipment to service the cars. Hence we are all being ripped off from the main dealer and have no alterative.

Speaking to a couple of Mercedes mechanics here, they say their real problem is getting their hands on the diagnostic equipment.

Hence here is my question:-

i. What is the Mercedes diagnostic system called? (I think this is called DAS STAR )
ii. What is the CARSOFT equipment and software like. It is as good as the mercedes own diagnostics?
iii. Where is the best place to buy this equipment from.

Thanks

 

[television]

Hello Haydar, There are 3 choices out there if you want to what the dealers can, and by this I mean have access to the consumer adjustments and instruments Command and CAN bus / MOST bus.
The most expensive is the STAR system. Carsoft as you know is PC based, it does have updates and the know how on fixing the fault. There is the lauch X431,that is a stand alone system that appears to do what the others do, but much cheaper. I do have the specs on all three, and will buy the Launch or Carsoft in the new year. The advantages of the Carsoft and Launch is that you can do other makes.
I will have finnished compairing both in the new year.

Malcolm

 

[haydar]

Hi Television

Yes, I'd be very interested in your research into the diagnostic systems. What are the relative prices of the systems? Where do you buy them from? Is there any bulk buying discount?

Regards

 

[television]

Give me a couple of days and I can answer that.

Malcolm

 

[Alfie]

Hi guys

I'm based in Pakistan. Uptil now Mercedes were very rare here as they are considerably expensive to buy and run. However in the last few years, the import duty on them has been cut (slightly) enough to make them more popular than before. Apart from the main dealer, no one else has the knowledge or equipment to service the cars. Hence we are all being ripped off from the main dealer and have no alterative.

Speaking to a couple of Mercedes mechanics here, they say their real problem is getting their hands on the diagnostic equipment.

Hence here is my question:-

i. What is the Mercedes diagnostic system called? (I think this is called DAS STAR )
ii. What is the CARSOFT equipment and software like. It is as good as the mercedes own diagnostics?
iii. Where is the best place to buy this equipment from.

Thanks

DAS STAR is by far the most comprehensive as it will do exactly what the dealers can do (except coding up of SCN based COMAND vehicles) However, even that can be by-passed (if you are familiar with German and STAR engineering mode!)

Depending on your budget, STAR is the way to go just for completness. That said, i'm sure the other products are good also.

STAR can be obtained as a complete solution from odb-products on ebay for about £3,200.

I'll be very interested to read Malcolms report on the others also.

 

[eric242340]

Star Diagnostics is the only way to go. I am based in Shenzhen China, and I know Launch is made here - its useless on the new models. Star D is widely availabe in China and Taiwan complete with multiplexer. If you want to know more, contact me - eric242340@yahoo.com and have a nice day.

 

[eric242340]

Star Diagnostics

Does anyone want to buy the newest version of Star D contact me eric242340@yahoo.com.cn

 

[eric242340]

DAS or Star D

DAS STAR is by far the most comprehensive as it will do exactly what the dealers can do (except coding up of SCN based COMAND vehicles) However, even that can be by-passed (if you are familiar with German and STAR engineering mode!)

Depending on your budget, STAR is the way to go just for completness. That said, i'm sure the other products are good also.

STAR can be obtained as a complete solution from odb-products on ebay for about £3,200.

I'll be very interested to read Malcolms report on the others also.

This is correct, however ther is one function it cannot do and that is to code the EIS (ekectronic ignition switch) when buying a new key or KG you need the green key to code and only MB can do this. They have kept this one secret a long time and no-one has come up with a solution yet.

 

[television]

One advantage with using something other than Star is that you can do work on other vehicles, I cant see at this point in time what the Lauch and car soft will not do, sinse they are all updated on a regular basis.

My only reasons for buying one is that they will both do the consumer and interior as well as all other, even on the 230. Having the abilliy to do other makes of cars does offset the cost.
At the moment I am waiting to hear from the best guy in the UK that teaches the art of diagnosis.

Malcolm

 

[haydar]

Hi Malcolm

How is your evaluation going? Can you share any of your insights with the forum.

Cheers

 

[television]

still waiting for an answer, will not be long.

Malcolm

 

[Alfie]

This is correct, however ther is one function it cannot do and that is to code the EIS (ekectronic ignition switch) when buying a new key or KG you need the green key to code and only MB can do this. They have kept this one secret a long time and no-one has come up with a solution yet.

Quite right too otherwise we would all find our cars being stolen more often than at present.

 

[haydar]

Hello Haydar, There are 3 choices out there if you want to what the dealers can, and by this I mean have access to the consumer adjustments and instruments Command and CAN bus / MOST bus.
The most expensive is the STAR system. Carsoft as you know is PC based, it does have updates and the know how on fixing the fault. There is the lauch X431,that is a stand alone system that appears to do what the others do, but much cheaper. I do have the specs on all three, and will buy the Launch or Carsoft in the new year. The advantages of the Carsoft and Launch is that you can do other makes.
I will have finnished compairing both in the new year.

Malcolm

Television, have you finished your comparison yet? What were your thoughts? Would be really interested in your findings.

 

[television]

Television, have you finished your comparison yet? What were your thoughts? Would be really interested in your findings.

I have seen the car soft working,version 8 runs on a laptop,it will do everthing.
Have not seen the Lauch X431 yet,waiting for the demo, but this has the advantage in that it is a self contained dedicated tool,will also do most other cars and does as much on MB's as the Car Soft, both costing about £2.2k +vat, after that there is a huge jump up to £5k +

malcolm