Xentry diagnosist

[Merc mat]

Ok can any one advise me about xentry diagnosist,ie what I need as software and a cable to connect to car , coz I sick of Mercedes charging £85.00 just to plug it in , iv looked at icarsoft , but don't think it will get into system far enough,what's people using ?

 

[alexanderfoti]

Xentry needs a multiplexer, and activation. Clone machines are very hit and miss and often just get turned off/blocked by MB randomly.

Buy one on ebay and take your chances really.

 

[Craiglxviii]

I used icarsoft MB1 and then V2, but have recently changed to the far superior Autel AP200, a little OBD2 dongle that has all the smart stuff downloaded on one’s phone instead. £50.

 

[mioba]

What depth of scan do you need. I am really happy with my icarsoft v3. It has paid for itself already.

 

[Merc mat]

I used icarsoft MB1 and then V2, but have recently changed to the far superior Autel AP200, a little OBD2 dongle that has all the smart stuff downloaded on one’s phone instead. £50.

Did the icarsoft v2 do anything you needed,vcan I ask were did you get the one installed on your phone from ?

 

[Merc mat]

What depth of scan do you need. I am really happy with my icarsoft v3. It has paid for itself

 

[Merc mat]

Read fault code clear warning lights and live data and maybe do some programing

 

[V6Matty]

What programming are you hoping to do, STAR isn’t like the W equivalent when everything is fitted and you just need to activate it, Mercedes made working for every car individual, so if an item wasn’t there at the factory fit time, it won’t be available

 

[ajlsl600]

Xentry needs a multiplexer, and activation. Clone machines are very hit and miss and often just get turned off/blocked by MB randomly.

Buy one on ebay and take your chances really.

Only if u go online. Another thing. If u use xentry or any other diagnostics just use one laptop, tough book best and don't add any other programs I find this works well,vno software conflicts to deal with. normally. Prob comes when it tells u to renew licence which after 8yrs is my current issue. It sure has saved me a fortune tho.

 

[alexanderfoti]

Keep in mind, you won't be able to do any programming, or any functions that involve going online, with a dodgy machine.

 

[Merc mat]

Thanks everyone for you advice think I'm just going to buy the icarsoft v3 it's a good price and should work

 

[Craiglxviii]

What programming are you hoping to do, STAR isn’t like the W equivalent when everything is fitted and you just need to activate it, Mercedes made working for every car individual, so if an item wasn’t there at the factory fit time, it won’t be available

Also to add, this also depends on the model and year (actually the plant)

 

[M80]

I bought a kit from Ashbourne, false promises but I didn't actually get it supplied. Getting my money back was a pain, but I got there.

I then bought a kit from Lancashire. After using the kit for a week the seller contacted me warning me that 'it may have an issue' and not to use it. He refunded me.

I bought a kit from a chap in London. I'm still using it. The chap has been very helpful with after sales advice and issue solving.
I make sure it doesn't go online. It is solely dedicated to MB diagnostics.
Be aware the laptops are 2nd hand, the batteries may not allow much time before going flat. If I'm intending to do lengthy investigation / initiations I run it from a 12 volt invertor off the mo mo's battery.
If honest my usage is basic.

It is streets ahead of iCarsoft. It has helped with diagnostics iCarsoft would be useless at. I'm glad I paid approx £1,000 for it.
Like LK my iCarsoft V2 stays in the motor, as it would be better than nowt while on the hoof. But I have learned not to trust iCarsoft totally.

I've messaged him asking if he still supplies and best way to make contact.

 

[Steve@Avantgarde]

I bear no grudge against the OP or anyone that wants to have a go at fixing their own car, but this kind of post winds me up as a qualified tech as well as a business owner.

Firstly, the grumble at the cost of diagnosing a car when a warning light appears as if the charge is some kind of rip off. Charging for diagnosis is absolutely justifiable, people have skillsets that are utilised, equipment is very expensive and needs to have an ROI as well as businesses need to look after their own interests from a financial and professional perspective. Why should we give anything away? Do dentists give you a free diagnosis on tooth ache? Do they hell. They will have you for £30 to sit in their chair and they havent turned on the Xray machine yet or poured you a glass of pink mouthwash for you to swill the decay out of your mouth post repair. So whats the difference? Time, equipment and professional opinion is in progress, right?

Secondly, the general opinion is that we plug a computer in and it tells us how to fix the car. If only it was that easy! We would all be doing it wouldnt we?! I get the impression that vehicle repairers, dealer, indie or otherwise, are still seen as the greasy, oiled up rip off merchants that the 1970s Arthur Daley slimeball stereo typed us all as.

By comparison, if you asked an IT professional to operate and run a network of 30 computers, your view of him would be very different as well as his salary expectation. By comparison, put someone who is expected to operate something with double the computer numbers in a set of overalls and the view is our expertise is a rip off and could be done by anyone with half a brain.

Thirdly, any diagnostic platform in the wrong hands is dangerous IMO. Not knowing exactly what you are doing can cause more problems than good.

Its an utter pet hate of mine when cars come in with faults and the owner has been at it with his/her own scanner, deleting data and fault codes or trying different things and then asking me to fix it or expecting me to rule a host of stuff out just because they think they have tested it to the same processes as Xentry or my own professional methods.

My advice is if a warning light comes on, go to an independent who has the correct kit, spend that diagnosis fee and fix it properly. No faults are "cured" with a reset and there is no such thing as a car fixing itself either, unless you are 100% confident and competent in your own knowledge and ability.

Many faults are fixed with software updates too, so whilst you may be sick of paying the fee, you are actually paying for the licence of the Xentry machine which is around £15k as well as the competency of the guy operating it.

There are some clever people in life that do possess a basic skillset with cars (LK and M80 included) but their reliance mainly will come from knowledge they will glean on here, whilst useful, may not always be the best, but also they work inside their own ability.

Anyway rant over for a tuesday morning. As you were!

 

[alexanderfoti]

I bear no grudge against the OP or anyone that wants to have a go at fixing their own car, but this kind of post winds me up as a qualified tech as well as a business owner.

Firstly, the grumble at the cost of diagnosing a car when a warning light appears as if the charge is some kind of rip off.

Secondly, the general opinion is that we plug a computer in and it tells us how to fix the car. If only it was that easy!

I agree completely.

The people who begrudge paying this, to then only spend 40 minutes asking how to fix it themselves overlook all the points you have made. (this does not apply to people who come onto the forum asking for advice)

A) we are a business, and have to pay rates, insurance (both proffesional, liability and road risks), electricity, wages and tax
b) we have built up expertise and knowledge for particular faults, but at no point does the computer say "fix it this way". If you throw parts at it based on codes you will end up spending more, and be frustrated that the fault isnt fixed.
c) people who feel your time is not worth anything.