STAR tool?
03-01-2016, 08:52 AM
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SL55, Opel GT, 70 LT-1, BMW 745 turbo, MRoadster, 49 Stude truck, 69 Z/28, Ferrari project
STAR tool?
Posted this on the SL board. Wondering if anyone here has a STAR tool.
If you're actually wanting to do the work yourself you're going to want/need a STAR tool.
Any of you guys own a STAR tool? We own one V12TT, an 03 CL600 and considering a second one, an 05 SL600. I figure a STAR tool would be a worthwhile investment, especially if we have two. I do all my own work. We have two lifts in the main garage, and will have a third in ground lift in the work shop when it is done. Its a disease, I know. Keeping up with one TTV12 is bad enough, but two?
Anyway, back to the STAR tool. Found this on ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/131712296001?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_sacat%3D0%26_nkw%3D131712296001%26_rdc%3D1
If you're actually wanting to do the work yourself you're going to want/need a STAR tool.
Any of you guys own a STAR tool? We own one V12TT, an 03 CL600 and considering a second one, an 05 SL600. I figure a STAR tool would be a worthwhile investment, especially if we have two. I do all my own work. We have two lifts in the main garage, and will have a third in ground lift in the work shop when it is done. Its a disease, I know. Keeping up with one TTV12 is bad enough, but two?
Anyway, back to the STAR tool. Found this on ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/131712296001?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_sacat%3D0%26_nkw%3D131712296001%26_rdc%3D1
03-01-2016, 12:49 PM
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02 CL600;91 BMW 850i;08 S2000
Hi, Lynn-
I've been looking at STAR units on the internet since buying my CL600 a year ago. I looked at your e-bay unit- says seller is in California, but the unit ships from Singapore. Did you look up the DAS Xentry that PLutoe mentioned? When I pull the trigger on STAR, I want to be sure to get the set up that will allow me to switch off the cylinder shut down system on the 2002 CL600. Did you know that you can get a STAR set up directly from MB? I understand they offer this to home hobbyist like ourselves and independent shops.
HenryC
I've been looking at STAR units on the internet since buying my CL600 a year ago. I looked at your e-bay unit- says seller is in California, but the unit ships from Singapore. Did you look up the DAS Xentry that PLutoe mentioned? When I pull the trigger on STAR, I want to be sure to get the set up that will allow me to switch off the cylinder shut down system on the 2002 CL600. Did you know that you can get a STAR set up directly from MB? I understand they offer this to home hobbyist like ourselves and independent shops.
HenryC
03-01-2016, 12:58 PM
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OOPS! The question was in my other post, but apparently I failed to copy all the way down.... operator error.
Questions: (regarding the link on ebay) Doesn't say anything about ABC system. I don't want to spend $3k plus for a system.
Anyone here have one? Where did you get it? What did it cost?
03-02-2016, 06:10 PM
#5
MBWorld Fanatic!
If you're serious about maintaining modern Mercedes yourself, STAR is the obvious thing to get. That eBay listing is probably typical. Its expensive because it includes the ubiquitous Dell D630 laptop.
Many vendors sell just the multiplexer, cables and HDD, and that's much cheaper. However, getting it working is a painful because of the long passwords, and the instructions and support are rarely good enough. So getting a kit with a laptop is convenient, but you have to pay.
There's no question about whether STAR covers ABC. It covers everything and more. The only options are whether you have developer mode or not, and that may not be a good idea as you can brick the electronics.
People are always asking about which vendor is recommended, and there's never a good answer. They're all much the same. Domestic vendors will presumably offer better support, but cost more.
Nick
Many vendors sell just the multiplexer, cables and HDD, and that's much cheaper. However, getting it working is a painful because of the long passwords, and the instructions and support are rarely good enough. So getting a kit with a laptop is convenient, but you have to pay.
There's no question about whether STAR covers ABC. It covers everything and more. The only options are whether you have developer mode or not, and that may not be a good idea as you can brick the electronics.
People are always asking about which vendor is recommended, and there's never a good answer. They're all much the same. Domestic vendors will presumably offer better support, but cost more.
Nick
03-02-2016, 09:22 PM
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I have been contacted by a member about purchasing his used unit.
I had decided to get one IF we purchased another V12TT. Just haven't pulled the trigger on that yet. Just missed one this evening. I figured it would be a really good investment (the STAR system, not the car) if I had two of these beasts to maintain.
Thanks for input.
I had decided to get one IF we purchased another V12TT. Just haven't pulled the trigger on that yet. Just missed one this evening. I figured it would be a really good investment (the STAR system, not the car) if I had two of these beasts to maintain.
Thanks for input.
03-04-2016, 04:14 PM
#7
Super Moderator
Keep in mind most if not all of these "Off-Shore" sellers are selling Multiplexer clones. They may look like the real Mercedes units, but they are reproductions made in China or the like.
With that said, I have one and it works great. Xentry / DAS (the actual workshop program) is not user friendly for the lay person so be aware there is a steep learning curve.
Additionally many programming features still can not be preformed without a valid FDOCK/VDOCK membership through Mercedes. This would include coding anti theft parts (EIS, etc), as well as on-line programming.
With that said, I have one and it works great. Xentry / DAS (the actual workshop program) is not user friendly for the lay person so be aware there is a steep learning curve.
Additionally many programming features still can not be preformed without a valid FDOCK/VDOCK membership through Mercedes. This would include coding anti theft parts (EIS, etc), as well as on-line programming.
Last edited by awiner; 03-04-2016 at 04:18 PM.
