I've been lurking here a while, as I've owned this car since 2007 when it had 48,000 miles on it and was just a baby. It's been a great car, but now with 330,000 miles on it, it's starting to show its age and needs some more major work that would be cost prohibitive through a dealer. I want to keep it because it still runs strong and you simply can't get the straight 6 cast iron block anymore and you have to go Bluetec today if you want diesel. (UGH! No thanks. I'll go gasoline first.) I'd rather put some money into the old girl and bring her back up to snuff. I've build many cars and engines in my youth, so I have the skills and tools... and I'm a mechanical engineer.

So the fist thing I need to do before I get started is to make a decision on diagnostic tools. I know there are many options each with it's own pluses and minuses. MB Star software, Autel, iCarsoft, etc. And this is where I needs some experienced advice. Short of paying for the full yearly license for Star (cost prohibitive!), I'm not going to be able to program modules, but this isn't my goal anyway. I know "pirate" version of Star and the multiplexer are available from China for $500ish. If I can determine that a module is bad, I can have a local third-party shop replace/reprogram it for a third the price of a dealer. However, it would be nice to be able to manipulate features on the car, like shut off the SBC brakes and turn them back on electronically, instead of going through the silly spinning the tires thing.

Thought on the various diagnostic tools? Experiences?

 

Get a Star.

 

iCarsoft MBII so far does everything on W211 the SD would. I still wait for update that would support W212, thought.
But having legal scanner you can expect support.

 

I’m using icarSoft II and it does everything I’ve needed so far. Like you, id rebuild my OM648 in a heartbeat before getting into a OM642 powered machine though I’ll likely get one to play with now that are close to free. If you’re doing the job of pulling the motor, there is so much you can do differently for the better.

 

Thanks for the suggestions. I went with a iCarsoft CR Pro, which does everything the MB V2.0 will do, plus a lot of other cars. It seems to do everything I need it to do and then some, including dealing with the SBC brakes.

 

Will these icarsoft options allow me/you to recalibrate the air suspension (raise and lower at will)?

Thank you!

 

Good info guys...thanks for sharing.

Mike

 

to follow up on my own question, I contacted iCarsoft and they stated none of their scanners will recalibrate or allow the user to adjust air suspension; for those that have it anyhow. Looking into the Autel DS808 now.

 

Check MaxiEcu. They list all supported modules on their website, so you know what you are buying.
I tried to contact Chinese scanner manufacturer in the past and I got answer "it will work"
Well.. it did not.

 

ok thank you for the recommendation; will look into it.

The Autel systems are well known and tested on MB vehicles, many reviews, videos, and professional mechanic blogs out there, so I would be ok with ordering one; but yes I’m finding savings of $100+ ordering from China on Alibaba.com; which is a widely known website but can come across fakes. That’s why I’m documenting my conversations well with the sellers and have fraud protection from PayPal and my credit card

 

FYI: I purchased a Foxwell NT520 and pleasantly surprised. The one thing it does not do is write injector IMA codes. Is there any tool short of STAR & Snap-on that does this?