Scan tool suggestions
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 54
Likes: 5
2006 E350
Scan tool suggestions
I'm planning on investing in a scan tool for our W211. I'm interested in something that will allow me to service the car, and diagnose issues, (EPS, ABS, Sensors, brake servicing, Trans fluids etc...) Is there a reasonably stand alone unit? I do have access to a Snap-On MODIS tool, but would have to buy the MB cards. I'd rather something I can keep in the vehcle.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 295
Likes: 24
From: Edmonton Area
2007 CLK550 Coupe, 2003 CL600, 2012
Why not get a C3 system from China that can do a lot more. whole system for about 400 bucks us.
Last edited by Kelvin Bellrose; Sep 30, 2020 at 09:23 PM.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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C320
I suggest getting the icarsoft MB2 first off of Amazon and trying it out. It's more user friendly and if you don't like it get the foxwell. Use the amazon easy return policy.
Last edited by tjts1; Oct 1, 2020 at 09:37 AM.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 54
Likes: 5
2006 E350
I was choosing the Foxwell as you said it's more capable. What functions would be lost if choosing the icarsoft? Also, it's possible that I'll need other brands to scan in the future.
Last edited by Brianstrange; Oct 1, 2020 at 10:10 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 2,290
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C320
The foxwell has a few coding functions built in, brake bleed function. As far as diagnostics they're they same. The downside to the foxwell is that it's sloooooow. Very slow compared to the icarsoft and some of the menus are not intuitive. They both will give you live data from throughout the car. In most cases the icarsoft will do everything you need.
I own both but I mostly use the icarsoft.
I own both but I mostly use the icarsoft.
Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 156
Likes: 3
From: New York
2005 E320 CDI
I bought the Foxwell 530 to do SBC brake bleeding. I had seen posts where people used it successfully for this function. The menu item is available for selection but nothing happens when selected. Foxwell support is worthless. For anyone that has had success with a Foxwell scanner for SBC bleeding, I'm all ears......
Member
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 171
Likes: 34
From: USA Tennessee
2008 SL550 R230, 2004 E320 W211
I realize that this is somewhat of an old thread, but I thought I would offer my Scan Tool suggestions and experience here on the W211 Forum (this topic is highly discussed on some of the other MBWolrd forums).
I keep a cheap OBD tool in the glove box or trunk of all of my vehicles (i.e. Autel MS309 $22 on Amazon, or any other cheap code reader) for emergencies when I need to simply read a code, etc. But it WON'T do much more than read a code...
For true diagnosis on my Mercedes, I also have a C3 Star SDS as @Kelvin Bellrose suggested above. I highly recommend going the Star SDS route and I recognize that this is a highly debated topic. I do think the Foxwell and iCarsoft tools are useful tools (ready to use out of the box, commercially available, etc), and I have considered going that route, but I keep seeing posts and questions about what it will and will not do.
The C3 SDS setup I have will do WAY MORE than I will ever want to do, and it has paid for itself and more! I originally bought SDS for troubleshooting with my 2008 SL550 R230 (and it has been great), however when I was looking to purchase a 2004 W211 E320 for my two sons who were about to start driving, I asked the private seller if I could plug up my OBD to the car he was selling. The seller said sure, expecting me to pull out a simple code reader. Instead I used Star SDS and I spent about an hour looking at all the codes and info (it had a ton of stored (no longer active) faults, and a couple of current faults)... When the seller saw all of the stored fault codes and info, he offered (without me asking) to drop our already agreed upon price by another $600, which more than paid for the SDS setup...
The bad:
There is some good info here: https://mbworld.org/forums/sl-class-...8608-star.html
There is also some good info here, but this thread quickly digresses and gets really long (but still some good info): https://mbworld.org/forums/sl-class-...t-2003-sl.html
I'm not trying to sell anything here, or start a debate, just trying to offer some options. Star SDS is highly discussed on other forums, but doesn't seem to get much attention on the W211 forum, and I just wanted to mention it as an option...
Hope this helps!
Lee
I keep a cheap OBD tool in the glove box or trunk of all of my vehicles (i.e. Autel MS309 $22 on Amazon, or any other cheap code reader) for emergencies when I need to simply read a code, etc. But it WON'T do much more than read a code...
For true diagnosis on my Mercedes, I also have a C3 Star SDS as @Kelvin Bellrose suggested above. I highly recommend going the Star SDS route and I recognize that this is a highly debated topic. I do think the Foxwell and iCarsoft tools are useful tools (ready to use out of the box, commercially available, etc), and I have considered going that route, but I keep seeing posts and questions about what it will and will not do.
The C3 SDS setup I have will do WAY MORE than I will ever want to do, and it has paid for itself and more! I originally bought SDS for troubleshooting with my 2008 SL550 R230 (and it has been great), however when I was looking to purchase a 2004 W211 E320 for my two sons who were about to start driving, I asked the private seller if I could plug up my OBD to the car he was selling. The seller said sure, expecting me to pull out a simple code reader. Instead I used Star SDS and I spent about an hour looking at all the codes and info (it had a ton of stored (no longer active) faults, and a couple of current faults)... When the seller saw all of the stored fault codes and info, he offered (without me asking) to drop our already agreed upon price by another $600, which more than paid for the SDS setup...
The bad:
A Star SDS system is more expensive that Foxwell/iCarsoft, and can be between approximately $300 and $700 depending on which hardware and software, and source you use
It can be more of a DIY system, than a commercial out of the box solution
It requires patience and can be difficult to get it initialized/setup for the first time (some members on MBWorld have purchased software/services from @pmercury (BenzNinja) a member on the forum, with great results (I have not purchased services from him)
Hardware and software may be from China and unknown quality, and honestly a little sketchy (there are more reputable software providers, but this can impact price)
There are confusing debates on which version is best: C3 vs C4, vs C5 vs hardware and software version and source and which laptop you should use, etc.
Picking out a supplier and which hardware/software can be confusing
There is a steep learning curve
There are stories of people getting burned by purchasing internationally and never getting it set up or working properly (I bought mine from China (Aliexpress), and supplier was happy to set it up for me via TeamViewer),
The list goes on...
However, with all of that being said, I still HIGHLY recommend going with an Star SDS system.It can be more of a DIY system, than a commercial out of the box solution
It requires patience and can be difficult to get it initialized/setup for the first time (some members on MBWorld have purchased software/services from @pmercury (BenzNinja) a member on the forum, with great results (I have not purchased services from him)
Hardware and software may be from China and unknown quality, and honestly a little sketchy (there are more reputable software providers, but this can impact price)
There are confusing debates on which version is best: C3 vs C4, vs C5 vs hardware and software version and source and which laptop you should use, etc.
Picking out a supplier and which hardware/software can be confusing
There is a steep learning curve
There are stories of people getting burned by purchasing internationally and never getting it set up or working properly (I bought mine from China (Aliexpress), and supplier was happy to set it up for me via TeamViewer),
The list goes on...
There is some good info here: https://mbworld.org/forums/sl-class-...8608-star.html
There is also some good info here, but this thread quickly digresses and gets really long (but still some good info): https://mbworld.org/forums/sl-class-...t-2003-sl.html
I'm not trying to sell anything here, or start a debate, just trying to offer some options. Star SDS is highly discussed on other forums, but doesn't seem to get much attention on the W211 forum, and I just wanted to mention it as an option...
Hope this helps!
Lee
Last edited by Leej; May 28, 2021 at 01:08 PM.
