Time for a scanner
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2017
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2020 GLS450 (wife) / 2024 Ford Bronco (mine) / 2014 VW Tiquan (son)
Time for a scanner
With two MB's now in the family, and no plans to replace either one of them any time soon (2014 E, 2020 GLS) - I think it's time to invest in a proper scanner.
I keep seeing you guys liking the iCarsoft scanner. Looking at them on Amazon, I see them with "MBII" and I see some that do not have that "MBII" notation. Should I get the MBII version for our cars?
It may be too much to ask of the unit, might be a more iStar specific device - but I'd love to know things like which pre-safe gadget is throwing the code every now and then (I strongly suspect driver's seat seatbelt latch). Can the iCarsoft get that granular with it's data to point to where the code is originating from?
As the E ages now, I'd like to have the ability to understand what needs to be repaired here and there before taking it to the mechanic. As we all know - taking a Mercedes to a repair shop and saying "I don't know, it won't go" is like saying "who wants to be sole beneficiary in my will?"...
thanks!
I keep seeing you guys liking the iCarsoft scanner. Looking at them on Amazon, I see them with "MBII" and I see some that do not have that "MBII" notation. Should I get the MBII version for our cars?
It may be too much to ask of the unit, might be a more iStar specific device - but I'd love to know things like which pre-safe gadget is throwing the code every now and then (I strongly suspect driver's seat seatbelt latch). Can the iCarsoft get that granular with it's data to point to where the code is originating from?
As the E ages now, I'd like to have the ability to understand what needs to be repaired here and there before taking it to the mechanic. As we all know - taking a Mercedes to a repair shop and saying "I don't know, it won't go" is like saying "who wants to be sole beneficiary in my will?"...
thanks!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2012
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From: Pepper Pike Ohio
24 GLS580 '23 E450 4matic 12 E350 4Matic
Well, I also have two Benz's and I like the ICarsoft MB2. it has more capability than a generic scanner and covers everything I could fix myself and works as a generic OBD2 reader. you can add chips specific to other cars, and it's priced at around 150 dollars.
Xentry is obviously better and there are more professional scanners that can read more codes on more cars, but they are usually twice as much, I found the Icarsoft to be the happy medium .
Xentry is obviously better and there are more professional scanners that can read more codes on more cars, but they are usually twice as much, I found the Icarsoft to be the happy medium .
MBWorld Fanatic!
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'11 E350, '11 E550, '98 M3, '95 E320
I sprung for Xentry, we've always had MBs... between our two "newer" W212s and my parents have a W213 . Not counting side-work we do once a while. Xentry is hard to pass up for the amount of functionality is provides. That said, I have a number of generic scanners for code reading and bi-directional control we've accumulated over the years. However, even a decent "generic" bi-directional scanner will set you back $1500+. At the same time, it'll allow you to work on more than just MB.
All in the Xentry setup was $1000. How deep down the rabbit hole you want to go...
All in the Xentry setup was $1000. How deep down the rabbit hole you want to go...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2016
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From: In the Shadow of the Tetons
2013 ML350 Bluetec
I've got the icarsoft MB2 that stays in the trunk of the car. It is fast and handy.
In the shop I have a Launch tablet scanner that does (so far) everything that xentry does AND it covers pretty much every other auto maker out there. Hasn't let me down yet. Cost about $1K new, includes 2 years of updates. I've used it to repair my Chevy airbags, fueling issues on the wife's jeep, my W211 and have coded some features into and out of my new-to-me W212.
In the shop I have a Launch tablet scanner that does (so far) everything that xentry does AND it covers pretty much every other auto maker out there. Hasn't let me down yet. Cost about $1K new, includes 2 years of updates. I've used it to repair my Chevy airbags, fueling issues on the wife's jeep, my W211 and have coded some features into and out of my new-to-me W212.
Last edited by rapidoxidation; Feb 14, 2021 at 02:06 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2014
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2011 E-350 4Matic Sport
My MB2 is great and I also use an Autel MD808Pro. I keep a Launch CR319 inexpensive scantool in each vehicle glove box just to get an idea of CEL if on the road. Launch makes a good all module scan tool too.
I've progressed to wanting bidirectional controls so I'll be popping for the more expensive level of scan tool as well.
Whatever you buy get one that reads ALL the vehicle modules.
I've progressed to wanting bidirectional controls so I'll be popping for the more expensive level of scan tool as well.
Whatever you buy get one that reads ALL the vehicle modules.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,363
Likes: 1,012
'11 E350, '11 E550, '98 M3, '95 E320
I've got the icarsoft MB2 that stays in the trunk of the car. It is fast and handy.
In the shop I have a Launch tablet scanner that does (so far) everything that xentry does AND it covers pretty much every other auto maker out there. Hasn't let me down yet. Cost about $1K new, includes 2 years of updates. I've used it to repair my Chevy airbags, fueling issues on the wife's jeep, my W211 and have coded some features into and out of my new-to-me W212.
In the shop I have a Launch tablet scanner that does (so far) everything that xentry does AND it covers pretty much every other auto maker out there. Hasn't let me down yet. Cost about $1K new, includes 2 years of updates. I've used it to repair my Chevy airbags, fueling issues on the wife's jeep, my W211 and have coded some features into and out of my new-to-me W212.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2016
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From: In the Shadow of the Tetons
2013 ML350 Bluetec
I have the X431V+, bought it from Amazon last February. So far, I haven't run into anything on the Benz/Chevy/Jeep it can't do. I haven't any experience with STAR/Xentry, but I get the sense that it takes a bit different route to get where you want to go but it gets there.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,055
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From: SoCal. Desert
'16 E350, gone: '03 c230k
I've got the icarsoft MB2 that stays in the trunk of the car. It is fast and handy.
In the shop I have a Launch tablet scanner that does (so far) everything that xentry does AND it covers pretty much every other auto maker out there. Hasn't let me down yet. Cost about $1K new, includes 2 years of updates. I've used it to repair my Chevy airbags, fueling issues on the wife's jeep, my W211 and have coded some features into and out of my new-to-me W212.
In the shop I have a Launch tablet scanner that does (so far) everything that xentry does AND it covers pretty much every other auto maker out there. Hasn't let me down yet. Cost about $1K new, includes 2 years of updates. I've used it to repair my Chevy airbags, fueling issues on the wife's jeep, my W211 and have coded some features into and out of my new-to-me W212.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,055
Likes: 50
From: SoCal. Desert
'16 E350, gone: '03 c230k
I sprung for Xentry, we've always had MBs... between our two "newer" W212s and my parents have a W213 . Not counting side-work we do once a while. Xentry is hard to pass up for the amount of functionality is provides. That said, I have a number of generic scanners for code reading and bi-directional control we've accumulated over the years. However, even a decent "generic" bi-directional scanner will set you back $1500+. At the same time, it'll allow you to work on more than just MB.
All in the Xentry setup was $1000. How deep down the rabbit hole you want to go...
All in the Xentry setup was $1000. How deep down the rabbit hole you want to go...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,749
Likes: 881
From: In the Shadow of the Tetons
2013 ML350 Bluetec
Here's the one I bought:
Of note is that when I first put it in my shopping cart it was full price. One day later, as I kept going back to the cart to hem haw and read the product description, Amazon gave me a code to drop 20% from the price. Don't know why that happened, but that was the point at which I pulled the trigger on the purchase.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,363
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'11 E350, '11 E550, '98 M3, '95 E320
"Coding" can really only be done via Xentry online or Vediamo on W212 and newer chassis'. There are "settings" that can be set offline in Xentry or certain generic scan tools. Settings like: parktronic beep tone and volume, automatic headrest preset, front seat position when folding rear seats, enable/disable TPMS, etc...
HOWEVER, most of us with Xentry are using a "clone" and recent events at MB have made it difficult to be able to use the online functionality. That online functionality is required for many module replacements, software updates and SCN coding. Kind of a bummer, but you can use Vediamo or pay someone to "login". Otherwise, all diagnostic functions are done "offline" in Xentry.
As far a the ECO start/stop, I don't know as I've never looked for it as neither of our W212s have it. Maybe its there, maybe not. I bet it can be done in Vediamo, which is MBs engineering software for coding and its not the most user friendly and can leave a module "bricked" if done incorrectly.
HOWEVER, most of us with Xentry are using a "clone" and recent events at MB have made it difficult to be able to use the online functionality. That online functionality is required for many module replacements, software updates and SCN coding. Kind of a bummer, but you can use Vediamo or pay someone to "login". Otherwise, all diagnostic functions are done "offline" in Xentry.
As far a the ECO start/stop, I don't know as I've never looked for it as neither of our W212s have it. Maybe its there, maybe not. I bet it can be done in Vediamo, which is MBs engineering software for coding and its not the most user friendly and can leave a module "bricked" if done incorrectly.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Chicago
2025 AMG E 53; 2018 GLC300 4Matic; 2003 360 Modena
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From: Fredonia, WI
2012 E550 v8-Biturbo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,363
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'11 E350, '11 E550, '98 M3, '95 E320
I was playing around with Xentry on a '18 E400... ECO start/stop parameters are in the ECU, front SAM and rear SAM. However none have manual settings to enable/disable the feature I could see. This conforms [not possible via Xentry] to what I've been told by a friend [tech] working for MB USA.
One interesting thing I saw in the manual settings for the front SAM, which included: headlight cleaning, trunk illumination, and a few others was they were password protected. Similar in fashion to SCN or software updates, where Xentry connects online for access and variant coding. The language was like: request your local Mercedes.... for special password.
One interesting thing I saw in the manual settings for the front SAM, which included: headlight cleaning, trunk illumination, and a few others was they were password protected. Similar in fashion to SCN or software updates, where Xentry connects online for access and variant coding. The language was like: request your local Mercedes.... for special password.
