Diagnostic
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 7,847
Likes: 3,497
From: Maryland
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Launch Creader Elite 2.0 BENZ
EDIT: While the Launch tool is one of the better alternatives, it still does not replace XENTRY for doing a deep diagnosis. Remember, XENTRY will walk you through the factory processes. I have not found any tools for $160 that will do that. I use Launch for quick scans and clearing codes, but resort to XENTRY and @BenzNinja for serious diagnostics.
EDIT: While the Launch tool is one of the better alternatives, it still does not replace XENTRY for doing a deep diagnosis. Remember, XENTRY will walk you through the factory processes. I have not found any tools for $160 that will do that. I use Launch for quick scans and clearing codes, but resort to XENTRY and @BenzNinja for serious diagnostics.
Last edited by JettaRed; Jul 19, 2024 at 04:50 PM.
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 7,847
Likes: 3,497
From: Maryland
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
I have Autel, but don’t recommend it since they screw you with expensive subscriptions after the first year.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 355
Likes: 279
From: Gulf Coast
2014 Mercedes-Benz E350
You can spend more and not really gain very much as far as useful abilities. Key coding has gone away for DIYers, Requires you be a shop and pay a hefty subscription. TPMS, you can get the Autel stand alone, very good tool, I'm not aware if MB cars can recognize Autel Tire sensors, albeit, they are the best.
Outside of that you can get a month subscription to Alldata pretty cheap, has service info and decent schematics needed for diagnostics. this along with a ASEwave U-scope can help diagnose many electrical gremlins. Members will also share most service data needed for your car here on this site, as well as a wealth of help with most anything you face.
Hope this helps.
Last edited by Rickman30; Jul 20, 2024 at 07:53 PM.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 101
Likes: 17
From: Elk Grove, CA
2011 w212, 2018 W166, 2024 v167
OE diagnostic tools have a 10/10 rating for deep diagnostics. All after market tools range from 2/10 to 3/10 for deep diagnostics. That said, the Baby Launch that JettaRed mentioned, is pretty powerful as aftermarket tools go, get the Mercedes version as it is focused on Mercedes only, however the OBDII can access most other cars. And it is bi-directional, can graph pids, as well as coding abilities.
You can spend more and not really gain very much as far as useful abilities. Key coding has gone away for DIYers, Requires you be a shop and pay a hefty subscription. TPMS, you can get the Auto stand alone, very good tool, I'm not aware if MB cars can recognize Autel Tire sensors, albeit, they are the best.
Outside of that you can get a month subscription to Alldata pretty cheap, has service info and decent schematics needed for diagnostics. this along with a ASEwave U-scope can help diagnose many electrical gremlins. Members will also share most service data needed for your car here on this site, as well as a wealth of help with most anything you face.
Hope this helps.
You can spend more and not really gain very much as far as useful abilities. Key coding has gone away for DIYers, Requires you be a shop and pay a hefty subscription. TPMS, you can get the Auto stand alone, very good tool, I'm not aware if MB cars can recognize Autel Tire sensors, albeit, they are the best.
Outside of that you can get a month subscription to Alldata pretty cheap, has service info and decent schematics needed for diagnostics. this along with a ASEwave U-scope can help diagnose many electrical gremlins. Members will also share most service data needed for your car here on this site, as well as a wealth of help with most anything you face.
Hope this helps.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 355
Likes: 279
From: Gulf Coast
2014 Mercedes-Benz E350
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 7,847
Likes: 3,497
From: Maryland
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
