Which OBD2 scanner to buy?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 60
Likes: 6
GLS 450 2021
Which OBD2 scanner to buy?
Can someone advise which OBD2 scanner to buy that is best to explain which codes are faulting in my 21 450 GLS? Where exactly do you hook it up and leave it plugged in? Does it hurt anything leaving it plugged in all the time? How do you know what the codes mean?
thanks for any insight!
thanks for any insight!
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 11,921
Likes: 6,769
From: Silicon Valley
W212 MY'14 M276-3.5NA @75kMi
Coverage: basic vs. advanced...
The choices are plentiful to suit your needs. The short answer is most ppl start with the $150 intermediate type of scanners (Autel, iCarSoft, ?) then later upgrade to Xentry.
Go ahead and skip the basic $40 scanners that have next to no specific MB coverage.
After Intermediate scanners what's left are professional tools.
Either a pricy $1500 Autel tablet or similar.... or the best MB Xentry tablet (genuine/bootlegged)*.
Obviously the best tools are professional because their module coverage is extensive. Xentry covers 100%. The flip side is TMI can be overwhelming and DTC codes are not fixes nor solutions.
Eg: you retrieve a "random misfire" or "battery low-voltage" code then what do you do with it ...??
(*): the forum has an official Xentry vendor you may lookup under "BenzNinja".
All that being said, owning a scanner is a smart step towards sanity when SA keep yanking your chains with vague stories.
Go ahead and skip the basic $40 scanners that have next to no specific MB coverage.
After Intermediate scanners what's left are professional tools.
Either a pricy $1500 Autel tablet or similar.... or the best MB Xentry tablet (genuine/bootlegged)*.
Obviously the best tools are professional because their module coverage is extensive. Xentry covers 100%. The flip side is TMI can be overwhelming and DTC codes are not fixes nor solutions.
Eg: you retrieve a "random misfire" or "battery low-voltage" code then what do you do with it ...??
(*): the forum has an official Xentry vendor you may lookup under "BenzNinja".
All that being said, owning a scanner is a smart step towards sanity when SA keep yanking your chains with vague stories.
Last edited by CaliBenzDriver; Dec 26, 2021 at 05:05 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 63
Likes: 16
2022 GLS 450 (X167)
Don't get confused. When talking about Xentry it is going to be basically a black market copy of the software and PC supplied by you or a vendor from China including the hacked Xentry copy as a bundle. I doubt it if you would be looking to buy a $40k official Xentry copy for the US market.
BenzNinja is a great resource I hear if you want to go that route
BenzNinja is a great resource I hear if you want to go that route
Last edited by kosta15auto; Dec 29, 2021 at 10:36 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 762
Likes: 166
From: Oregon USA
2023 Mercedes EQS 580 SUV, 2023 Bentley Bentayga, 2023 Genesis GV60
I asked Autel about a scanner for my 2021 GLS63, and they recommended the $1,850
Autel MaxiCOM MK908 Diagnostic Tool, 2021 Newest Bi-Directional Scanner Wireless Active Test Scan Tool with Advanced ECU Coding All System Diagnosis 31+ Service MS906BT Updated Version: Code Readers & Scan Tools - Amazon.com
MK908 can perform the following functions for your car.
1.oil reset
2.EPB Reset
3.Throttle Reset
4.Read/erase full system codes
5.Fuel injection nozzle injection volume adjustment
Too pricey for a DIYer like me.
Autel MaxiCOM MK908 Diagnostic Tool, 2021 Newest Bi-Directional Scanner Wireless Active Test Scan Tool with Advanced ECU Coding All System Diagnosis 31+ Service MS906BT Updated Version: Code Readers & Scan Tools - Amazon.com
MK908 can perform the following functions for your car.
1.oil reset
2.EPB Reset
3.Throttle Reset
4.Read/erase full system codes
5.Fuel injection nozzle injection volume adjustment
Too pricey for a DIYer like me.
