mihir_d

I guess, most of us folks active on the W163 forum are by now holding on to 10+ year old cars, that are in need of frequent troubleshooting/diagnostics.

Half the faults we face can be diagnosed with standard OBD II scanners, but increasingly, complex problems on aging W163s need STAR diagnostic.

I was wondering, it might be worth the investment on the STAR diagnostic system instead of paying a dealer/indy with STAR diagnostic $100/$200 for diagnosis each time.

Also with W163, we don't necessarily need the latest software/tools since the car itself is so old.

Anyone looking into purchasing STAR diagnostic software/SCAN tool, at what $$ and what would be best place to get it?

Forum members who live in relative proximity can also look into share purchasing of it. I would be interested if someone else in my area is up for it..

DrX

The best place to get Star Diagnosis is from MB, and the price is just over $20,000 plus tax. http://www.baumtools.com/pdf/SDS_FORM_2012.pdf Software licence fee is $7,270 per year.

Anywhere else you can buy Star Diagnosis from is a pirate/criminal.

Still interested?

mihir_d

Holy Cow! I had heard of the $20,000 number somewhere but then the $300-500 kits keep popping on eBay which sound suspicious.

Now I know. Those are indeed pirated. I will live with the $100-200 diagnosis fee at the dealer.

Thanks for the info you shared.