awiner

PM Sent

vladc77

Thank you!

Yceo4u

can you share awiner suggestion regarding star. Thanks

rgdeja

I've been using my cheap chinese MUX for almost a year now, no issues. I was thinking of getting the newer WIFI model but it is too expensive even at chinese prices (700+USD with shipping)

The older model is about 250 shipping included on aliexpress.com, if you are not a workshop and home user like me then a cheaper one will do. I have done lot of ABC work with mine.

vladc77

I did order a Chinese version and happy so far. However, I did not use it a lot to make sure it is reliable. I hope it will last. I also don't see a reason to have WIFI model which is more expensive but does the same testings.

BonitaBeast

Hi Vladc77. Could you please PM me a site where I can get a C3 or C4 as well? I have a 2003 G55 and my brother's 2009 G55 I would like to use the star on. I'm open to using the C3 if it will work but I'm not sure it will work with the 2009 and also, I've updated a few modules (Transfer case module updated in 2008) on my 2003 and I'm not sure the C3 would read those either.

I'm in the middle of diagnosing some problems with my supercharger install and I'm really in need of Star Diagnostics tool right about now.

Thanks in advance.

BonitaBeast

So I just got the C4 in the mail. I'm still waiting for the T30 to arrive from ebay. I did tell the seller that I'd be using a T30 with the C4. Is there something I should be looking for in the kit to know if it is the correct C4 to use with the T30?

I'm still figuring out how to hook all this stuff up and how to install the software onto the laptop.

Does anyone have any tips?

awiner

C3 / C4 actually specifies the computer or tablet used in the SDS environment, not the mux.

The wired mux is called a Type D

The wireless mux is called SD Connect

I usually recommend the Type D mux as the wireless mux can be a setup hassle demanding on what type of computer and hardware is used.

Both mux's will talk to all Mercedes vehicles and trucks.

The T30 is rather slow but will get the job done. If your ever in the market for a faster SDS laptop, the Dell 630 with at least 2Ghz and the speed improvement especially when using Xentry is like night and day.

BonitaBeast

Pardon my ignorance :-) but what do mux and SDS stand for?

This is what I just receieved in the mail. Still awaiting my T30.

Could someone tell me which one I got? I suppose I should have done a bit more research before I pulled the trigger but I was in too much of a hurry. I hope this will still do the job.

awiner

MUX - Multiplexer

SDS - Star Diagnostic System


I have no idea what the heck you got! Where did you order from?

It appears to be a knock off of a type D mux or a Carsoft product. It doesn't appear to be wireless as it has a 9 pin cable end which would indicate a hard wire to the RS232 port.

What software does are you supposed to be getting? DAS/Xentry or ??

BonitaBeast

I have no idea....

Someone on the message board recommended the site I got this from (chinese site) and other people vouched for it so I jumped. Of course, this was all before I did I more detailed search. The people who have this said they haven't had problems with it so I'm hoping I won't have any issues either.

If I were to do it again, what would you recommend getting? And would you have a particular site in mind where I could order from? You can PM me the info if you don't want to post it on the site.

Also, what is the difference between C3 and C4?

I would be using the SDS on the following vehicles. I want to make sure the system works on all or even most of them.
2009 G55
2008 E320 CDI
2007 C300
2007 S350
2004 E55
2003 G55
1993 500E
1988 300CE

awiner

I always recommend a genuine or very good clone Mercedes MUX using DAS and Xentry. There is no better software than the Mercedes factory diagnostics.

I have not used Carsoft 7.4, however I hear it is OK, but still not as complete as the official Mercedes diagnostics.

vladc77

BonitaBeast, I ordered C3 from that Chinese website and it is working really good. I consider it to be a very good replica. I also spent a ton of time researching for the best source to get a good replica and found few distributors on the forums. I figured that all of them list their products under different names on the same Chinese site. I don't know which C4 you got from them because I did not research on it. I pointed you to C3 which I picked. I believe they sell a very good quality of C3. As a result, I may conclude they should be selling a good replica of C4. You should be fine with T30. The faster computer is Dell D630. I hope you will be fine with what you got. It can be difficult to setup it at the beginning depending on your computer skills level but don't give up. You always can contact their customer service through skype. They are quite responsive.

sciroccor

so, if i were to buy the chinese clone MUX that was shown earlier in this thread and used any computer with a 9 pin rs232, i need some software. it appears that you recommend DAS or Xentry. from where do i get those?

like this??
http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/38...edes_benz.html

awiner

I guess the easiest way to answer that is question is honestly.

The ONLY legal way to own DAS/XENTRY is to have a licensed copy through Mercedes which is quite costly.

vladc77

The software is provided with that supplier. However, like awiner said, you have other option which is to buy it through Mercedes.

awiner

The software that is supplied through that link shown is also a 2007 version. While 2007 era DAS will work for 2007 and older vehicles it may not work for 2008+ vehicles.

Additionally, as new versions of DAS/XENTRY are released (usually every other month), new flashes, etc. are provided. So 2007 is pretty out of date.

vladc77

He can also order a kit with newer software. Most likely, the supplier will have the most recent software. In addition, he can update software on his own but it will require some knowledge base on how to do it correctly.

awiner

Yup As I tell all newbies, get ready to pull your hair out

NezPakal

Vladc77 or awiner

Could you please PM the info on which site to order the system from?

Thanks!!!

vladc77

I got it from here: http://www.dhgate.com/mb-star-c3-pro...bdb2b7abd.html

It was C3 not C4. I hope it helps.

alex1986

I would Advise buy MB SD CONNECT C4 with D630 laptop.
because it connect via LAN Cable but not COM Port as mb star c3 . most laptop have not this COM port ,also used Laptop may have problem on Com port so that you would not communication well .
I got one from here MB SD Connect Compact 4 Star MB STAR C4,SD Connect ,mercedes multiplexer,mb star [PD021] almost one year . It still working great .

ealltech

MB Star is an excellent piece of diagnostic equipment, the best out there for MB, I have seen other diagnostic platforms and I would only ever use star.
I've got one of the "china" ones for the house and we have a german one for the shop. the cheap one is definatly cheap but it does the job. I've had it for four months and it does everything that our expensive one does. I'm a little more careful with it so I don't mess up the wiring. I say buy it!!!!!!!!!!

giuseppe mike

Here is a mb sd compact c4, there are two software hdd, one dell d630 hdd work on dell d630 laptop only, another one external hdd wok on all laptop with com port

Lee(UK)

I know this thread has been going for a while now, however i thought I would update it. I recently purchased a replacement box from obd tool shop company and it works great on my W212, R171 and my smart 451. It allowed me to do exactly what I needed and the diagnostics are great.

They recently changed the web address for anybody looking for a system to http://www.obdtoolshop.co.uk/

Hope this is useful.