Want my own Star Diagnostic unit
 

I have a 2008 C300 and a friend has a 2006 S430. We want a diagonostic reader/code/input unit for just our two cars. Any help directing us to the applicable unit will be greatly appreciated

u can find them on ebay or alibaba for around 600$ check this one out http://www.ebay.com/itm/MB-Star-SD-Connect-C4-05-2014-for-Dell-630-HDD-Software-Mercedes-Benz-DAS-/221280008176?hash=item338550f7f0&vxp=mtr

Another source would be DHGate.com.


Some things to keep in mind while shopping.


1. Look for free shipping, preferably by DHL or the like.
2. Consider a C3 rather than a C4. Considerably easier to set up but does require a true serial port. Eliminates another layer of complexities that a USB adaptor would introduce.
3. Avoid "works on any computer" this means that its in a Virtual Machine (VM environment ) Again, more complexities best avoided.
4. Avoid "IBM T30" very old and pretty slow machines. Dell 620/630/820/830 all work very well and quite a bit faster with Core 2 Duo CPU ( up to 2.2 Ghz speed ) , SATA HD and they have a serial port. Among the very last laptops manufactured with one.


I bought my system piece meal a year ago. All total to date the cost has been: $413
Dell D630 ( 2.1 Ghz processor, 120 gb HDD, 4 g ram ) = $81 + $15 shipping Ebay
C3 Multiplexor = $225 shipped, sourced thru DHGate.com
Xentry/DAS on Dell HDD = $93 shipped again thru DHgate.com

thanks to both for your repy

Does anyone know if you can install the STAR hard drive for a T30 into a later Dell?

you cannot. the T30 drive is an IDE connector. The Dells are SATA. What you could do though if you feel confident enough, is to clone the T30 drive to an external USB SATA HD enclosure with the Dell HD inside. If the T30 has a USB port. You can grab one for under $10 at Amazon or Newegg.




Going that route will require redoing your startkeys but probably worth it for the performance boost alone.