BulletMagnet

I've been trying to contact @MBENZTECH but I just joined the group and must be doing something wrong.
I bought a 2007 S600 a couple weeks ago and I believe I've inherited a lot of problems. I'm trying to find a scanning tool that will keep me out of the dealerships for $450 diagnostics every time I have a problem.
I've read about a lot of different scanners and I'm saturated. Could someone please tell me what I need for this specific car (other vehicles would be a plus)?
I currently have an adaptive headlight inoperable fault message and it's driving me insane. Other mechanics using multiple scanners believe the SAM isn't communicating with the headlight correctly. I'm hoping a good scanner will help me with stuff like this. I don't mind if I need to buy it preloaded on a Laptop or whatever, just would like a referral to a reputable source and maybe a list of the stuff I need.
Disabled veteran here, 100%. Think I've bitten off more than I can chew trying to make the wife happy. Help!!

MBENZTECH

A genuine Tactrix device along with Xentry Passthru should be the perfect combination for basic diagnostics along with reading actual values, reading fault codes and clearing fault codes. Once you figure out how to send me a PM, I will send you the link to download Xentry passthru and I will help you activate it AT NO CHARGE. I want to make this very clear, I will help you activate it AT NO CHARGE. As far as the Tactrix device, you can just google it. Please, don't buy any chinese cloned Tactrix. Now, if you want to take it a bit further and start offline programming and coding you will need a C4 or C6. Big learning curve as far as offline flashing and coding. Again, once you figure it out, send me a PM.

BOTUS

car diagnostics tends to fall in 4 categories

1) ODB2 std - budget rubbish - free phone apps - and only tells of a few 'ideas' that could be wrong on the way the engine and gearbox are behaving... the law mandated the car must provide 5 out a possible 16 generic codes - utterly pointless on a German car as they have about 3000 diagnostic fault codes for the entire car

2) Budget stuff, which can go from useless lies to brilliant - autel do one for $200 that will tell you more about a Merc than a $5k snap on tool can - but that's the key it can only tell - you can't interact with it other than tell codes to go away

3) High end bi-directional third party tools that can do lots on lots of brands - however they are a mine field of updates, costs, missing features - but with vastly more capability where the the vendor bothered to do their homework - see above the Snap On tools can't even diagnose any w221 interior entertainment / comand issues - so you pay $1200 a year to update it and they still don't bother to add it 5 years down the line - or even add the Genesis brand (posh Kia's) to the UK versions, even though Snap On USA developed the software two years ago. And even though an Aston Martin of 2011, is just a Volvo electrical system, they can't even be bothered to support this - so when my brother in law's car battery goes flat I can't help at all !

4) Then we get to the Single Brand Dealer kit that does everything properly - and if you have a decent modern laptop this is a bargain (note: never buy junk off ebay). The best bit is and his knowledge is the best out there https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w221/865705-diy-diagnostics-coding-remote-assistance-usa-s-n-1-a.html



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nath_h

Do yourself a favor and skip forward to a @BenzNinja subscription and his hardware setup. You'll spend more on the front end, but you will save yourself a lot of money and frustration in the long run. I played with a Foxwell scanner and a dodgy Ebay WIS setup before buying the real thing.

kevm14

I'd argue Benz Ninja plus a handheld tool. iCarSoft MB V3.0 is affordable and should do most things short of programming/advanced coding. There are a number of other Autel/Launch-based products that do all the makes but I've never bought one.

vettebk

Totally agree with buying BenzNinja's service for your 2007 S600 especially since you have coding issues. I have an S600 also 2007 and use a Foxwell Mercedes now that my car is sorted. I love it. But like a mistress; it is expensive, high maintenance, and finicky. Worth every penny!

Keep us informed on what you decide to do. There is a lot of knowledge on this board if you are interested.

MBCO

Second the motion BenzNinja's service for your 2007 S600. Get the diagnostic tools and service experience to solve your issues, remote login to your car and a tutor live to show you. Plus performance upgrades available. Join the club you won’t regret it you will enjoy it.

Arrie

BenzNinja 100%. Cannot go wrong with him!

Low cost scanner is Xentry BenzNinja package. It is total of about $1000 or so but then you are golden. He will help you fix your car BIG TIME!

If I was closer to you, I would give you a scan, but it is a bit of a drive from southern Louisiana...

s5benzo

I have both xentry and the xtool a30m. I love both because obviously xentry (on an old dell laptop) is the factory tool and the capabilities are limitless. The xtool though is easier is carry around as it's a obd2 bluetooth puck. Does almost everything the factory tool does and gets into all the modules and provides data as well as actuation. It's not a bad tool for $170 and you can use it on multiple devices android or apple.

oldmanriver

@BulletMagnet I was in a similar type of boat that you're in now when I acquired my 1st MB. I received assistance MBENZTECH with various topics including Xentry. Awesome guy I cant say enough good things about him!

bg164

@MBENZTECH , I know this is a somewhat older thread but you seem to know this software pretty well. I'm having some issues with my Xentry, it worked and then it didn't, I'm getting this message when I try to open it.

I also need to be able to change the SPS to off, somehow it got turned on despite it not being installed and is disabling my ABS, ESP and Cruise Control. I'm using a NexIQ USB Link 2 adapter on it that I have for my heavy equipment.

I'm also a new user so don't have PM access yet but, if there's anything you, or anyone else, can do to help I would really appreciate it.

doni01

iTrader: (1)

I have a full Xentry if interested...definitely not a cheap beginner scanning tool though.

bg164

If I had more than one MB, I would probably do it. Other than this issue though, I've never needed to code anything or change any adaptions. I have no idea how this one got changed to on. 99.9% of the time just being able to read and clear codes is all I need. It would be worth a couple hundred to be able to code parts and change adaptations, above that though it's more cost effective to just run to a shop and have them do it. Which may be what I end up doing for this issue.

kevm14

I wonder if that Launch C-Reader Elite X431 thing can do it.

BOTUS

the car manu (trying to stop owners working on own cars) and the diag tool manu to make you pay for annual updates - at SERIOUS money - have for the new cars conspired to make working on cars an online mess up

not much surprise its coming when BMW trying to stop you adding toys without buying or on an app without renting - have created self destructing modules if you try to get at them - and the diag tool manu not wanting you loading the wrong software and kicking their reputation in to touch, have created and its growing...

Maxfli

One more proponent of using BenzNinja. Membership gets you lifetime support with Peter, who knows MB very well, to diagnose and fix your problems. I have a 2007 S550 and a 2011 E63 and he helped me diagnose some issues with the S550, resetting the thermal sensor in the drivers door window, diagnosing a corroded connection on my heated mirror and updating all the control modules. This alone pretty much paid for the membership.

I didn’t want to mess around with generic scanners that gave generic codes and that couldn’t interact with the car or continuously pay for updates.

Save yourself the time and hassle…gives you more time to enjoy your car!

bg164

Honestly, for what I'm working on, DAS with an offline programming database should do everything I need. If I could just find it... We like the diesel and hate the emissions systems on the newer ones so this 2008 is probably where we'll stay for good.

kevm14

I have the BenzNinja and can vouch. But I try to diversify so that's why I tried (successfully) to update the SW on 5 modules on my 07 S550 using offline DAS. Though I'm still using the computer/software that was all set up and validated through his service, so even when I'm not using the BenzNinja, I'm using the BenzNinja.