SL/R129: Which OBD II scanner to buy
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 109
Likes: 6
From: Seattle
2002 G500, 1961 190b, 2001 SL500 Sport
Which OBD II scanner to buy
Years ago I was a boat mechanic and now I do lots of work myself on my cars. I have a lot of tools but never bought my own scanner. I have 3 benzes with ODB ports. Which scanner should I get. I don't want to spend $500 on a snap on scanner but I want a decent one that can do most things.
What do you all recommend for these cars?
Note- the only cars I currently own with ODBs are early 2000s benzes.
What do you all recommend for these cars?
Note- the only cars I currently own with ODBs are early 2000s benzes.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,982
Likes: 393
From: Atlanta, unfortunately
'09 S600, (2) R129 300SLs, '03 SL500, '03 SL55
I would spend around $350 and put together a Star Diagnosis system -- the Holy Grail of Mercedes diagnostic tools. In addition to reading codes it details troubleshooting procedures and in some cases has programmed routines for testing components and systems. You also get: Mercedes Workshop Information System (WIS) that includes functional descriptions and procedures for removing and installing parts, the Mercedes parts catalogue (EPC), and electrical schematics with part locator (ETM and StarFinder).
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 109
Likes: 6
From: Seattle
2002 G500, 1961 190b, 2001 SL500 Sport
Ok I bought that device for $45 on amazon. Only 3 left. If it leaves me wanting I'll look at buying the star system but I couldn't find a complete system that would guarantee it's worth the money when I looked. Also lots of star systems are $700+ I've read that some of the expensive ones need $600 per year software updates to stay on top of things.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,982
Likes: 393
From: Atlanta, unfortunately
'09 S600, (2) R129 300SLs, '03 SL500, '03 SL55
Banned
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,982
Likes: 393
From: Atlanta, unfortunately
'09 S600, (2) R129 300SLs, '03 SL500, '03 SL55
There are three separate diagnostic applications within Star Diagnosis, and each is more or less associated with a decade of production. "HHT-Win" is for '90s-era vehicles, "DAS" is for the '00s, and "XENTRY" is for the '10s. HHT-Win would run for your SL500; I suppose DAS would run for your G500.
I have the notion that updates are generally exclusive to XENTRY and would be for new cars and features as well as correcting errors and bugs in recent releases.
I have two releases of Star Diagnosis: 2008 and 2014. As it pertains to my 2003 SL I have not been able to discern a difference in the two versions of DAS. I suppose DAS is legacy software that isn't being updated any more than Microsoft is updating Windows XP.
I have the notion that updates are generally exclusive to XENTRY and would be for new cars and features as well as correcting errors and bugs in recent releases.
I have two releases of Star Diagnosis: 2008 and 2014. As it pertains to my 2003 SL I have not been able to discern a difference in the two versions of DAS. I suppose DAS is legacy software that isn't being updated any more than Microsoft is updating Windows XP.
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Banned
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,982
Likes: 393
From: Atlanta, unfortunately
'09 S600, (2) R129 300SLs, '03 SL500, '03 SL55
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 8
Likes: 1
From: Louisville , KY
SL500
2000 SL500?
My friend purchased this four weeks ago and it arrived last week. Price is $199 without software; $244 with. Software can be downloaded from www.*******.com and other sites.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,982
Likes: 393
From: Atlanta, unfortunately
'09 S600, (2) R129 300SLs, '03 SL500, '03 SL55
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
2004 SL500
Ok I bought that device for $45 on amazon. Only 3 left. If it leaves me wanting I'll look at buying the star system but I couldn't find a complete system that would guarantee it's worth the money when I looked. Also lots of star systems are $700+ I've read that some of the expensive ones need $600 per year software updates to stay on top of things.
Hey Miike
How is the scanner working for you? I'm still looking and hesitant to pull the trigger on anything yet
Junior Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 74
Likes: 11
2013 S550(W221)
My friend purchased this four weeks ago and it arrived last week. Price is $199 without software; $244 with. Software can be downloaded from www.*******.com and other sites.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,982
Likes: 393
From: Atlanta, unfortunately
'09 S600, (2) R129 300SLs, '03 SL500, '03 SL55
Junior Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 74
Likes: 11
2013 S550(W221)
What about the difference between that and iCarsoft MB II? The idea of having the repair instruction from the star system is fantastic, though I don't how useful that actually is and whether I'll be able find those guides separately somewhere on the internet. By the way, I'm actually looking for something tor a w221 s class if that makes a difference.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 109
Likes: 6
From: Seattle
2002 G500, 1961 190b, 2001 SL500 Sport
I've only used it a few times. I was able to reset a code on one car but I forgot which code and car it was. I know I scanned all my cars with it and they all worked. C320, SL500, and G500.
