SL/R230: Star
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: USA
'03 SL500, 98 SL500
I am looking for a C3 or C4 also. I am very experienced with BMW ISTA (Rheingold), for BMW. We now have a1998 R129 and a 2003 R230. Will C4 work with both cars? I'd like to be future proofed to some extent.I can't seem to get any clarification that C4 will work with models earlier than 2000. Some sellers mention HHT software for older models. Apologies if this question has been answered
Last edited by Moon350; Oct 30, 2019 at 11:35 PM. Reason: grammar, fragments
Banned
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,982
Likes: 393
From: Atlanta, unfortunately
'09 S600, (2) R129 300SLs, '03 SL500, '03 SL55
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: USA
'03 SL500, 98 SL500
Thanks. I have found a few options. Looks like I'm in for close to $500 for a C4 clone and SSD from China with good reviews and transaction history. I have a dedicated Think Pad I already use for coding. Does that price seem right, or can I do much better? Searched Ali, dhgate, cn, and Mbstartool. Mbstartool unit(s) seems to have the best reviews and specific mention of HHT. The seller responded to me quickly concerning developer mode being included as well.
Member
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 172
Likes: 17
--sold Sl55--
The hardware looks good, but it seems the hard drive is not pre-configured for a Dell D630. Consequently, it will run relatively slower, and setup may be more complex -- or not -- I don't know.
I'd find another seller or buy the hardware from this seller and source the hard drive elsewhere. If you have no success at all, reply back to this thread.
I'd find another seller or buy the hardware from this seller and source the hard drive elsewhere. If you have no success at all, reply back to this thread.
Since it states that the software runs on any computer, I suspect it uses a virtual machine under VMWare. Personally, I prefer that over a dedicated system. There are several reasons.why. First of all, I keep the original HDD and just copy the files to my computer's hard drive. That way, I can always restore it to "factory state" if I hose it up by poking around with things. Also, i can put a copy on my good laptop and desktop to use for research (in WIS, EPC, Xentry demo mode, etc). As for speed issues, I have SSDs in all my computers (including the Dell D630 in the garage) and the virtualized system runs just fine that way.
Now to source a laptop... is there a particular reason why D630 seems to be the most common choice? Will any laptop with an RS-232 port work? It seems like there might be a couple (though not many) slightly newer/more powerful models (eg E5510). Is a 32 bit system needed?
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 408
Likes: 40
From: Hawaii
2017 GLA 250, 2011 C63 P31 (p30 w/ lsd) (in repair), 2005 C230 Sport Eurocharged, 2003 C320~sold
Thank you both again for your feedback on this -- I ended up ordering this today. We'll see how it goes.
Now to source a laptop... is there a particular reason why D630 seems to be the most common choice? Will any laptop with an RS-232 port work? It seems like there might be a couple (though not many) slightly newer/more powerful models (eg E5510). Is a 32 bit system needed?
Now to source a laptop... is there a particular reason why D630 seems to be the most common choice? Will any laptop with an RS-232 port work? It seems like there might be a couple (though not many) slightly newer/more powerful models (eg E5510). Is a 32 bit system needed?
C4 mux is wireless so again can use any computer and only the C3 needs physically connected to the laptop.
Member
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 172
Likes: 17
--sold Sl55--
As i stated in many places as well as this thread, you do not need a serial port and can use just a USB port with an adapter. The one that i have used for years is listed in this thread. That being said you can use any laptop you choose. I went overboard on a W10 Samsung S9 Pro with an upgraded 1TB NvMe SSD. Your laptop will need a minimum of 500GB to barely get by if you end up loading your own software.
C4 mux is wireless so again can use any computer and only the C3 needs physically connected to the laptop.
C4 mux is wireless so again can use any computer and only the C3 needs physically connected to the laptop.
I purchased a C3 system (my car is a 2008). I had read elsewhere that USB/serial adapters do not play well with the C3 Multiplexer. Is that wrong?
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 408
Likes: 40
From: Hawaii
2017 GLA 250, 2011 C63 P31 (p30 w/ lsd) (in repair), 2005 C230 Sport Eurocharged, 2003 C320~sold
Also you could have purchased a C4 so that you future proof any newer cars you get. I have used a C3 successfully up to 2011 C63 AMG with 2012 version software but did have issues on a 2008 C300 not reading the SRS system. Connected the same vehicle to my C4 with 2018 software and had no problems.
Last edited by krazzdav; Nov 12, 2019 at 04:22 AM.
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Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 43
Likes: 5
2006 SL55 2007 ML320
Could someone tell me if this is a good buy? If I get it with the hard drive, would I be able to install it in a laptop and be good to go?
US$299.00 MB SD Connect Compact 4 MB Star C4 Mercedes Benz Diagnostic Tool V2019.12 With Vediamo and DTS for Cars and Trucks on Sale
https://m.cnautotool.com/goods-334-M...8aAuSqEALw_wcB
US$299.00 MB SD Connect Compact 4 MB Star C4 Mercedes Benz Diagnostic Tool V2019.12 With Vediamo and DTS for Cars and Trucks on Sale
https://m.cnautotool.com/goods-334-M...8aAuSqEALw_wcB
Member
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 128
Likes: 40
From: Florida
2017 SL550 (R231), 2021 E350 (W213)
Through a decent amount of trouble, I've gotten a C3 mux working with a 2005 SL500. I'm using a vmware virtual machine, gotten from MHH AUTO forums, containing 11/2012 version of DAS. Currently XENTRY isn't licensed correctly, but DAS works great. I'm a little confused about XENTRY and DAS:
1) For a 2005 car, it seems like DAS does diagnostics. Do I need to bother with XENTRY as all?
2) I got a hard drive with my C3 mux based on 2019-09, but it doesn't work. Is there any advantage for a newer system? Should I bother?
3) There is a program C4Montioring.exe taking lots of CPU. Killing it doesn't seem to cause any issues. Is this normal?
I purchased the C3 mux from one of the links in this thread. Thanks to all who have contributed here! STAR isn't the easiest thing to get started with.
1) For a 2005 car, it seems like DAS does diagnostics. Do I need to bother with XENTRY as all?
2) I got a hard drive with my C3 mux based on 2019-09, but it doesn't work. Is there any advantage for a newer system? Should I bother?
3) There is a program C4Montioring.exe taking lots of CPU. Killing it doesn't seem to cause any issues. Is this normal?
I purchased the C3 mux from one of the links in this thread. Thanks to all who have contributed here! STAR isn't the easiest thing to get started with.
