SL/R230: Scanners
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 180
Likes: 12
From: Corning, Ca.
2006 sl55$$$$$$
Scanners
What is the advantage of having Xentry over over the other scanners that are used here is really worth the extra cost in the long run…..Asking for a friend :-)
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 7,847
Likes: 3,495
From: Maryland
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
What do you mean "extra cost"? Many of the kits you can get are less than a good shop scanner. The advantage of the DAS/Xentry is that you can do some programming with it, which means there are no safeguards from bricking your car. Personally, without the training and knowledge to use Xentry, something like the Launch Creader Elite Benz is as good if not better. And it is only around $130 currently at Amazon. Tell your friend.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 469
Likes: 119
From: North West England
SL500
It depends what you plan to use it for, and how much you want to get involved.
Xentry is the "rolls Royce" tool (or is that S-Class tool
). It is the factory tool, but it can not do everything Mercedes can with it though. It is the best diagnostic scanner, and the only one that has comprehensive "Guided fault finding" (If a code is found, it tells you how to investigate further, such as read a voltage at a certain place, then gives next step depending on voltage found). It is very comprehensive!!!
You can do variant coding, which can add features to the car. You can also control most things from the laptop, including lights, windows, seats etc as well as see all the inputs in real time. There is also an engineering mode, which is where you can **** things up! It is the best diagnostic tool. If you become an enthusiast you can add vediamo, which will give you control module back ups, as well as out of car access to modules. However getting a working system is time consuming and requires a lot of patience, and a lot of computer tinkering. Not too expensive if you already have a suitable laptop There are no manuals, so a lot of research needed to get running with it.
Next level are Mercedes specific diagnostic tools, like iCarsoft, Autel foxwell etc. These are good home mechanic tools, and will give codes and descriptions for most modules. Some can even actuate things on the car, but basically they are comprehensive code readers/code reseters. I cary one in the car when travelling, just in case.
Finaly generic ODBII code readers. Forget these
Xentry is the "rolls Royce" tool (or is that S-Class tool
). It is the factory tool, but it can not do everything Mercedes can with it though. It is the best diagnostic scanner, and the only one that has comprehensive "Guided fault finding" (If a code is found, it tells you how to investigate further, such as read a voltage at a certain place, then gives next step depending on voltage found). It is very comprehensive!!!You can do variant coding, which can add features to the car. You can also control most things from the laptop, including lights, windows, seats etc as well as see all the inputs in real time. There is also an engineering mode, which is where you can **** things up! It is the best diagnostic tool. If you become an enthusiast you can add vediamo, which will give you control module back ups, as well as out of car access to modules. However getting a working system is time consuming and requires a lot of patience, and a lot of computer tinkering. Not too expensive if you already have a suitable laptop There are no manuals, so a lot of research needed to get running with it.
Next level are Mercedes specific diagnostic tools, like iCarsoft, Autel foxwell etc. These are good home mechanic tools, and will give codes and descriptions for most modules. Some can even actuate things on the car, but basically they are comprehensive code readers/code reseters. I cary one in the car when travelling, just in case.
Finaly generic ODBII code readers. Forget these
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 7,847
Likes: 3,495
From: Maryland
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
... There are no manuals, so a lot of research needed to get running with it.
Next level are Mercedes specific diagnostic tools, like iCarsoft, Autel foxwell etc. These are good home mechanic tools, and will give codes and descriptions for most modules. Some can even actuate things on the car, but basically they are comprehensive code readers/code reseters.
I cary one in the car when travelling, just in case.
Finaly generic ODBII code readers. Forget these
Next level are Mercedes specific diagnostic tools, like iCarsoft, Autel foxwell etc. These are good home mechanic tools, and will give codes and descriptions for most modules. Some can even actuate things on the car, but basically they are comprehensive code readers/code reseters.
I cary one in the car when travelling, just in case.
Finaly generic ODBII code readers. Forget these
Why so many different ones? I acquired them over time. The Autel is the only multi-brand scanner of the group. Actually, you can add car brands individually to the Creader Elite, and I do have a BlueDriver scanner that will do multiple vehicle brands.
Lastly, I agree, don't waste money on a generic code reader.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 1,325
Likes: 365
From: Gretna, NE
'03 SL55 Black, '03 SL500's Aegean, Mars Red, Tazanite, Alabaster, '11 S550 Flint Gray
DAS is the full dealership level system. Most aftermarket systems don't have every function of standard DAS and none have DAS Developer features. In addition, DAS has guided tests for most DTC's. Some are a bit difficult to do without a full inventory of dealer special tools, but you at least know what needs to be looked at. In addition, it usually comes with WIS (workshop instructions), EPC (electronic catalog based on specific VIN), Star Finder (shows location of every switch, module, ground point, wiring harness connector). While you can get those things separately, none are all that simple to get and install. DAS is pretty safe and generally reversible. Developer can get you into trouble with actuations, but if you stay in actual values it is pretty safe.
They also come with a DAS simulator, so you can explore a bit offline and get a plan together for actual work on the car. If you have a few issues, you can verify which modules control that function. For example, if you have a gas gauge problem, you can find which module reads the sensor and how to test it, go to WIS to find a wiring diagram, and then to Star Finder to see where the module, ground points, etc. are located. If you determine the sensor to be defective, you can find the correct p/n for your specific vehicle in EPC and replacement procedure in WIS. An aftermarket code reader will just give you an invalid fuel sensor reading in the Rear SAM and the rest is up to you to figure out somewhere else.
They also come with a DAS simulator, so you can explore a bit offline and get a plan together for actual work on the car. If you have a few issues, you can verify which modules control that function. For example, if you have a gas gauge problem, you can find which module reads the sensor and how to test it, go to WIS to find a wiring diagram, and then to Star Finder to see where the module, ground points, etc. are located. If you determine the sensor to be defective, you can find the correct p/n for your specific vehicle in EPC and replacement procedure in WIS. An aftermarket code reader will just give you an invalid fuel sensor reading in the Rear SAM and the rest is up to you to figure out somewhere else.
