Hi everyone,

I have read pretty much everything about getting my own diagnostic tools to do my own programming on my 2003 SL55.

I am still very confused and there is so many competing products, I hope someone could just give me a straight answer.

Long story short, I got the strutmaster coil conversion done, it is pretty good btw, if people wanna know how I think, just ask me.

I really didn't want to use the bypass module, but the shop didn't know how to program the ABC error away, so I am looking to just invest a system where it has the ability to program the ABC out, have WIS so that I can look at repair information when I need help on fixing my own car, and whatever sweet extra functions there is.

I want a VMWARE system rather than a full on Dell laptop because I am very good at computers and virtualization ability.

Please, please, please, someone just point me to one that has worked before or you are fairly certain is what I am looking for.

I don't care if it's in Chinese because I can read it perfectly too.

Thank a million!

J

 

Jtse, hope this helps :

 

Hahaha looks like someone made my post awhile back in a PDF. And yes DAS can code out ABC cause I did it on my VVK Sport Coilover Setup those pictures are of my SL65 being coded out

 

Thank you Geo3!

I just went on your website and just saw this: http://www3.sympatico.ca/gmacgruer/S...ilOversMin.pdf

That is some good stuff, I wished I had seen it before I made the conversion to the Strutmaster kit.

Not to argue with you, but since on your guide, you had said that you have trouble getting owner's review about the conversions, here is the opinion.

"Someone who isn't me; SWIM" , was driving very aggressively on the freeway going way past the speed limit and doing "dangerous" maneuvers just to see how the car performs, later up a mountain snake like road. The whole no sway bar thing got SWIM worried initially, but now after the conversion SWIM can say the following: SWIM actually like the car after the conversion better than the stock ABC. The handling is different like one would expect from a coilover. The ride is actually nicer, and the handling is about 95% the same. Body roll is a bit more but it doesn't bother SWIM at all. It bounces or some may call it softer suspension a little more, not to the point of an old cadillac though, or some may also call it floating.

Anyway, I went deeper into the world of DAS system and realized the following:

There are mainly two types of DAS system you can buy; 1) MB hardware diagnosis machine + a computer/tablet. or 2) MB Hardware Diagnosis Machine + VMWARE virtualization software. (should work on majority windows computers)

For MB hardware, there is C3, C4, & C5. I think C5 is the newest and probably should get that because C3 isn't supported by newest software updates anymore from MB.

For a computer/tablet, the preferred is a Dell D630 and some other ones too, mainly refurbished computers I noticed. But I assume the seller would have a working thing out of the box, so it might be worth the money if you are very computer shy. The tablet is an awesome looking EVG7 touch screen and makes you look like a professional MB tech, it is more expensive.

For the computer aspect, I believe there are several things going on (I hope someone can just correct me if I am wrong):

1) The software is most likely a pirated system that works.
2) The software is locked in and activated per hard drive so the sellers insist on selling the entire package with the computer so that car repair techs aren't frustrated with the world of activating pirated software through key generators and cracks or what not.
3) The software itself is available as a torrent or some sort on sites like MHH Auto. It should be a huge file to download and if you have no idea what I said in point 2, you should never bother going the VMWARE route at all.

Now, I haven't pull the trigger for anything yet because I am still researching, so the points above are all theoretical understanding.

I am very good with computers so I am spending my time learning all of this for an intellectual purpose. Another reason is I want to save a few bucks as I don't trust refurbished hardwares from questionable Chinese sources.

If anyone has a VMWARE rig, please let me know how slow is it exactly?

At this point, any deep level insights is greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

J

 

Hi Jtse,

Thanks for the review of the coil-over driving feel, etc.

Could you let me know what are the heights from ground, of front and rear inner fender/arch upper edges?

I want to do some form of coil-over conversion and have been scouring the web for a couple of years now, collecting together as much info as possible, before moving forward. I have difficulty getting reviews.

Keep us informed how you get on with DAS, etc.

 

I would also love to have one of these systems for home use, but don't trust the chinese copies. I have a big fear of plugging something in and it bricking my car's ECU.

 

they are all Chinese copies and they are pretty much all using pirated software with a keygen. you need the multiplexer either way to make things work, then a computer with a serial port (at least if you are c3). for an 03 an older software version is needed in order to get full coding ability. MB took away the ability to code some stuff in later version releases when the r230 was no longer being produced. for 99% of users this isn't an issue as the only coding ability taken away was some in developer mode, which his all in german.

 

Thank you for that valuable information, carguyshu. Are you fairly certain about the 2003 cutoff for full development options?

I recall being able to use SDS / DAS many years ago to correct values in the KI and EIS but have noticed that in the 2013, 5-2015, and 3-2017 versions the developer options no longer cover this fully. (I'll check to see if I still have an image of 2003 or earlier software.)

 

the cutoff is when they stopped producing the r230 as there was no reason for the full dev mode to continue to exist as the manufactures of various modules in the car no longer needed to be developing and making new modules for the chassis. What i was trying to say was an 03 car would need an older version and not the current version. i think the cutoff was sometime in 2011 or 2012 for the software to have full dev mode for that chassis. There is a lighter dev mode still available in the current software. also, the 03 doesn't have a central gateway like the 04+ models do, so everything in STAR is slightly different for diagnosis and such.

If you try to get a version much earlier than 03 the software might not even cover your car since the car may not have existed yet in the software.

 

Carguyshu:

Are you saying that the guide above to code out the ABC might not be available in the latest software? If so, that would be a huge bummer for me....... can someone please check for me with their newer STAR system?

Im very close to buying a system with the new 2017 version. I would find it too frustrating if I can not do it.....

Thanks,

J

 

you can code out ABC and do a lot of things with a 2017 version, you just can't do some of the more crazy module coding (which has to be done in all german anyways)

 

Acknowledged. Thanks, will give the 2011 or maybe 2012 SDS versions a try.

Note that as of 2002, SDS / DAS still had recent updates available for W140-series onboard controllers. This is known because at that time I had a 1996 S600 in Beijing and a 1999 S600 here in NYC. Both had eligible updates for the klimaanlage system and I applied them accordingly (admittedly there was not much difference in operation).

 

Front
BackNot sure how to measure inside gender and stuff. I will create another post with full review another day.

J

 

Thanks for pics, Jtse.

Just measure from ground beside wheel going past the wheel centreline until it reaches just under the fender lip/edge. Another option, is to measure to wheel centre (as image shows).

My ABC front (on lowest), from ground to fender lip measures 27" while my rear is 27.5".

Thanks, Geo.

 

I think the guide is missing one final step:

After the "Then go to the drop down tab and change it from PRESENT to NOT PRESENT, and click F3. "

I had to hit F5 to process the new coding for it to work.

After that it worked immediately.

J

 

Did you end up buying a kit? Did you go VMware route?

 

I didn't go the VMware route. I bought a system off of a member here that was selling it. Even the regular laptop based c4 system is very slow. So VMware would be impossible to operate without the paint drying first. Unless you know exactly what to do, VMware should be too slow to be worthy of your time to figure the multiple layers of options for you to do what you need to do.

 

I got a Dell and Chinese "packaged" - has worked perfect for years on all our cars and have saved me for big bucks

 

Hi !
I use no VM
My system is a unique and acclaimed 2020 build https://mybestdealers.com
"The best or nothing"


It's always better to read what people that have had them all think of it:
https://mbworld.org/forums/sl55-amg-...ml#post8101695

reviews here


enjoy