Buying my own SDS..concerns?
02-11-2007, 11:52 PM
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2015 S212
Buying my own SDS..concerns?
Hi all, I am looking into a new SDS system and wondered if there were pitfalls to be careful of. i have seen ones on Ebay for as low as $5K and new systems for as much as $20k. Does anyone know what the rules for software support, etc are? Also, is there a manual available online anywhere just to see the capanilities and service requirements?
02-12-2007, 12:24 AM
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'19 G63 Ed 1,'18 M5, '16 G63,'12 458 , '11 E63, Brabus SL55-K8, '10 S63, '94 E500 "Wolf", '91 560SEC
We just bought the CarSoft system with the Multipexer, to diagnose and clear codes and service intervals it works great...I am hoping they may develop their software further to get more features of a SDS system, for the price you can't go wrong.
02-12-2007, 02:21 AM
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SDS Pitfalls
02-12-2007, 02:33 AM
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Enterprise rent-a-car!!!
If you dont change your car, you dont need the software up date's. (they cause more problems than they fix) I paid $5800.00 for te one we use in the shop, it works great, but the video card is a little slower than the one in the factory tester, but worth the 15K saving.
02-12-2007, 09:51 AM
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Does anyone know what the updates cost and every how often they are released? Also, am I allowed to get them as long as I have a shop? The plan isn't to be shady here, so i don't want to have to "steal" software.
Thanks.
Thanks.
02-12-2007, 01:50 PM
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02-12-2007, 03:22 PM
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go to startekinfo.com and download the SDS lease form. That is the only legal way you can get monthly updates. Aftermarket systems such as carsoft and autologic have limited capabilities. Even with SDS, there is so much you can do. Unless you are using it to code many cars, it's not really worth it IMO. You can't go very detailed into programming.
02-13-2007, 03:08 AM
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some slow@$$diesels
...I bought 3 stardiagnose basics from DC Netherlands a couple of years ago...the machines do NOT come with a manual...I did go to a one-day SDS trainingcourse from DC Netherlands but that wasn't of much use (I had the feeling that I knew more then the instructor did)...the software updates are released 11 times per year (december does not have it's monthly update) and pay 300 euro (400USD) per month for these updates.
I figured I would go for the real deal and pass on all copied systems that don't function as good or that might screw up programming (don't want to risk that)...
the machines themselves were not that expensive at all (the mentioned 20k is way over the top)
greetingz,
I figured I would go for the real deal and pass on all copied systems that don't function as good or that might screw up programming (don't want to risk that)...
the machines themselves were not that expensive at all (the mentioned 20k is way over the top)
greetingz,
02-13-2007, 11:11 AM
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Yeah, I've been seeing many for about $5K. That isn't too bad. As far as a manual, I don't need it. I don't plan on doing anything crazy to my car. I just want to have it for our little STAR parties.
02-13-2007, 04:02 PM
#13
Maybe there's no reason to be concerned, but I would lean towards buying a genuine unit from MB instead of a knock-off unit from Taiwan or Hong Kong as are currently being sold on eBay. Reason? Knowing it has the full functionality as MB intended, with genuine software and interface devices. OTOH, the $5K units are about 60% of the cost of the real McCoy. Just not sure they'll do everything the real MB will.
The one thing I've notice in reading through a bunch of the repair literature, is that many of the procedures detailed in the MB service literature call for the use of the SDS to do this or that at some point during the repair process. Almost makes you not want to do more complex stuff without having the SDS on hand.
Does anyone know if MB still has their J2534 pass through software still available? This would be a less expensive way to go than buying a standalone SDS Basic unit for around $9K.
The one thing I've notice in reading through a bunch of the repair literature, is that many of the procedures detailed in the MB service literature call for the use of the SDS to do this or that at some point during the repair process. Almost makes you not want to do more complex stuff without having the SDS on hand.
Does anyone know if MB still has their J2534 pass through software still available? This would be a less expensive way to go than buying a standalone SDS Basic unit for around $9K.
02-13-2007, 07:37 PM
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steve, the USA price on startekinfo is officially $9,270 for the basic and $20,232 for compact 3. These prices are valid for private shops. Dealers are charged a monthly lease fee. I have used fake systems and they cannot code everything or they give too many errors. There maybe good copies around but i have not seen one yet. The fakes don't come with star diagnose software either. It is assumed you can get it elsewhere.
