cdumitru

I have a 2005 E55 and a 2008 ML, what would be the best diagnostics tool available these days? While I will not attempt any extensive engine out repairs, I would like to have the option of at least running some basic diagnostics on my car. With the E55 having 25k miles on the clock, I see myself keeping it for a long time, love that car.

BoostedAero

With 2 MB's I would think spending the $650-1200 on a SDS/STAR system would be a no brainer...

I have a C3 that was acquired in the $650-700 range... just being able to triage the CEL/fault accurately will keep you from getting bent over by the stealer/indy IMHO

In my repairs it paid for itself immediately and has done so about 3 fold now...

cdumitru

Thank you.

Do you know much about the iCarsoft MB II, would that give me what I need as well?

latemodel21

I have 2 of the Icarsoft MBII units and they are helpful (far better than a generic OBD2 scanner), but they are frustrating as so many of the MB specific codes come up as undefined (so I carry them in 2 of my cars for emergencies, but rarely use them). I have a star tester that I use frequently (best investment IMO).

Hope that helps,
Chris

cdumitru

Thank you Chris, this is what I was looking for! Do you remember where you got your from, or what is the best way to go about it?

latemodel21

I bought my multiplexer and cables (along with 2007 IIRC tester copy on a IBM t30 harddrive) for about $340 shipped 6 years ago and it is still working (knock on wood) I got it from an outfit called "talentcar" but they no longer seem to list Star testers. I have since bought other (newer) software copies (because they are inexpensive and I wanted to outfit spare t30s and a dell630)

HOWEVER, I got lucky ... there are MANY tales of multiplexers that failed or were black listed or such AND, having zero support this can be challenging.

A better option is to get a recommendation from someone who has more current experience of getting one and find someone setting these up (stateside) and pay more (2 to 3 times is still fair for what you get) for a quality set up that comes with some support ( a lot of the stuff on the tester is in German and not always easy to find ... and there is the danger of messing something up on your car if you change some programming (or stumble into the airbag actuations screen )


since the software on these clones is always an unauthorized copy of copy-written material ... you wont find people advertising in the states ...so,

I think if you started a thread "looking for star tester" you might get some messages from someone (or multiple someones) who could help.

Cheers,
Chris