Diagnostic software for MB

[sasquartch]

Hi all
I've a BMW E39 for abouit 4 years now and am seriously looking to change to a C-Class diesel estate in the interests of getting something more economical and practical.

With the BMW it's been pretty easy to get all the BMW software working on a laptop and a modified sub-10 quid lead of ebay. I can read all the codes and live data I'd ever need for fault finding and maintenence.

However it seems MBs are much harder with the Star software required.

Is it possible to get Star diagnostics at home on a laptop ?

What are the options and alternatives ?

As you can probably gather I know nothing about Mercs (yet) - but I do like to be able to avoid having to go to a dealer for simple things I can fix myself.

Any advice welcomed !

 

[SavMan]

What year Mercedes are you looking? You will need to check what version of STAR you will need based on this.

 

[V12]

Star is expensive for a hobbyist / DIY mechanic.
Minimum £300 upwards if you're patient with ebay etc.
If you buy the complete set with laptop etc, you're looking at well over £500.

There are a few different versions in circulation, but the limiting factor is never the software/hardware but the user and the user's experience.

 

[sasquartch]

I'm looking at cars around 2007-2010.

What makes it so expensive ? Is it the cost of the hardware or the software ?

With the BMW software it's easy to download (INPA and DIS) and the hardware is just a slightly modified vag.com lead that costs next to nothing.

I'm guessing there's a bit more to it with Mercs

 

[Teflonso]

I asked the same question, having come from an Audi/VW VCDS, "everything you want can be accessed" sort of background.

I drew a blank. Equipment is expensive and more importantly, I couldn't find an active forum of MB people who can plug in the tools and understand what the results are. Even if you get the codes, I couldn't finds an equivalent of Ross Tech where it's all laid out and easy to access.

There may be a forum somewhere or maybe a professional website that can tell you what you need. If you find anything, please post it because at present I'm going to be entirely in the hands of main delaers or MB specialists.


.

 

[SavMan]

STAR is expensive both in terms of initial cost and subscription I don't even know if MB will supply to individuals possible only trade.

There are lots of people out there using clones and from what I can see much of the cost is the multiplexer.

STAR itself is easy it really is once you get your head around the menu options it is easy to deal with most day to day issues.

It is not a miracle tool though and if you don't know your way around car electrics or the engine then you won't be able to solve everything.

There are however lots of people on most MB forums that can help with both Star and the issues you are facing.

Now STAR developer mode (which many clones will come with) that's a different thing altogether, start by learning german and don't go changing anything you don't fully understand both what it means as well as what else it could impact.

 

[mersum1es]

Somehow MB has managed to hassle with 'standard' OBDII communication so that generic code readers are not reliable. They are reading only very basic codes but often are not even able to access to transmission on engine modules, or cannot reset 'safety' based codes.

Like said, developer mode is very useful but very deep insight is required (not only german language). Cars older than ca. 2004 can be coded quite well (retrofit stuff etc.), but later model SCN coding has been made more difficult.

I've had my clone over an year now, very satisfied. Cost 300$ + laptop. BTW, serial port is required, adapters are not working well.

 

[grober]

Sad to say Mercedes have gone out of their way to make life difficult for the DIY man or small garage in terms of interrogating their cars' electronic systems. One can only speculate why they would do this.