How likely is ECU failure?

[JohnnyW202]

HonestJohn says 12+ Year old W202 are suffering ECU failure frequently.

And there's was a C180 (2000) that suffered this at the cost of £1100

Should I be worried..

I was looking on ebay and there was a 1998 C200 breaking, with an ECU for only £95.00 surely I should buy this just for piece of mind.

How easy are they to recode? Is Star required?

Many Thanks.

 

[BlackC55]

They can't be re-coded. New unit or repair at one of the many repair shops out there. New units are only available from MB and they have to code them to the car too. The Engine Control Units are fixed to each car individually so they can't be swapped between vehicles.

 

[nick mercedes]

HonestJohn says 12+ Year old W202 are suffering ECU failure frequently.

And there's was a C180 (2000) that suffered this at the cost of £1100

Should I be worried..

I was looking on ebay and there was a 1998 C200 breaking, with an ECU for only £95.00 surely I should buy this just for piece of mind.

How easy are they to recode? Is Star required?

Many Thanks.

The ECUs on a 1998 are can coded so cannot be used on another car.

I'd not worry about your ECU failing, rust will be a bigger problem...

 

[JohnnyW202]

So MB are effectively scrap from any other car?

I had a VW ECU recoded myself using a £50 VAG-TACHO cable from Ebay.

Also a Ford ECU was re-coded to my Mondeo, when the barrel and steering lock were replaced due to vandalism.

 

[BlackC55]

There is a lot of BS on HJ too

 

[BlackC55]

You can buy them from mb only. About 1k so not too horrific. They have to fit and code them too.

 

[nick mercedes]

So MB are effectively scrap from any other car?

That's the long and short of it.

But don't worry.