iCarsoft versions....which is best for my cars?
- Thread starter ALFAitalia
- Start date
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2007
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- 20,694
- Location
- Portsmouth, Hampshire.
- Car
- E55K SL500 E250X2 Smart44 Brabus Track car E450Cabriolet X350 Pick up
I am a big fan of people doing stuff to their own cars. It teaches you lots and gives you more understanding on how things work. A copy of WIS is a must if you wish to understand how the systems work and the process'.
Diag is another game. Fault codes are not all the info you need. Codes work from logic and nothing else. What we find is that home mechanics (home fiddlers
) tend to have a go at fixing their car just from the fault code and that can work but often does not. We will then get involved an then wade through the mess which in turn is more expensive. Its a daily problem. As a MB specialist we have access to more information than most and all of this info we use to diagnose efficiently and correctly. We use Xentry (online genuine system) with guided and frank excellent tests. WIS, Star Finder, TIPS, multimeter, scope and the best tool by far, 27 years experience. The tools we have to hand help us get to a result faster than most and with accuracy.
I would be looking at the diag too as a bit of fun and to give you a better understanding of how things work and the connection between the systems before you take it to your preferred expert. I am not saying this to gain work, I am saying it to help. If someone has "had a go" it can create difficulties.
I did a side by side comparison with a launch system, and a generic code reader. Both of them did not pull all the codes that were logged. Xentry did.
Diag is getting harder every year as the cars are getting seriously complicated. They can take hours of work even with the equipment we have. 15% of our work is for other garages, that's a good example of how hard it can be.
Diag is another game. Fault codes are not all the info you need. Codes work from logic and nothing else. What we find is that home mechanics (home fiddlers
) tend to have a go at fixing their car just from the fault code and that can work but often does not. We will then get involved an then wade through the mess which in turn is more expensive. Its a daily problem. As a MB specialist we have access to more information than most and all of this info we use to diagnose efficiently and correctly. We use Xentry (online genuine system) with guided and frank excellent tests. WIS, Star Finder, TIPS, multimeter, scope and the best tool by far, 27 years experience. The tools we have to hand help us get to a result faster than most and with accuracy.I would be looking at the diag too as a bit of fun and to give you a better understanding of how things work and the connection between the systems before you take it to your preferred expert. I am not saying this to gain work, I am saying it to help. If someone has "had a go" it can create difficulties.
I did a side by side comparison with a launch system, and a generic code reader. Both of them did not pull all the codes that were logged. Xentry did.
Diag is getting harder every year as the cars are getting seriously complicated. They can take hours of work even with the equipment we have. 15% of our work is for other garages, that's a good example of how hard it can be.
OP
OP
ALFAitalia
MB Enthusiast
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2022
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- 7,583
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- Bognor Regis
- Car
- 2010 Mercedes W212 E Class E350 CDI Sport, 2006 Mercedes W169 A Class A170.
Being ex trade the only stuff I don't/can't do is tyre balancing and paint. I really enjoy it... and unlike a proper business I can spend extra time cleaning and painting stuff while I do the job. And to be frank a lot of so called professional fitters attention to detail is pretty grim. Obviously that does not apply to the businesses on this forum!
If I needed help I'd be going to PCS before the main dealer... they are only about 15 minutes from my work.
If I needed help I'd be going to PCS before the main dealer... they are only about 15 minutes from my work.
MrGreedy
MB Enthusiast
I also have a w212 and the iCarsoft CR Pro V2.0 (this V2.0 is the important bit) won't allow me to reset air filter adaptations when a new filter is installed, and won't allow me to set level sensor when a new one is installed (although it will read the level fine).
The V3.0 versions do allow these things. I've seen on Amazon currently
£260 for the CR Max V3.0
£148 for the MB V3.0
The CR Max, the CR Pro Plus V3.0 and MB V3.0 are all sold out on LJM Car diagnostics website (a genuine official retailer).
Is the CR Max much better than the MB V3.0 (apart from other cars)?
Can I trust Amazon (not a random reseller)?
Plenty of people have asked questions on Amazon about the units being genuine, and the consensus of responses are they seems genuine and they have been updated to latest software via iCarsoft website.
The V3.0 versions do allow these things. I've seen on Amazon currently
£260 for the CR Max V3.0
£148 for the MB V3.0
The CR Max, the CR Pro Plus V3.0 and MB V3.0 are all sold out on LJM Car diagnostics website (a genuine official retailer).
Is the CR Max much better than the MB V3.0 (apart from other cars)?
Can I trust Amazon (not a random reseller)?
Plenty of people have asked questions on Amazon about the units being genuine, and the consensus of responses are they seems genuine and they have been updated to latest software via iCarsoft website.
OneForTheRoad
MB Enthusiast
- Joined
- Apr 20, 2015
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- 7,015
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- uk.
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- 2019 Glc coupe 350d was 2017 e350 c207 .. +65 ford kuga 2.0 cdi zetec awd..
OP
OP
ALFAitalia
MB Enthusiast
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2022
- Messages
- 7,583
- Location
- Bognor Regis
- Car
- 2010 Mercedes W212 E Class E350 CDI Sport, 2006 Mercedes W169 A Class A170.
Air filter adaptation is not needed....it will sort that out itself within a few miles. Since the oil level sensors work I'm guessing you don't need to do that either. I have a V2 because I got it for a good price from a member on here...its more that good enough for what I will use it for....
I have CR Max and Star. Last month the CR Max was busy with one of our Ducato's steering angle sensor faulty. Had one fitted by our then service guy, who apparently can calibrate them off the vehicle 
After three attempts he said can't spend any more time on this, I am not making any money. I had even worse news for him "You aint getting any more of mine "
Plugged the CR Max in and had a look round, tried a recal and failed. The yaw sensors were reset, then the steering angle sensor let me in and job done. It's a bit like when you end up in a stream because you followed the Sat-Nav rather than having a bit of a look round.
Our new Sprinter is under warranty for three years, so we don't expect to have to intervene with Star, but ya never know
plus the CLK is still here .
i
i
After three attempts he said can't spend any more time on this, I am not making any money. I had even worse news for him "You aint getting any more of mine "
Plugged the CR Max in and had a look round, tried a recal and failed. The yaw sensors were reset, then the steering angle sensor let me in and job done. It's a bit like when you end up in a stream because you followed the Sat-Nav rather than having a bit of a look round.
Our new Sprinter is under warranty for three years, so we don't expect to have to intervene with Star, but ya never know
plus the CLK is still here .
i
i
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Supernoodle
Active Member
Ordinarily you can get away without the air mass adaption reset.
If you get a P0101 MAF plausibility fault though, you will need it.
£260 is a good price for the CR max, I paid nearer £350. Upon reflection I wouldn't recommend at £350, but £260 I would, mostly because I use it on Mon MBs though. I guess you're paying for the touchscreen and updates over WiFi.
Someone on here (might be on the other forum) has the Launch CReader, it looks promising.
Unfortunately none of these low end tools are not clear what they support, it's a bit of.a gamble.
If you get a P0101 MAF plausibility fault though, you will need it.
£260 is a good price for the CR max, I paid nearer £350. Upon reflection I wouldn't recommend at £350, but £260 I would, mostly because I use it on Mon MBs though. I guess you're paying for the touchscreen and updates over WiFi.
Someone on here (might be on the other forum) has the Launch CReader, it looks promising.
Unfortunately none of these low end tools are not clear what they support, it's a bit of.a gamble.
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