Is icarsoft i980 any better than a generic OBD

[jshodgson]

Is the i980 worth the money compared to a generic OBD reader for my 2007 E320? I have 3 generic readers so don’t want another but if it reads the Merc better than the generics then I’ll go for it. Also looked at the MB v2.0 which is more money again.

 

[KillerHERTZ]

Take a look at Carly:

Carly For Mercedes. OBD Scanning/Diagnostic/Reporting Device & App (Alternative to iCarSoft) | Electronics and Audio

Hi Guys, this is my review of the Carly OBD (On-Board Diagnostic) Bluetooth Code reader & phone app. I cover all the features and abilities which this device allows you to do, including fault code reading/clearing, car history & service check with reporting and much more. Can do all which...

forums.mbclub.co.uk

 

[markjay]

A generic OBDII scanner can only access a small number of systems on the car, relating to the engine and transmission only.

The MB-specific OBDII scanners (Carly, iCarsoft, Autel, Launch, etc), can access many other systems, such as ABS, airbags, climate control, central locking, etc etc, and this is in addition to more-detailed diagnostic of the engine and transmission. On a 2007 car the MB-specific scanners should be able to access around 20+ additional systems.

However, a generic OBDII scanner will cost around a tenner, while an MB-specific scanner will cost upwards of £100.

Down to you which one you buy.

 

[jshodgson]

A generic OBDII scanner can only access a small number of systems on the car, relating to the engine and transmission only.

The MB-specific OBDII scanners (Carly, iCarsoft, Autel, Launch, etc), can access many other systems, such as ABS, airbags, climate control, central locking, etc etc, and this is in addition to more-detailed diagnostic of the engine and transmission. On a 2007 car the MB-specific scanners should be able to access around 20+ additional systems.

However, a generic OBDII scanner will cost around a tenner, while an MB-specific scanner will cost upwards of £100.

Down to you which one you buy.

Thanks. I have generic scanners and my car throws up code 401 all the time. The EGR was replaced by an Indy who had it on Star and said that was the fault but the code keeps coming back. He replaced the EGR again but still get the code and sometimes the EML. The car runs fine though. Wanted to know if the icarsoft scanners would help me pinpoint the issue any better than the generic scanners or if they could help to pinpoint when it happens.

 

[Petrol Pete]

I have a generic scanner . Lidl cost about £15 I keep in the glovebox of my Toyota Yaris. It told me the EML on the dashboard was P0420 , a quick search of that generic code will tell you what it is but not why it's there.

Long story short I got bored of cancelling the EML-it passed two MOT with the fault - I plugged in my MB iCarSoft (remember they are not just for MB's) and read the live streams when driving the car . There in front of you on the screen are the traces in real time of whatever sensor you select to interrogate.

After a bit of research based on what I saw live in front of me I saw the Catalyser temp on inlet and outlet did not look right and neither did the voltages coming out of both upstream and downstream O2 sensors. The cat was toast ...not the sensors . A new catalyser at £130 cost less than two O2 sensors which was what the generic fault code was alluding to . Had I not used the iCarSoft I might have ended up changing both sensors and the cat while chasing my tail fault-finding without enough info.

I have said it on here before if yo have a MB of a certain vintage (2006 C55 AMG in my case) a iCarSoft MB2 is a good investment the first time you plug it in it could pay for itself , it has free upgrades (via PC) and there is a market for second hand ones if you no longer need it. other far more sophisticated units are available so the choice is yours .

My iCarsoft lacks some (but not all) of the more complex functions required on newer MB's but suits my car .

Note : forgeries exist, buy only from iCarSoft or from a trusted source used.

 

[W1ghty]

My icarsoft MB2 paid for itself from the off , allowing me to diagnose an actuator issue on the E320cdi , then a headlight level fault , then a gearbox oil temp check when I serviced the box . Also O2 sensor diagnostics.
On the CLK , again gearbox oil temp, then a recent fault with the engine Cam magnets .
God knows what that lot would have cost without icarsoft .

 

[Justintyme]

The problem with modern cars is that they are getting more and more electronically complicated, and need more advanced OBD readers. When I started my MB journey 4 years ago, the i980 was the state of the art. This was followed by the iCarsoft MB 11, and shortly afterwards, the MB V2 and after that the iCarsoft MB CR Pro ( the model I have now) And for me it does the job fine . ( so far, until the next iteration.....) But for sure, any MB owner, who is any way mechanically minded, has to have one as a matter course.

 

[Justintyme]

A generic OBDII scanner can only access a small number of systems on the car, relating to the engine and transmission only.

The MB-specific OBDII scanners (Carly, iCarsoft, Autel, Launch, etc), can access many other systems, such as ABS, airbags, climate control, central locking, etc etc, and this is in addition to more-detailed diagnostic of the engine and transmission. On a 2007 car the MB-specific scanners should be able to access around 20+ additional systems.

However, a generic OBDII scanner will cost around a tenner, while an MB-specific scanner will cost upwards of £100.

Down to you which one you buy.

After investing in the iCarsoft MB11, which I found to do the job, I then went on to buy an iCarsoft MB CR Pro which while primarily MB, can handle many other makes as well. So it suits the Family range of Vehicles,,Skoda Peugeot, VW,Seat and Audi.
But a word of warning, some of us who bought the iCarsoft CR Pro, ( was on group offer ) have had problems with it, There are posts on the subject here if you search.