Star Diagnostics - How good ?

[markyboys270]

Simple question really. Unable to find an independent in my neck of the woods to diagnose an engine fault i contacted MB to discuss Star Diagnostics. I was informed that fault codes would be read an then investigations (open ended !) would take place to find the fault.

Am i being foolish to think that Star would pin point the problem. If so then any fault code reader gives an indication of where to start looking and i would be better paying a good mechanic fair rates rather than £106/hr to MB?

 

[jaymanek]

The star is just a much much better tool that takes a lot more of the guesswork out of it.

Code readers are ok for some of the more vanilla problems, but when its something thats not straight forward, you really need star to be able to pinpoint and test out potential therories by using actuations and the guided tests.

Star is the best tool for our cars but an experience mechanic must be using it to make sense of it.

 

[markyboys270]

Thanks, i know MB is the way to go but putting a car to a main dealer is an experience that i've managed to avoid for 30 years so it does'nt sit well, especially when the bill can run to thousands !!
I'll post the damage - all ways round.

 

[jaymanek]

Im sure there must be an indie with star up your way?!

 

[CRASH67]

delaers are like any garage you get good ones and bad ones the reason they expensive is the traing and cost that going to dealers staff and tools.
A Star Machine cost thounsands and are good machines.
The main reason they can pin point all problems it various compants can fail and give simler if not same symtoms.
and ocasionlly a fault can make it look like one part but it turns out to be another parts this due to endless amout of sensors etc of a morden Merceds.

a star machine with detailed information as posible and point the tech down the right root, but exprience can play a part too, if you fault is simler to another customer fault a dealer will detect it quicker.

if your worried about spiraling cost my advice would be book the car for a hours of diagnosis.
with in that hour a good dealer would of been able to one of two things.
They may of pin pointed the problem/s
OR
they may have some idea of what further test would be required and maybe able to qive a estimate on the amount of time need to find the fault.

 

[markyboys270]

Thanks, good straightforward advice, my heads kinda stuck where the sun doesnt shine at the mo ....lol
Cheers.