FYI Exploring the Super MB Star M6+ Diagnostic System

[R129 UK]

Unfortunately, I need to report a disappointing and frustrating experience with China Car Diags.

As per post #20 above in this thread, the initial system I received did not communicate via the 38 pin cable either by USB or WiFi. I returned the unit to a UK address they provided and the postage cost was refunded from my initial payment by PayPal used for purchasing the system.

A new complete system was shipped to me which sadly had exactly the same issue. A number of Teamviewer sessions later and the suggestion from Seven was to ship me a replacement SSD to swap out in the tablet.

The SSD arrived and I switched it in and had the same issue yet again, the system will basically not communicate at all with my car. At this point, Seven began to ask for more and more checks and tests, this is despite the website stating the system would work “out of the box”. I perhaps foolishly agreed to test the system on another newer car with a 16 pin OBD port and this was able to connect but would not perform any diagnostics.

Eventually my insistence to return for a refund was accepted so I paid the 2nd return to UK postage costs myself expecting to be reimbursed when the item was received back complete and in a satisfactory condition by them.

At this point Seven admitted that some customers have reported they cannot connect using HHT-Win and they are producing a new cable to try and resolve!!!

The 2nd system and SSD I returned was delivered back to their UK address and I chased Seven for the refund. Eventually, I only got the remainder of the purchase price refunded and Seven claims customers pay for returns. I protested that the item is faulty and not fit for purpose but I got nowhere so I have now given up and will not be using them again.

TLDR – I bought an M6+ with a tablet from China Car Diags and after more than 10 weeks, 2 systems and 3 different HDDs it won’t work with my 38 pin car and I’m also out $50 for the return postage charges which they won’t refund. I spent many hours testing and supporting Teamviewer sessions as well as repackaging and shipping etc.

 

[gsxr]

CRAP. Well that's not good.

Did you buy the same Panasonic Toughpad tablet that Gerry got?

Did you ask Seven what specific components had changed vs Gerry's kit?

@gerryvz - have you connected your M6+ to your E500 yet, and successfully viewed live data from all modules including EZL? Last I could find was a post from December where you mentioned you were planning to do this in the future.

 

[R129 UK]

Did you buy the same Panasonic Toughpad tablet that Gerry got?

Yes

Did you ask Seven what specific components had changed vs Gerry's kit?

No, based on Gerry’s comprehensive unboxing everything is the same unless something internally is different.

@gerryvz - have you connected your M6+ to your E500 yet, and successfully viewed live data from all modules including EZL? Last I could find was a post from December where you mentioned you were planning to do this in the future.

I messaged Gerry at the weekend to ask exactly this before going “public” but didn’t get a reply so far. I was also waiting for Seven to hopefully step up and refund me the outstanding amount.

I’m just warning others here now to be wary as I got burned.

 

[R129 UK]

I was sent this by Seven earlier today:





It's not going to change my mind to spend more money with them...

@gerryvz did you check your 38 pin functionality?

 

[gsxr]

I wonder what changed. @nocfn received a unit from Seven that worked fine with his E500 and "old hht"... no funky adapter needed. Something is weird here.

 

[gerryvz]

I have not used the M6+ with my E500, no. I will try to take a look at all that tonight, after dinner.

 

[DarkHelmet]

So I am not clear, did they add an adapter to the hardware list for HHT / 38 pin compatibility? or did they just change out the existing one? Without photos of the original attempt, it is hard to tell what they changed.

In any case, I look forward to hearing if this works with hht. So far, it does not look great. I hate to order the old C3/C4, and would rather get something that is faster and a little more "future proof", if that is even possible.

This and the other write ups are great. I am a new owner and the code reader maze is complex. Some of the best info about the code readers is on this forum!

Thanks!

 

[R129 UK]

So I am not clear, did they add an adapter to the hardware list for HHT / 38 pin compatibility? or did they just change out the existing one? Without photos of the original attempt, it is hard to tell what they changed.

In any case, I look forward to hearing if this works with hht. So far, it does not look great. I hate to order the old C3/C4, and would rather get something that is faster and a little more "future proof", if that is even possible.

This and the other write ups are great. I am a new owner and the code reader maze is complex. Some of the best info about the code readers is on this forum!

Thanks!

See below a screenshot and link for the Panasonic tablet system which now includes the adapter mentioned to me by Seven.

Gerry’s unboxing post shows the previous hardware without the adapter for 38 pin communication with HHT-Win.

Super MB Pro M6+ Pro Full Version With V2025.03 SSD Plus Panasonic

Super MB Pro M6+ Pro Full Version DoIP Benz With V2025.03 SSD Plus Panasonic FZ-G1 I5 3rd Generation Tablet 8G, Software All Acitvated Ready to Use, like xentry das epc wis DTS HHT-WIN SDmedia, Tablet Easy to Carry out and Stable for Working

www.chinacardiags.com

 

[DarkHelmet]

Grabbed this image from the Laptop version of the reader. Looks like a simple gender changer. It probably was a bad cable, so they replaced it and had to add the gender changer.. That's my guess anyway.. I wonder if the original cable had all pins connected.

 

[R129 UK]

Grabbed this image from the Laptop version of the reader. Looks like a simple gender changer. It probably was a bad cable, so they replaced it and had to add the gender changer.. That's my guess anyway.. I wonder if the original cable had all pins connected.

View attachment 213596

Yes, I agree it doesn’t appear to have any “tech” included and is probably PCB based due to the 45 way connector.

It still isn’t clear what it is, what it does and why it’s needed but I doubt that will ever be fully known.

I’ve not looked to see if other vendors (assuming there are similar systems out there) have done the same.

EDIT - I have found 2 UK sellers of M6+ multiplexers on eBay and neither show the adapter in their listings. I'm wondering if ChinaCarDiags are supplying all these systems (product details and instructions are identical) and word hasn't got out yet.

Vendor 1:

SUPER MB PRO M6+ Diagnosis Tool Full Package for Mercedes-Benz | eBay UK

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for SUPER MB PRO M6+ Diagnosis Tool Full Package for Mercedes-Benz at the best online prices at eBay UK! Free delivery for many products!

www.ebay.co.uk

Vendor 2:

Pardon our interruption...

 

[gsxr]

I wonder if this is a tablet-specific problem. @nocfn bought the kit with Lenovo laptop in early 2024 (click here) and everything worked correctly with HHT-Win, including the EZL, on his E500. However, the current fix from Seven is supplying an adapter which connects to the MUX... the PC itself shouldn't matter.

@R129 UK - did you test the 38-pin cable supplied by Seven, to see if it had all 38 conductors present? I'm wondering if the "fix" is to supply the "special" 38-pin cable that has all 38 conductors, and that cable has the wrong pinout - which requires a gender bender adapter to plug into the MUX? But... what cable did nocfn receive that works correctly, without an adapter?

 

[R129 UK]

@R129 UK - did you test the 38-pin cable supplied by Seven, to see if it had all 38 conductors present?

No, I didn't test it but I did ask for that specifically in my first message to Seven:

I need HHT-Win and a fully connected 38 pin cable as well as connecting to newer Mercedes Benz cars. I am from the E500 internet forum

 

[DarkHelmet]

I wonder if this is a tablet-specific problem.

The adapter is also pictured on the laptop version on the chinacardiag website now, so I would bet they had to make a cable change because the cable supplier gave them a bad cable, and they probably switched to a known/better vendor but the cable was the incorrect gender on one side, thus the adapter.. Just guessing of course..

@nocfn should request the new green adapter ChinaCarDiags added after he bought it and see what they say. The response would be worth a few laughs. He should also test the cable.

 

[Jlaa]

@R129 UK - if you are committed to getting this to work, and I understand that you have already been through a super frustrating exercise, you should pin out the 38 pin cable and make sure all the conductors are connected properly on both ends.

I went through a similar exercise, buying multiple Chinese C3 and C4 systems and also a CCD C4 system and returning everything and going through super painful AliExpress return procedure and I got gypped every single time…. Until I figured out that the 38 pin cables are rarely manufactured correctly.

It took several months for CCD to find me a 38 pin cable that had all the conductors properly connected. The only way you can tell is to use a VOM meter and test for continuity on both ends of the cable and map it.

Even then, CCD relies on outside vendors for the cables and it seems to me that the industry supplying those cables to vendors like CCD is constantly changing and in flux.

I also have a original Mercedes-Benz 38 pin cable to connect to my Chinese C4 because I know that one is pinned out properly.

Check the pin out of the cable.

 

[R129 UK]

@R129 UK - if you are committed to getting this to work, and I understand that you have already been through a super frustrating exercise, you should pin out the 38 pin cable and make sure all the conductors are connected properly on both ends.

I went through a similar exercise, buying multiple Chinese C3 and C4 systems and also a CCD C4 system and returning everything and going through super painful AliExpress return procedure and I got gypped every single time…. Until I figured out that the 38 pin cables are rarely manufactured correctly.

It took several months for CCD to find me a 38 pin cable that had all the conductors properly connected. The only way you can tell is to use a VOM meter and test for continuity on both ends of the cable and map it.

Even then, CCD relies on outside vendors for the cables and it seems to me that the industry supplying those cables to vendors like CCD is constantly changing and in flux.

I also have a original Mercedes-Benz 38 pin cable to connect to my Chinese C4 because I know that one is pinned out properly.

Check the pin out of the cable.

I have already returned my 2nd system and to be honest, I'm done with them. Really not happy that they refused to refund my postage costs when they admitted their hardware doesn't do what I asked it to be able to do.

I still have a C5 with an SSD laptop (boots and runs super fast etc.) which does EVERYTHING I need for now.

One of the vendors I linked earlier today is someone I have personal experience with, and dealt with fairly recently. So when or if I get a post-2013 MB daily driver, I will look to get an upgraded system or buy a 2nd SSD to use with my current setup.

Also note, their system could barely connect to my 2010 W164 and wouldn't perform any diagnostics so something is very wrong with what they supplied me. I made a big point to Seven that I am not their QC or development department but I'm also acutely aware that this is lost on a Chinese electronics counterfeiting operation.

 

[DarkHelmet]

At the risk of being off-topic, has anyone tried the Genuine MB Xentry? It's called Xentry Diagnosis Light:

FAQ for workshops I B2B Connect 🔗 I Mercedes-Benz

Need help with Mercedes-Benz B2B Connect? ➨ We answer your questions about our products, your workshop account, orders or technical problems

b2bconnect.mercedes-benz.com

XENTRY Diagnosis Lite

Exclusively for independent workshops: Benefit from our special diagnostic solution for the standard PC. Including XENTRY Diagnosis VCI (multiplexer) as interface/translator between vehicle and diagnosis computer.

b2bconnect.mercedes-benz.com

FAQ seems to imply they charge by usage, at least for the first year, though it looks like you get a legit multiplexer.
I wonder if this is the result of the "right to repair bills" that have been floating around various countries.
It doesn't list the cost, and it looks like the lite version is only available for UK and other parts of Europe..
I started to create an account, and it did have a check box for "Personal Use", but I got cold feet after it wanted me to validate my identity using an iPhone app.. I am not in an eligible country..

I am curious about the price. The cost is probably uber high. The updates would be nice for newer cars, but hard to justify it for the older ones.

Edit: Here is an article about the legit MB offerings. Unfortunately, I'm in the wrong country.

Top Dealer Tools Explained - Mercedes Benz

Dave Jones explains the top dealer tools in a series of mini-blogs including the options for Mercedes Benz vehicles.

www.maverickdiagnostics.com

Chinese stuff is still less expensive, but when you factor in the hardware will eventually break (chinese laptop dies for example) the MB offering might be more attractive for those with deeper pockets.. Though the MB light option won't work for pre 2004 cars.. I don't know why MB just doesn't open source the pre 2004 software..

 

[R129 UK]

See this video from an MB indie which covers the costs of an official MB system:

MB Diagnostics content from a UK independent specialist | Off-Topic Discussions

I have posted content from this channel before, this is a very interesting insight into using official MB diagnostics with some interesting case studies. As owners of older Mercs, we are fortunate that we aren't paying $2500 because an LED light is playing up!!! The radiator "blind" or...

www.500eboard.co

From MB, you only lease the equipment AFAIK.

 

[DarkHelmet]

From MB, you only lease the equipment AFAIK.

Looks like MB might have mixed things up recently with the Light version. Click on the link above that says "Top Dealer Tools". The link/blog, which could be wrong, is saying the "XEntry Light" is 1500 euros the first year, and 180 per year after that, plus a 15 euro hourly fee. The first year fee is probably to cover the cost of the official MB VCI, aka multiplexer.

 

[R129 UK]

Looks like MB might have mixed things up recently with the Light version. Click on the link above that says "Top Dealer Tools". The link/blog, which could be wrong, is saying the "XEntry Light" is 1500 euros the first year, and 180 per year after that, plus a 15 euro hourly fee. The first year fee is probably to cover the cost of the official MB VCI, aka multiplexer.

Interesting, thanks.

Their online courses appear pretty good value for 12 months access at £238.80.

Online Automotive Training | Learn at Your Own Pace

Access 30+ online automotive courses, including EV technology, diagnostics, engine management, and more. Study anytime with 12 months of unlimited access.

automotivetraining.info

 

[dreaming.haze]

Hey all - I also decided to splurge and get an M6+ daignostic machine from China Car Diag. Went with the machine that also had the BMW software installed on it due to having a modern BMW along with the classic Mercedes. Sadly been running through similar issues stated above and struggles with regards to connection + initial bootup.

Mine can launch up HTTwin but in a convoluted way. I need to plug in power to M6+ unit through a seperate power source -> plug into the laptop via USB and make sure the unit connects -> then plug into serial / 38 pin cable.

After boot up though it can't communicate with any module at all. Super frustrating which leads to him [7] getting a new cable together for me (likely with all the 38-pins properly connected), but in the meantime he will be sending one of those Serial connection converters my direction to test.

Really wish these would have been more plug and play at the price point they are at.

 

[DarkHelmet]

Mine can launch up HTTwin but in a convoluted way. I need to plug in power to M6+ unit through a seperate power source -> plug into the laptop via USB and make sure the unit connects -> then plug into serial / 38 pin cable.

After boot up though it can't communicate with any module at all. Super frustrating which leads to him [7] getting a new cable together for me (likely with all the 38-pins properly connected), but in the meantime he will be sending one of those Serial connection converters my direction to test.

Looking at the image of the green adapter a second time, I've determined I was initially wrong, it looks like it maintains the gender of the cable, it must be remapping the pins. Do you happen to have a volt meter or continuity tester available? I am wonder if they connected all the pins in the cable they supplied. My guess is they did, and they just need to remap them for the older hhtwin...

 

[dreaming.haze]

Looking at the image of the green adapter a second time, I've determined I was initially wrong, it looks like it maintains the gender of the cable, it must be remapping the pins. Do you happen to have a volt meter or continuity tester available? I am wonder if they connected all the pins in the cable they supplied. My guess is they did, and they just need to remap them for the older hhtwin...

That was/is my plan, do a continuity test across each pin-out similar to what @Jlaa did when having struggles with his cable. Likely will spell out the same issues already expressed, but more wood for the fire if anything.

 

[R129 UK]

Hey all - I also decided to splurge and get an M6+ daignostic machine from China Car Diag. Went with the machine that also had the BMW software installed on it due to having a modern BMW along with the classic Mercedes. Sadly been running through similar issues stated above and struggles with regards to connection + initial bootup.

Mine can launch up HTTwin but in a convoluted way. I need to plug in power to M6+ unit through a seperate power source -> plug into the laptop via USB and make sure the unit connects -> then plug into serial / 38 pin cable.

After boot up though it can't communicate with any module at all. Super frustrating which leads to him [7] getting a new cable together for me (likely with all the 38-pins properly connected), but in the meantime he will be sending one of those Serial connection converters my direction to test.

Really wish these would have been more plug and play at the price point they are at.

Thanks for sharing your similar (frustrating) experiences.

Have you been in contact with Seven to get as far as you have or are you muddling along on your own trying to make it work?

 

[Jlaa]

Looking at the image of the green adapter a second time, I've determined I was initially wrong, it looks like it maintains the gender of the cable, it must be remapping the pins. Do you happen to have a volt meter or continuity tester available? I am wonder if they connected all the pins in the cable they supplied. My guess is they did, and they just need to remap them for the older hhtwin...

Just something to consider - a pin re-mapper might work if all 38 conductors are present. However if less than 38 conductors exist on the cable then ….

 

[gerryvz]

It appears that @The Emperor and @DarkHelmet have teamed up to gum up the Super Star M6+ works for everyone.....

 

[DarkHelmet]

It appears that @The Emperor and @DarkHelmet have teamed up to gum up the Super Star M6+ works for everyone.....

Not sure how to take that.. I did not intend to gum up the works.. If my posts are unwelcome I can just lurk ? I don't know who the "emperor" is, as I am a new user, just interested in getting some kind of code reader for a newly acquired Mercedes.

 

[gsxr]

I want to know what special sauce Louis applied to get a fully-functional HHT-Win system that works fine on his 036!

 

[gsxr]

Not sure how to take that.. I did not intend to gum up the works.. If my posts are unwelcome I can just lurk ? I don't know who the "emperor" is, as I am a new user, just interested in getting some kind of code reader for a newly acquired Mercedes.

What year / model is your newly acquired Mercedes?

 

[gerryvz]

Not sure how to take that.. I did not intend to gum up the works.. If my posts are unwelcome I can just lurk ? I don't know who the "emperor" is, as I am a new user, just interested in getting some kind of code reader for a newly acquired Mercedes.

LoL!! It's a very long-running inside forum joke relating to Star Wars . Your posts are 100% welcome! Don't mind The Emperor, he's just a forum pest.

We used to also have a member (sadly he passed away some years ago) named Clark, who was an ex-Mercedes dealer tech and he called himself "Clark Vader" and had a similar avatar as you. Unfortunately The Emperor couldn't save him even by using the Force powers.

 

[DarkHelmet]

What year / model is your newly acquired Mercedes?

It is a 2002 SL500 I inherited from a family member who is no longer able to drive. It has been sitting for 10 years in storage. Currently having the gas tank and injectors replaced due to sludge and rust in the tank. Also has a rust problem as visible under the car, which I was told by a restorer friend that it was not major (to me it is a concern) and he offered to help restore it (well, to mitigate the rust after the Mercedes specific shop gets the car working again). Fuel line is also rusted (exterior), and I will need to find someone to "fit and form" it as they no longer sell one pre-bent. There is also a key issue, 1/3 of the time I am not able to pull it out after shutting the ignition off. I am sure there will be more issues.. But I kinda like the car so I decided since it was free, I would try to restore it.

Right now, I have been focused on getting a code reader for it, so when I get it back from the mechanic next month, I can watch it and of course replace the hydraulic soft top lifters myself and the other issues that arise.

 

[DarkHelmet]

LoL!! It's a very long-running inside forum joke relating to Star Wars . Your posts are 100% welcome! Don't mind The Emperor, he's just a forum pest.

We used to also have a member (sadly he passed away some years ago) named Clark, who was an ex-Mercedes dealer tech and he called himself "Clark Vader" and had a similar avatar as you. Unfortunately The Emperor couldn't save him even by using the Force powers.

Ahh.. I see... But for the record, Dark Helmet is technically Space Balls. I just want to make that clear, as I would hate to insult someone well versed in the force. I may need to change my avatar if someone calls me on it.

Dark Helmet

―Dark Helmet expressing anger at a Spaceball.[src] Dark Helmet was a villainous Spaceball who possessed the The Downside of the Schwartz and assisted President Skroob in gathering more air for Planet Spaceball. On one occasion, he boarded Spaceball I, then used the Schwartz on Sergeant Rico by...

spaceballs.fandom.com

 

[gsxr]

2002 SL500 should have an OBD-2 port allowing viewing fault codes and data from certain systems, primarily the ECU. However for full access to all the individual systems on the R129, you will need SDS with HHT-Win support via the 38-pin diagnostic port. OBD-2 doesn't talk to all of the little subsystems. I'm not sure how many (if any) systems on that year will support analog hand-held blink codes.

Forum Jedi master @JC220 posted some photos showing how to custom bend a new fuel line to match the old one, search for details on that. You'll also need an ISO metric bubble-flare tool. Hopefully you have more than 1 key, the keys are NLA from the dealer, AFAIK. But yeah, for free, I'd totally try to get it back on the road.

 

[JC220]

If you also search my old posts there is a way to clone / make used key fobs match an older W140 etc car. My C140 bricked it's main key control module. Mb said the parts were NLA / Goodbye. Car scrap.

We were able to de solder and reprogramme a used key module, a spare engine ecu and spare keys all of which work flawlessly in my C140 and got it back on the road. I have spare parts all sitting which are plug and play incase it happens again in the future.

 

[R129 UK]

2002 SL500 should have an OBD-2 port allowing viewing fault codes and data from certain systems, primarily the ECU. However for full access to all the individual systems on the R129, you will need SDS with HHT-Win support via the 38-pin diagnostic port. OBD-2 doesn't talk to all of the little subsystems. I'm not sure how many (if any) systems on that year will support analog hand-held blink codes.

Does that year have both 38 pin and a 16 pin OBD port? I think it does but I have no experience of how much is possible with the 16 pin connector on later cars.

As well as my SDS, I also have an iCarsoft which can communicate with (I think) ~6 or 7 modules including the RST (Roadster Soft Top) one.

@DarkHelmet if you decide to go down the iCarsoft route, you MUST buy the iCarsoft 38 to 16 pin adapter which is a red / orange colour. There are other 38 to 16 pin adapters available (usually all black coloured) but they do not work. Also, buy a 16 pin extension cable and you can sit in the car while reading the codes etc. rather than hunching over the engine bay.

 

[R129 UK]

It is a 2002 SL500 I inherited from a family member who is no longer able to drive. It has been sitting for 10 years in storage. Currently having the gas tank and injectors replaced due to sludge and rust in the tank. Also has a rust problem as visible under the car, which I was told by a restorer friend that it was not major (to me it is a concern) and he offered to help restore it (well, to mitigate the rust after the Mercedes specific shop gets the car working again). Fuel line is also rusted (exterior), and I will need to find someone to "fit and form" it as they no longer sell one pre-bent. There is also a key issue, 1/3 of the time I am not able to pull it out after shutting the ignition off. I am sure there will be more issues.. But I kinda like the car so I decided since it was free, I would try to restore it.

Right now, I have been focused on getting a code reader for it, so when I get it back from the mechanic next month, I can watch it and of course replace the hydraulic soft top lifters myself and the other issues that arise.

How many keys do you have and do they all suffer the same issue?

 

[R129 UK]

I have not used the M6+ with my E500, no. I will try to take a look at all that tonight, after dinner.

Any update from you Gerry? It appears my issue is not isolated to just the system I received albeit sometime after yours.

 

[R129 UK]

LoL!! It's a very long-running inside forum joke relating to Star Wars . Your posts are 100% welcome! Don't mind The Emperor, he's just a forum pest.

We used to also have a member (sadly he passed away some years ago) named Clark, who was an ex-Mercedes dealer tech and he called himself "Clark Vader" and had a similar avatar as you. Unfortunately The Emperor couldn't save him even by using the Force powers.

I had wondered about this as it went over my head too!!

#neverseenstarwars

 

[gerryvz]

Any update from you Gerry? It appears my issue is not isolated to just the system I received albeit sometime after yours.

I didn't get to it before I had to bail for a translatlantic flight to Heathrow. I won't be back home until Friday night this week.

 

[gsxr]

#neverseenstarwars

^^^

 

[gerryvz]

Ahh.. I see... But for the record, Dark Helmet is technically Space Balls. I just want to make that clear, as I would hate to insult someone well versed in the force. I may need to change my avatar if someone calls me on it.

Dark Helmet

―Dark Helmet expressing anger at a Spaceball.[src] Dark Helmet was a villainous Spaceball who possessed the The Downside of the Schwartz and assisted President Skroob in gathering more air for Planet Spaceball. On one occasion, he boarded Spaceball I, then used the Schwartz on Sergeant Rico by...

spaceballs.fandom.com

The Force does tend to be strong here. @The Emperor has been known to force-choke and eliminate people from the forum who get out of line. Despite the admins banning him several times, his Force powers seem to reverse banning actions in the forum software, and he just comes back again.

When you have a forum that has run as long as this one has (16+ continuous years) there tend to be a culture and inside jokes that develop over time. There is a personality who does critiques of some cars that come up for auction. There's another slang term (based on the name of a Dutch member who sold his car years ago) used when someone is forgetful. And then there is the famous "Yoink," which doesn't seem to happen as much anymore as it used to. That sort of thing.

Example references:

• @cascade
• 
• 

 

[R129 UK]

I didn't get to it before I had to bail for a translatlantic flight to Heathrow. I won't be back home until Friday night this week.

Welcome to the UK Gerry!!



I see you are getting in early:

Keir Starmer promises migration drop as he unveils plans for 'tighter' visa rules

Plans to ban the recruitment of care workers from overseas are among efforts to curb near record net migration.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[R129 UK]

^^^

 

[gerryvz]

Welcome to the UK Gerry!!

View attachment 213633

I see you are getting in early:

Keir Starmer promises migration drop as he unveils plans for 'tighter' visa rules

Plans to ban the recruitment of care workers from overseas are among efforts to curb near record net migration.

www.bbc.co.uk

I got a UK travel permit weeks ago, that's a new thing. It's good for two years and allows me to stay in the UK for up to six months at a time. No way I could make it here that long -- the MB parts prices here are far too high for me to be able to stay solvent.

Right now I'm just plotting how I'm going to get back into central London after today's quite smashing Tube power outage.
This was me last night in Hammersmith, West London, having beers cider and dinner with an old friend at my favorite pub on the Thames.

 

[R129 UK]

I got a UK travel permit weeks ago, that's a new thing. It's good for two years and allows me to stay in the UK for up to six months at a time. No way I could make it here that long -- the MB parts prices here are far too high for me to be able to stay solvent.

Right now I'm just plotting how I'm going to get back into central London after today's quite smashing Tube power outage.
This was me last night in Hammersmith, West London, having beers cider and dinner with an old friend at my favorite pub on the Thames.
View attachment 213636 View attachment 213635

You did well to plan your trip to coincide with the 2 days of UK Summer weather this year

That looks like London Pride, I bet that set you back nearly the price of an F8DC4 over here!!

Enjoy your trip and safe travels.

 

[DarkHelmet]

How many keys do you have and do they all suffer the same issue?

One key only, and the fob is falling apart.. I had the car for a very short amount of time before I delivered it to the shop for repairs and only used the physical key, electronic part of the fob was in bad shape. I saw LACarTech still sells the a fob for this model car, it looks like it can be recoded if I have a working key. If I can get the electric part of the fob working, I am hopeful I can get 2 more, and I might even be able to buy just the plastic case and replace it. But I worry about the inability to remove the key from the ignition. I fear it might be the lock/cylinder.

2002 SL500 should have an OBD-2 port allowing viewing fault codes and data from certain systems, primarily the ECU. However for full access to all the individual systems on the R129, you will need SDS with HHT-Win support via the 38-pin diagnostic port. OBD-2 doesn't talk to all of the little subsystems. I'm not sure how many (if any) systems on that year will support analog hand-held blink codes.

Ya, if I have to pay for something, I would rather get the full access from the start, so that's why the interest in Xentry/DAS/HHTWin, etc.

Forum Jedi master @JC220 posted some photos showing how to custom bend a new fuel line to match the old one, search for details on that. You'll also need an ISO metric bubble-flare tool.

Thanks, that is something I will need to know about. I also need to find out the inner and outer diameter of the fuel line so i can purchase the right tubing.

If you also search my old posts there is a way to clone / make used key fobs match an older W140 etc car. My C140 bricked it's main key control module. Mb said the parts were NLA / Goodbye. Car scrap.

We were able to de solder and reprogramme a used key module, a spare engine ecu and spare keys all of which work flawlessly in my C140 and got it back on the road. I have spare parts all sitting which are plug and play incase it happens again in the future.

Any posts about replacing the lock cylinder itself? I suspect it would be difficult. Hopefully I won't need to.

Does that year have both 38 pin and a 16 pin OBD port? I think it does but I have no experience of how much is possible with the 16 pin connector on later cars.

No clue, car still in the shop, for another month.

@DarkHelmet if you decide to go down the iCarsoft route, you MUST buy the iCarsoft 38 to 16 pin adapter which is a red / orange colour. There are other 38 to 16 pin adapters available (usually all black coloured) but they do not work. Also, buy a 16 pin extension cable and you can sit in the car while reading the codes etc. rather than hunching over the engine bay.

Good to know, but right now, if I get anything I am planning to get Xentry/DAS/HHTWin

How many keys do you have and do they all suffer the same issue?

One key. The problem concerns me.

 

[gerryvz]

You did well to plan your trip to coincide with the 2 days of UK Summer weather this year

That looks like London Pride, I bet that set you back nearly the price of an F8DC4 over here!!

Enjoy your trip and safe travels.

Indeed! Only a few hundred meters down-river from the source -- the Fuller Smith & Turner brewery in Chiswick. Can't get any fresher than that. And yes, The Dove (where I was) is a Fullers tied house....

 

[R129 UK]

One key only, and the fob is falling apart.. I had the car for a very short amount of time before I delivered it to the shop for repairs and only used the physical key, electronic part of the fob was in bad shape. I saw LACarTech still sells the a fob for this model car, it looks like it can be recoded if I have a working key. If I can get the electric part of the fob working, I am hopeful I can get 2 more, and I might even be able to buy just the plastic case and replace it. But I worry about the inability to remove the key from the ignition. I fear it might be the lock/cylinder.

I got a local-ish guy to make a completely new key for my '98 car from a working key. I visited him and it took about 30 mins.

A friend posted his only key also for a '98 and got the same service through the post.

Hopefully all is not lost for you.

I understand about going for a dealer level diagnostic, it is a sound investment imo. Maybe try FBMP there are quite a few available in my local area at not too high prices.

 

[felipewdb]

Good morning gentlemen. This text will be long but I think it's worth to read.

My name is Felipe, this is my first post on this forum. Sadly I don't have a 500E, just a 1995 C280 Elegance, and I came to this forum through this thread. I was seeking for a C4 doip or some equivalent and I needed a trusted seller among all the Chinese sellers out there. So, I landed to this thread. I saw the good experience that Gerry had with China Car Diags and contacted Seven.

Unfortunately, my experience was not the same. At first, Seven was extremely helpful and answered all my questions, I wanted the M6+ not just for my car, I'm also starting a Mercedes repair shop in my house here in Paraguay. All questions answered, I purchase the version with the tablet. After about two weeks, the equipment arrived and after charging the tablet, I went for a test in my C280. The tablet had all the programs (although some of them were not configured and HHT Win wasn't even starting) and the multiplexer turned on when connected to my car but they wasn't talking to each other. I contacted Seven and we agreed to do a TeamViewer session in order to try to fix it. In the first he entered the tablet and for about two hours didn't do anything nor said anything. When I asked, he said that the engineer could not take a look this day and asked to another session two days later. Ok, two days later there I was again in a TeamViewer session. Again, no results, he spent some hours with no answer and no movements on the system (two days without seelp, I'm 11 hours behind China). Again, when asked, he said that I had to sent the equipment back. When I questioned him about a return and refund (as states they website) he asked if I would try a new SSD. But I had to pay for the new SSD!! I would have to pay to fix a defective product! He was "kind" enough to make half of the price, "just" 40 dollars (later, he said 30 dollars). And I don't even counting the import taxes and DHL fees for this SSD enter in Paraguay.

So, now I want the return and refund. He tried to put several difficulties, asked me to wait some days (the Paypal dispute time would be due if I waited). So, I opened a Paypal dispute. Seven told me to cancel the dispute because they would refund me after the product arrived in China, but the trust was gone. I keep the Paypal dispute to the end. In the end, I spent about US$ 320,00 to send the equipment back to China (beside, I already have paid about US$ 300 in import taxes and DHL fees when equipment arrived to me). Resuming, I have no equipment and spent more than US$ 300 to get back my US$ 779. I was waiting all this to be resolved to write this text.

What do I want with this huge text? To alert you guys who will deal with this vendor. Maybe your experience will be as good as Gerry's. Maybe will be as bad as mine. But do your homework and before purchase anything, be very clear with would happen if the product doesn't arrive, or if it have problems like mine had.

 

[R129 UK]

Maybe your experience will be as good as Gerry's. Maybe will be as bad as mine.

Thanks Felipe for taking the time to join us here and write about your experience.

@gerryvz has not actually tried to use his M6+ with his E500 so we don't know if he has a "good" system or not.

I'm very tempted to send Seven a link to this thread but I will wait until we hear more from other people and their experiences.

I'm sorry to hear you had to pay import duties etc. I was lucky and the purchase price was the total amount with no "extras".

 

[Jlaa]

Ugh what a mess!