I don’t recommend the SnapOn scanners for a first time user. As Mitch mentioned, they have gaps in what data they can access and display, so you end up not having visibility into some things. I have a SnapOn MTG2500 that I like to take for inspections, as it’s easy to use and powered by the car, so I don’t have to worry about getting power (necessary for the SDS.) However, it doesn’t do everything the SDS does, so I lose some visibility with it.
There is a good but very long thread on the SDS clones on the BW R129 forum. You can find a good clone with a laptop, cables and MUX (multiplexer) under $500. If you plan on working on just about any MB from the early 90s through late 2000s (2000-2010/12) the SDS is indispensable. You’ll wonder how you got along without it once you have one. I figure mine has paid for itself many, many times over in time saved and confirmation of diagnoses. -D On Jun 27, 2019, at 9:33 AM, Mitch Haley via Mercedes <mercedes@okiebenz.com> wrote: >> I know several of you guys have SDS clones. Dan I think recommended an old >> SnapOn setup. Autel has a pricey tablet. Icarsoft has a dedicated MB tablet. > > I recommend you find 'Joe's Garage', where Joe is a guy who likes to buy > tools (I can tell you where to go in Bellevue Michigan, but that's about it), > and see if Joe will plug in his fancy scanner, select the appropriate year > and engine size W163 from the menu, and display and clear all the engine and > transmission codes. There's a good chance Joe will do that for a picture of > Jackson (Tubman?) and no paperwork. > > I know a Snap-On Soleus Ultra will link up to the TCU in a 2003 ML and > display all the transmission stuff. > I strongly believe it'll clear all the transmission faults. > But it doesn't do EVERYTHING. For instance, I can clear airbag faults from a > late model GM car, but I can't clear crash data and make the SRS light go > out. The owner of the Ultra says the other Joe down the road has a better > scanner that can clear crash data. > > _______________________________________ > http://www.okiebenz.com > > To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ > > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > > _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
