What Xentry DAS Package Does Anyone Recommend?

[shertex]

I could probably be persuaded to drop $600-800 or so and buy a Chinese Xentry DAS system. Can anyone make a recommendation as to which package to buy and from which vendor?

Here's a recommendation from someone over on Benzworld.

Nervous about buying Star diagnostics from China? Look here... - Mercedes-Benz Forum

Whatever I get, I'd want it to be "turn key"....laptop, multiplexer, cables, etc. for both W211 and W210 all as one package.

Thanks.

[dude99]

I got one of the cheaper $300 packages and all I can say is it was definitely not "turn key". I spent the better part of two days troubleshooting and trolling the forums to get it to work.

Also, unless you buy a package with the original IBM thinkpad that the software was meant to run on the soft ware will be run inside a virtual machine and as such will be very slow. Also, if you do go this route buy a dedicated laptop for it and DO NOT Let it connect to your internet/network. Most of these Chinese clones are loaded with malware that if given the opportunity will monitor and infect your network.

Now after getting mine to work it has proved useful, however if I were to do it again I'd seriously look at getting a used Autel Maxidas off eBay. I haven't done a lot of research yet but they seem to be able to do a lot of the adaptation functions and pull oem codes. They also have the benefit of working with other makes of car should you *gasp* ever buy something that isn't mercedes.

I'd be happy to answer any other questions for you.

[MB_FanAddict]

You don't need to spend $600-$800 to get a complete ready to go system that will work on a W210 or W211.

gordysgadgets on eBay has them from time to time. I was going to buy a system from him (only he didn't have any in stock at the time),
but fortunately I found another US eBay seller that had one and it's worked great! My only regret is not purchasing one sooner!

[engatwork]

I've got a MaxiDas system and the only MB I have had to send down the road since owning it are the ones that come in with the key issues.

[shertex]

Originally Posted by engatwork

I've got a MaxiDas system and the only MB I have had to send down the road since owning it are the ones that come in with the key issues.

Will it connect to the 38 pin port on a W210?

[shertex]

Originally Posted by MB_FanAddict

You don't need to spend $600-$800 to get a complete ready to go system that will work on a W210 or W211.

gordysgadgets on eBay has them from time to time. I was going to buy a system from him (only he didn't have any in stock at the time),
but fortunately I found another US eBay seller that had one and it's worked great! My only regret is not purchasing one sooner!

Looks like gordysgadgets has one one available. That's a decent price. In the description, it makes mention of working on most 2000-2012 models. I'm assuming it should work with my 98?

[MB_FanAddict]

Originally Posted by shertex

Looks like gordysgadgets has one one available. That's a decent price. In the description, it makes mention of working on most 2000-2012 models. I'm assuming it should work with my 98?

It is a good price, his systems usually sell in a matter of days (all model years of the W210 are supported).

While the diagnostic capabilities are amazing, I specifically bought mine for changing/enabling a number of vehicle settings and features on my W211. A Star DAS system is the only option for that.

[shertex]

Originally Posted by MB_FanAddict

It is a good price, his systems usually sell in a matter of days (all model years of the W210 are supported).

While the diagnostic capabilities are amazing, I specifically bought mine for changing/enabling a number of vehicle settings and features on my W211. A Star DAS system is the only option for that.

Out of curiosity, what did you change and enable? I have the exact same car as you.

[MB_FanAddict]

Originally Posted by shertex

Out of curiosity, what did you change and enable? I have the exact same car as you.

The list!
(Note: some of these settings require a Star DAS system with developer mode enabled)

-Adjusted rain/light sensor
-Enabled automatic wiper speed reduction (under 5 km/h)
-Adjusted mpg calculator (my first calculations were off, so reset it back to the factory profile for now)
-Enabled date/time display
-Enabled fuel remaining (in gallons) display
-Enabled tire pressure warning system
-Enabled cornering fog lights
-Enabled replacement light function for headlights (appropriate side fog light will be substituted)
-Set tunnel mode closing feature to automatic

ACC Menu (automatic climate control)

-Set A/C to turn off immediately when A/C button is pressed
-Enabled fan speed display in “Auto” mode (disabled on MY05 and later cars)
-Enabled cabin air pressure relief (for easier door closing)
-Disabled Hot Countries setting
-Set defroster vents in auto mode to fixed value (as the humidity sensor was no longer installed on the two zone ACC starting with MY06)

Two things I was interested in enabling (and was not able to), were the adaptive brake lights (brake lights flash under panic braking)
and rain close function (sunroof/windows close automatically when parked if rain is sensed). Unfortunately my rear sam/overhead
control panel do not currently support these features (perhaps they can be updated ). Only refreshed MY07+ W211 cars have
the setting(s) I guess.

[chronometers]

Originally Posted by MB_FanAddict

It is a good price, his systems usually sell in a matter of days (all model years of the W210 are supported).

While the diagnostic capabilities are amazing, I specifically bought mine for changing/enabling a number of vehicle settings and features on my W211. A Star DAS system is the only option for that.

Do tell. A Mercedes Tech at a dealership in CO said that the W211s were great.....you can do all sorts of mods. w/ the star system. Since I didn't have a way top do it, I didn't ask for specifics. Now I'm curious.....

Thanks for the heads up.

Wonder if there are other settings that can be changed? Also, why disable: Hot Countries setting?

Wonder if anyone would be willing to rent theirs out? Anyone near Cleveland or Baltimore that has one of these they'd be willing to show me??

[MB_FanAddict]

Originally Posted by chronometers

Do tell. A Mercedes Tech at a dealership in CO said that the W211s were great.....you can do all sorts of mods. w/ the star system. Since I didn't have a way top do it, I didn't ask for specifics. Now I'm curious.....

Thanks for the heads up. Wonder if anyone would be willing to rent theirs out?

Wonder if there are other settings that can be changed? Also, why disable: Hot Countries setting?

The A/C system only has so much cooling capacity, all the "Hot Countries" setting(s) do is excessively ramp up the engine cooling fan and interior fan with the A/C on. Also, the set temp is adjusted 2-4? degrees lower then displayed giving an illusion of colder air. I did keep the engine fan (separate ACC menu setting) min speed at 40% vs. the standard 25% for better A/C performance when idling or in stop and go traffic though.

Here is Mackhack's Star Diagnosis Modifications list for the E-Class W211/CLS W219:

Air Conditioning:
– Turning on the HVAC to show the fan speed when on Auto
– Enable MAX COOL (Thermotronic only) in display
– Enable RECIRC on at speeds lower than 30 km/h / 8 mph
– Switch to Hot Country for faster cooling
– Enable “Hot Country” Level 2 for more cold air faster
– Change to allow fan speed adjustment on defrost
– Change amount of basic air circulation
– Change setting of outer air circulation position flaps
– Enable AC-OFF setting in combination with defrost and/or auto. Defrost off = AC Off (Default defrost off = AC On)
– Set stationary heater setting to “custom”
– Air circulation without auto switch off

Cluster Instrument:
– Enable fuel tank capacity in cluster display
– Date and time in additional display page
– Activation of navigation and telephone menu after retrofit
– Deactivation seat belt beep and/or seat belt symbol
– Deactivation seat belt pictogram in display
– Activation trailer loss warning
– Change distance co-efficient after changed tire size
– Activation diesel pre-glow pictogram on diesel engine vehicle
– Deactivation of “Please refill” pictogram on facelift models when reaching 1/2 of tank reserve
– Deactivation of engine control lamp
– Activation of engine fault pictogram
– Activation/Deactivation of battery control unit warning pictogram (comfort function level 1)
– Activation/Deactivation pictogram “Power Lock Emergency Unlock Active” after accident/rollover
– Deactivation of particle filter (Diesel vehicles only)
– Activation “Curvmatic” (Navigation/CI tells you verbally/visible that you’re approaching a curve too fast)
– Audio Menu (Station or Frequency change via steering wheel up/down button)
– Activation of “Fold-in Mirror” menu on MY2005 vehicles
– Adjusting of fuel consumption display
– Deactivation “Remove Key” pictogram and/or beep
– Deactivation “Switch Lights Off” pictogram and/or beep
– Deactivation “SOS Warning Message”
– Activation “power spikes pictogram

COMAND NTG1:
– Activation “Curvmatic” (Navigation/CI tells you verbally/visible that you’re approaching a curve too fast)
– Activation of DVD/TV video in motion (ECE COMAND APS NTG1 only)
– Change “Follow up time” of auto shut off time
– AMG boot up logo
– Activation of navigation after retrofit
– Activation of telephone after retrofit
– Software update SW 28/08

Anti-Theft-Alarm:
– Activation after retrofit
– Change of country settings
– Change volume alarm buzzer
– Change volume lock/unlock buzzer
– Change count of beeps when locking
– Change count of beeps when unlocking
– Change count of beeps when locked but one door is incorrectly closed
– Deactivation of interior motion sensor when sunroof closes automatically when it rains

AIRmatic:
– Lowering
– Calibrating if car stands cricket

Lighting:
– Activation of both rear fog lights
– Activation of cornering lights (MY2004 and newer only)
– Change of turn-on instant of low beam at dawn
– Change brightness of foot well lights during driving (Elegance and Avantgarde only)

Sunroof and Doors:
– Activation of memory feature sunroof
– Activation “Sunroof closes automatically when it rains”
– Activation of “Close windows and sunroof” with infrared key
– Recalibration jam guard sunroof

Engine:
– Deactivation of catalytic converter when sports catalytic converter is put in
– Deactivation of second catalytic converter lambda sensor when sports catalytic converter is put in
– Reset of “Mass Average Adaptation Data” on OM642 engines (after Air Filter Replacement)
– Initializing of throttle valve when changed
– Increase MAX SPEED to 160 mph (AMG only)

Miscellaneous:
– Activation of Tire Pressure Loss Warning
– Activation of Euro spec headlights/taillights turn on when unlocking car
– Change volume of Parktronic
– Change interval of headlight cleaning system
– Activation of seat ventilation “Summer Opening” (driver and passenger)
– Recalibration of rain sensor
– Reset SBC brake counter

ESP/Brake:
– Enable SBC-S and SBC-H

AMG Only:
– Designo Sound: Deeper, more aggressive sound from your AMG Engine and Exhaust System

[shertex]

Just ordered one from Gordysgadgets. He has another one for sale if anyone's interested.

[jay_bob]

Originally Posted by MB_FanAddict

You don't need to spend $600-$800 to get a complete ready to go system that will work on a W210 or W211.

gordysgadgets on eBay has them from time to time. I was going to buy a system from him (only he didn't have any in stock at the time),
but fortunately I found another US eBay seller that had one and it's worked great! My only regret is not purchasing one sooner!

Thanks for the link, I just bought it. I have been wanting one of these with 4 MBs in the house but I was leery of sending over $1000 to Hong Kong.

[shertex]

Originally Posted by jay_bob

Thanks for the link, I just bought it. I have been wanting one of these with 4 MBs in the house but I was leery of sending over $1000 to Hong Kong.

Haha...you beat me to to it! Apparently he lists a new one every ten days or so.

Let us know what you think!

[97 SL320]

Dell running XP is another lap top found for the Star system.

A while back I got mine from a guy in the US that buys and sets them up, I don't have his contact info but Craigslist might net some vendors.

Things I've found.

Don't use the lap top for anything other than the Star system if possible. I do have a EEPROM reader program on mine but that program is easily regenerated if needed.

There is some sort of Brazilian malware that some claim is part of the clone hack and others part of a bank number skimming system. In any event, the clone needs to do clone trickery to work.

On the lap top, disable the WI FI and make sure it stays off. I pulled the card from the multiplexer and lap top. The clones will try to call home ( Bosch ) and the system may brick once the mother ship sees a clone.

Let the lap top boot up for a while. Not only does windows need to get settled, the clone SW needs to do it's tricks.

The Star program is locked to the drive it is on, you can make a copy however it won't run unless you can make a new code.

Don't call the support # in the program it is MB / Bosch.

MB / Bosch is really missing out, if they offered the windows HHT ( Hand Held Tester for 80's / late 90's cars ) at reasonable cost they could sell and make a profit.

Last I knew, a supported star was $ 20 K buy in + $ 6 K per year. Yes, there are development costs and the factory does not want to affect the dealer network too much, but there isn't much dealer traffic for 20 year old cars.