While I probably don’t NEED something so comprehensive, I did buy a late model ex-salvage Mercedes project that’s going to need some diagnostic work and I don’t want to take it to a repair shop every time I need a system scanned. I don’t want a dedicated Mercedes tool either since I also want to be able to work on BMW, VW etc. I have a used Assenmacher Retriever with a VW cartridge bought off Ebay and I don’t want to spend another $1,000 on a Mercedes cartridge especially since they discontinued the whole line and I won’t be able to upgrade. Their new PC Retriever is about $1,000 plus another $1,000 for the Mercedes software plus the price of a laptop or close to $3,000 to do just Mercedes. I can get the Launch for wholesale at around $2,550 and it does most European and Japanese vehicles.

The X-431 is a good tool for the money, if you need software access to a number of different "makes" then this is not a bad investment. Just keep in mind that the tool was developed on a horizontal platform therefore it will be limited on the depth of coverage in any one make of automobile.

In my opinion it is a tolerable investment, and if you “bill labor time” every time you connect to a vehicle.............you'll get your money back in no time.

Does this Ebay auction for a Launch look like a scam?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4623896810&sspagename=ADME%3AB%3AAAQ%3AUK%3A1

1) Looks like just a stock photo
2) Zero feedback seller
3) When I asked about shipping, he said $300 to the U.S.A.

Check out my scanner package. See link below in my signature.

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Current Stable:
01 ML55 AMG
92 500E (a few mods)
87 300E (lots of mods)
00 Chevy 3500HD Diesel Box Truck
68 18' Donzi Marine
06 GT i-Drive7 1.0 Mountain Bike (with GPS!)

PREVIOUSLY OWNED:83 300SD, 87 420SEL, 88 420SEL, 90 420SEL, 86 560SEL, 86 190E 2.3-16V AMG, 94 E320

Does it work on all the body systems like soft top and power windows etc.? How much to upgrade to '02-'05 models?

I'm not exactly sure what it's capable of diagnosing on late model cars. I only used this scanner on my early 90's Mercs. I heard you can download the latest software on the cartrage's but I don't know what that would cost. If your interested you can call Snap On and they would be able to give you answers to your questions.

__________________
Current Stable:
01 ML55 AMG
92 500E (a few mods)
87 300E (lots of mods)
00 Chevy 3500HD Diesel Box Truck
68 18' Donzi Marine
06 GT i-Drive7 1.0 Mountain Bike (with GPS!)

PREVIOUSLY OWNED:83 300SD, 87 420SEL, 88 420SEL, 90 420SEL, 86 560SEL, 86 190E 2.3-16V AMG, 94 E320