Mercedes Benz Wis Service/repair System - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 11-07-2002, 07:31 PM

I AM TRYING TO FIND OUT EXACTLY WHAT THIS SYSTEM IS, WHAT IT DOES, WHAT YEARS AND MODELS IT COVERS, THE #OF CDS IN THE SYSTEM, HOW THE SCREEN IS LAID OUT(A PICTURE WOULD BE WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS), AND THE HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS. ANY AND ALL INFORMATION WOULD BE GREATLY WELCOMED, ESPECIALLY FROM THOSE WHO OWN IT OR HAVE USED IT. NOTE:I AM ASKING ABOUT THE US VERSION OF THE ABOVE SYSTEM. THANK YOU!

Benzmac · #2 11-07-2002, 08:27 PM

Just call 1-800-for-merc. You can order it right over the phone.

#3 11-07-2002, 08:43 PM

THE STAFF AT THE 1-800# ARE NOT VERY KNOWLEDGEBLE RE: PRE-SALES INFORMATION ABOUT
THE WIS. I WAS HOPEING FOR IN DEPTH INFORMATION FROM
SOMEBODY WHO OWNS IT OR HAS FIRST HAND EXPERIENCE WITH
IT. THANK YOU!

Joe Blowe · #4 11-07-2002, 08:58 PM

HI, COULD YOU TURN YOUR CAPS LOCK OFF. THANK YOU.

riske · #5 11-07-2002, 11:23 PM

DON'T LET JOE PUSH YOU AROUND !.... LEAVE THE CAPS LOCK ON IF YOU WANT TO.

Gilly · #6 11-07-2002, 11:55 PM

Hi. I find the caps lock irritating as well, not to be pushy like that darn Joe guy

.
As a dealer tech I have been using WIS for a long time, since 97 or 98 I guess.
I'm not a real computer wiz though. I know many MB specialist independent techs like Benzmac have it, they are your best resource if you really want to have it, but I understand it's quite expensive.
You really start getting the best use (not the only use though) once you start getting into 202 and 210 chassis and newer. It's a pretty good resource for 124, 126, 129, and 140 also. Not so good on anything much older than this, like 107's and 123 chassis and older. with those you are better of with the Service CD's or books.
The WIS system has good wiring diagrams in them, MB still publishes wiring diagrams for the newer models though, it's a little more user friendly IMHO than on WIS.
I may be mistaken, but I htink you also get StarFinder with a WIS subscription, which is a real nice component locator system for the newer models only.
I believe you need Windows NT to run it, or possibly Windows 95, benzmac would know for sure. i also believe you don't just "buy" WIS but subscribe to it, you get monthly (?) updates.
The dealers all going to this WIS system via the net (NetStar), I believe that outside of the dealer network you need to use the PC based WIS, unkown if folks out of the dealer network will be able to go on to NetStar. (Not saying they won't, I just don't know). Our dealer is still on the PC-based WIS, going onto NetStar in the shop sometime soon.
What you may want to do is call the MB 800# again, but this time just tell them you want to talk to someone about technical literature, i think you'll get someone then who knows more about it.

Gilly

joe p · #7 11-08-2002, 07:37 AM

WIS rocks, once you get the know how to use it however, it's also full of holes prior to 97MY. The intial setup is 2 or 3 CD's and the updates are single discs. You can run it straight off the HDD or stay with the MB metheod and run it off the data CD.

The interface is NT friendly and will supposedly run under win2K but, never seen it on that OS. Is it worth the price....... depends on the amount of later model cars you see and the volume overall, not to mention how 'puter friendly the techs are. All the info is there from 98 on but, you've got the know the MB group system well and know the MB quirks about cataloging info before you get good with it.

I do know it saved our butts a lot when I was doing the dealer thing especially with the mid production run changes in the cars. (ie, 208 window drops for easier closing, showed up 06/01 but, many people who had earlier cars thought theirs did it when new) As you could show the client in writing whe production split information and POOF! end of issue.

Joe

CAPSLOCK------------------------ what caps lock?