Gents, thanks much for your replies... much appreciated.

Joe, can you elaborate a bit on the "Baum" scanner... not familiar with it. What can it do that the MT2500 can not? Does anyone make a tool that can get into the car's sub-systems other than the Mercedes HHT and doesn't cost half the U.S. GNP? :-)

Mike, you did exactly what I'm thinking... looks like the basic box is about $450 or so on eBay and the cartridge is another 550 ... so, its about $1,000 to do this... which is why I wanted to check before I leap! If you get a chance to hook it up to a '96-'99 with digital engine controls (ME1.0), I'd like to know what the differences are... or, if that information is in the manual, please let me know...
Did you need anything in addition to the basic box and the cartridge kit?
What are your overall impressions so far? Looks like lots of shops are dumping these because the cartridges are getting out of date and the cost of replacement may be too high... Snap-On must have sold a bunch of them.

Anyone else?

Thanks, KenP