I have used both the x431 and the Vetronix/Bosch product. The Bosch product in the KTS650 form is over 10 grand and the KTS550 which I used is over 5 grand. The difference is that the 650 is a stand alone rough service laptop type PC device. The 550 is just an interface to be used with ones own laptop.

The price includes some ammount of the yearly subscription to Bosch ESI which currently runs around $1500 a year. Both units are also set-up to be two channel PC oscilliscopes.

When I used the Bosch product, Vetronix was yet to be involved and it would not approach professional standards for servicing MB products, many and various holes. I have ben told by those who would wish I would stay out of this that since Vetronix was bought that their have been 250 people patching the holes and theyhave a real product. That is to be seen.

The x431 takes a totally different approach to diagnostics than Bosch. By reverse engineering they have been able to produce a basically complete product. Bosch will not cover a system untill they have the controller ID and codes for every version. X431 and others approach it systematically.

I have used the x431 on a 99 E430 in a demo and it ran a short test and saw all the modules including DCMs, ESAs, etc. Some were missing functions such as the DCMs only had fault codes, there were no actual values.

The real interesting thing about the x431 is that the price also includes decent coverage on most other European and Asian autos with internet downloads for new releases.

I would say that these tools are not something most enthusiasts will spend for. The Snap-On with improvements to coverage becomes DIY accessable with MBs price or even better with a used price on ebay and a new module.

__________________
Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician