If you weren't talking about the EPC then what were you talking about? The only thing that is offered for free is the EPC. The EPC+WIS on the other site, has NEVER been free. And MB only made the service manuals for the 201, 124, 107, 126 and 123 cars available for free during the past year or so.

So I am not understanding what you said was once free, and then they wanted to charge you for. The only things that are renewable are the EPC (free or $12/year for the Euro version) or the EPC+WIS (which has varying costs per day/week/year/etc.). I got the sense you were confusing the consumer free EPC with the EPC+WIS, which is intended for shop owners and advanced DIYers who need it.

The WIS is EXTREMELY complex to learn how to use effectively. The EPC is somewhat more manageable, and quite speedy once you get used to it.

So I still am not sure what you were referring to with regard to something being free and then they are now charging for. A lot of people confuse the free EPC with the pay-for-play EPC+WIS, mainly because they are at similar sites and have similar-looking login screens.