Since I have added to the fleet a couple of cars that have a CEL I think I should purchase a reader.

Any recommendations for a '02 ML55, '98 SLK230 and a '02 E320?

Dan

For about $20, you can get an OBDII to USB adaptor and used computer based software to read OBDII. It will get you a little more then a self contained unit as you'll be able to read live data.

Else, there's a deal from HF which costs under $100 which I have and works pretty well.

__________________
With best regards

Al

Thanks Al. I'll check out HF since my laptop battery is soft. Can't go far from the wall spicket.

BTW, I'm in the market for a W210 E320, sub 100K miles if you run across one. Looked at a few this past week... total junk. Either pimped out, raged out or, "oh I forgot to tell you about the accident"... cars. Only one seemed legit with service records. However, seller is asking almost twice book value.
I did pick up a nice SLK230 though. 68K miles! Unfortunately, the family wont all fit.

Dan

I have the model that preceded this (I bought mine about 5 years ago). CAN & OBD II Professional Scan Tool

It can read live data which is handy diagnosing running issues as it allows you to read what the 02 sensors are doing.

If you like the W210, consider the E420. They only made them for model year 1997. That year had the quad cam 32v M119 engine making 275hp but still getting a solid 20mpg mixed driving and 25mpg on the highway. I've had mine for about 10 years and 130k miles and it's been very reliable.

I like it more then my 02 E55

__________________
With best regards

Al

I'd love a E55 but we are trying to get the wife something that does better than the 17 mpg the ML55 she is currently driving. She's doing 100 miles/day now. Refuses to drive the old W126 SD till I have it repainted. Geez...

I got 23mpg out of the E55 on the run to Centerville last week, but around town 14mpg is the norm. Not bad really if you're used to knocking round in a 560. You're going to like using that scanner. If you have a misfire, it will tell you exactly which cylinder so no more messing around.

The other nice thing about the E420 is that it has only one plug per cylinder and they sit right on top of the cam cover where you can get to them easily.

Is the 911 still around?

__________________
With best regards

Al

The 911 is gone. After the second daughter we felt like it was time for the cabio to go and get a SUV. Sold it and bought the ML55.

Funny you should ask, we pulled up to a white 911 at a red light in the ML yesterday. Wife wasn't too keen on my idea of seeing if the AMG SUV would beat the old 911.

I am no scanner whiz, MB repair whiz etc., but the Actron OBD II Pocketscan, model CP9125 I got from Advance Auto for $60 works great. My 2 cents.