Older Brit and Euro - Launch V431 v+ or Autel MS906BT ?

Hi guys,

I have a little workshop specialising in classic Brit and Euro stuff but find myself increasingly dealing with newer stuff, so really need to get myself a scanner. If I’m going to do it, I may as well make it as worthwhile as possible.

I have borrowed a MS906BT from my trans guy a few times and was really surprised by its depth. He says it gives him much greater functionality than his much more expensive Snap On. I probably don’t need all the functionality it gives, but I like the idea of being able to do ECU coding in the future (can it authorise an unknown engine ECU in a 90s MB?).

In looking around for the best deal, the Launch unit keeps coming up, and it comes with both the 38 and 14 pin MB connector which leads me to believe it might have greater support for MB. Is this the case? Can it perform special dealer level functions on W140 such as switching on/off elements of the convenience vacuum pump etc? I’m having a hard time finding decent literature on it.

Is the only difference between the v and the + the screen size?

I presume in both cases one can keep using it for older stuff once the updates expire?


Thank you.

I don't know that I can answer application specific questions (program X module, toggle Y option). But I have used both scanners on MB and BMW. Both are excellent, and I don't think you'd make a mistake by getting either. Or both!

Your transmission guy ain't kidding - it seems like every single day, I find something Autel/Launch will do that my Snap-On won't.

In day-to-day use, I find the Launch to be faster and more user friendly. Seems noticeably quicker to get a full system scan out of a vehicle? But I've never used a stopwatch, so don't quote me. It has 95% of the actuations/functions/relearns/teach-ins I need, which means there's rarely a need to grab another scanner.

On the other hand, I've found that getting saved data off the Launch is a real hassle. And the scan data graphing is pretty useless. Autel does both better.

If you want to read more, the Launch/Autel debate has been discussed in a couple other threads:

www.scannerdanner.com/forum/diagnostic-t...r-autel-ms906bt.html

www.scannerdanner.com/forum/diagnostic-t...-x431-v-scanner.html

Hey Tyler,

Thanks very much for the reply. So much information made all the more complex by the realisation of the counterfeit and regional problems...

Functionally I am leaning toward the Launch, as it seems to suggest it can do MB OBD1... But on the other hand, when plugged into a 98 C Class (which for aus, did not have OBD2), the Autel was able to bring up codes as detailed as failed heater aux pump.

As I often find myself doing jobs for friends, I'd like to get something which will cover AU Ford and Holden - plenty available on Ebay (either Launch or Autel), but now I'm concerned about authenticity. The authorised dealers which google brings up are all hideously expensive. Might have to do some emailing to parent companies. Its such a rabbit hole - overtired, I came across an Ebay vendor which at a glance appeared as "autelglobal"... sounded legit... went back to it later and it was actually "autelgolobal".

I'll pop in to see Trans Tony with a W140 this week and ask where he acquired his.

Thanks again.

Let us know which direction you end up going.

After my last post, I remembered the small fleet of R170's running around my area. People love these stupid little things. :silly: Only the Autel will work with them - especially the vario roof module.

Dunno if that changes anything for you.

Hi again,

I took the early (1992) W140 to trans Tony this morning. The Autel was able to read two engine codes (but it referred me to service manual for a description; tablet not online), and it was able to list each item known to not function in the PSE pump (right down to a leaky diaphragm for a rear headrest release). This is impressive as the Autel doesn't advertise OBD1 compatibility, and the PSE pump is about as esoteric as it gets. The three wire with LED home made tester does the same job, but its nice not having to count the flashes and then refer to a table. I was hoping that the pump could be programmed as per star (turn various elements on and off), but this wasn't to be.

On the basis of this and your info above, I'm going to go with the Autel. Now to find one for a reasonable price that is legit. The going rate amongst shop front distributors is about au$2750... Ebay au$1800... Tony says he paid about $1800 for his, and that its been updating etc just fine. Is that a good indication of legitimacy?

Are ANY of the Ebay sellers legit?

PS is auteleshop.com legit?

From what I can see for a lot of older Euro cars a lot of the Chinese scantools are built the around the same e core PIDS tables. They all also seem to have a lot of the less used bidirectional functions on menus that don't actually work at least on BMW.. I use Launch because it has wider Euro coverage ie for me it covers MG & Rover and also the Chinese SIAC MG's.