Mercedes VCI C6, original or clone?

[Fotom]

Hello!

Due to the fact that the C4 will be banned (or already has been banned) in the latest Xentry versions and most of the new laptops have no LAN/Ethernet ports any more I decided to swap from C4 with LAN connection to a VCI with USB connection.

There would be a possibility for using WLAN or USB to LAN converter, but still it is a C4. Concerning WLAN: I know new devices and computers do have fast WLAN but in this particular case I am very old school, I ever use a hard wired connection. If you ever seen a bricked control unit due to a flash process by WLAN it will stick in your mind forever...

Sure you can modify XENTRY or more precise the toolkit that way so you still can use C4, but on the long term at least I don't see any option in that.

The question was: what model should I take? The alternatives for a C4 are:

1. new Mercedes VCI C6 (that is a Bosch MTS6532 with special Mercedes Firmware and a modified case with Mercedes Branding)
2. used or refurbished Mercedes VCI C6
3. cloned Mercedes VCI C6
4. VXDIAG VCI C6 or SE
5. any J2534 device like OpenPort, Scanmatic2Pro or MDI
6. SuperMBPro M6

There are some more plexer on the market but some are cloned C4 in different cases (like C5) and are out again or come down to VXDIAG devices or J2534 dongles.

My requirements for a plexer is as followed:

- usable with XDOS
- the VCI should work without any additional software or drivers
- administration must be done in the system configurator of Xentry, so in this case it must be done with the VCI manager

So with that requirements I ended up at the clone VCI C6. The original VCI is way too expensive (3000 Euro and up) and at least here in my country not easy to get. Some of the used or refurbed C6 are in an affordable price range (1600 Euro and up) but still very expensive and some without a warranty or possibility to return. The clone VCI C6 (around 450 Dollar) is still a risk because it is almost impossible to return a device to China but the loss of money is a lot less.

Why I have decided against VXDIAG, OpenPort or other options?

I used to have a VXDIAG set and it was not cheaper than other offers but more inconvenient in handling. If you have forgotten to update the license and be somewhere without internet connection but must do anything on a car it is a pain in the ass. So I skipped all of these options. Anyway the VXDIAG never worked with Vediamo or at least I had too less brain to get it work. So that was another argument against any VXDIAG options.

Some ultra low budged systems come around with OpenPort, but that is a J2534 device and only works with PassThru version of Xentry. Maybe I am old school in that case too, but I decided to have a XDOS version, so J2534 devices where no option at all. That skipped MDI or ScanMatic devices as well.

But I have a clone MDI device for Opel and it works with GDSII on a separate laptop very well. It is connected to the internet and I installed MBTools on it, too. With that combination (Dell laptop, MDI device, MBTools) I can use MBTools on any Mercedes, at least so far.

Also I have a SuperMBPro M6, it indicates to be something else than a C4 but in the end in fact it is only a C4 clone. Newer versions seem to be changed but I haven´t checked that any longer due to a brick I bought in the past from them.

My experience with the Clone VCI C6 so far:

The clone is working since a while (3 month) with XDOS Xentry version 9/2023 and is in comparison to the C4 significant faster and as stable as the usual plexer. The original VCI C6 comes with a separate USB WLAN stick. In my case the clone came without a separate stick. It is administrated in the VCI manager of Xentry, no separate drivers or software is needed. When my C6 arrived it didn't work at first, but the seller provided via TeamViewer a new Firmware and it worked since than stable. The only cables that come with it is a 3m USB and an OBD connection cable. There are no other cables to get connected to the old 38 PIN socket or one for Sprinters. So far I have not missed those because there is no car in my range that needs those connections. I am not sure if there is an adapter or other solution to get connected to older cars with the C6. As far as I understand the originally will support older cars, so I expect the clone to support those, too.

The price of the clone VCI C6 is almost the same like a "High" or "Best Quality" C4 and I believe most of the users will end up with that device if they have similar requirements like I do.

So far I can recommend the clone VCI C6. For further questions just ask or write a comment.

 

[Bigovic]

Rade1978 (bravo Rade).

I applaud your decision, finally someone sees the truth. VCX has been available as a fake in original cases for a long time, like VCI C6. Same as GM Tech, Volvo, Mazda, Toyota, Tech2Win and so on.

These are all emulators, not real electronics, and you will encounter many glitches such as actuator connection, DPF regeneration, variant coding, etc.

VCX SE is no better than VCX Nano, yes it is better, you don't need to assemble the original case as before, but for it to work as well as the original or a good clone is just a dream. This is a mega fake from China.

This is good for VCX SE makers, there is a license channel and you always need to update the driver.

We all understand that the guys who say that VCX SE works great are just resellers from China. At this point, you shouldn't trust everyone.
This famous VCX SE is crap, like SM2Pro, Tactrix, Allscanner and all fakes in original cases.

 

[Fotom]

Hello and thank you all for any point of view.

I think we all agree that the original and genuine multiplexer is the best choice to avoid problems when reading fault codes or when coding or flashing any control unit in very expensive cars like Mercedes.

But there are also working options, which, of course, are cheaper than the original.

In the past I have owned a real C4 and several clones or OEM C4 devices. I could not find ANY differences in diagnostics, coding or flashing. The only question was the quality of OEM devices or clones: the cheaper, the worse the speed and stability.

The same problem may occur with new devices. But if we consider different devices, they are available at almost the same prices (excluding special offers). Everyone has their favorite device, and I have one too. Of course. Perhaps it is a matter of personal experience.

So I can correct my statement in the first post and would like to say that the best experience I had was with the C4 and C6 clones obtained from VXDAS. And my favorite device in terms of speed and stability is the TabScan T6 Xentry, which I also ordered from VXDAS.

 

[Bigovic]

Hello, I have been working with Star Diagnosis for 17 years now. I've experienced the time of "HHT", then the RS232 multiplexer, the C3, then the C4, and now we've come to a crossroads – where do we go from here? All these interfaces, whether clones or originals, had one important thing in common: they ONLY used the ORIGINAL interfacedriver of Xentry (and not a Openport 2.0 Driver was emulate the C6 for example).

NOW, IN DETAIL, SO EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS!

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN VXDAS, Passthru, Original XDOS, VCI C6 Fake.

REAL XENTRY/DAS = (XDOS)
1. The true, real interfacesdrivers of Xentry are only implemented through the installation as "XDOS" for passenger cars (from 2024 onwards). This is necessary to ensure maximum access to all control units or modules. Unfortunately, this is increasingly restricted by the required certificates and DOIP vehicles, which, however, has been very well solved by the administrator with the Xentry Commercial version. CURRENTLY, ONLY THE C4 MULTIPLEXER IS STILL AVAILABLE FOR THIS PURPOSE!

PASSTHRU = LIGHT XENTRY VERSION
2. Passthru (J2534 protocol) has been around for 15 years. It's the standard that allows simple workshops to "do something" with vehicles, not just Mercedes but all other vehicles as well. It was first used in the USA in 2000 with the Cardaq interface, in Germany with Multidiag Access, and then other manufacturers like Bosch followed. The BIG PROBLEM is that it doesn't allow access to all actuators, all control units, and programming. You can consider it a light version. If you compare the functions of XDOS and Passthru on the same vehicle, you'll be quite surprised how castrated Passthru is!!!

NOW THE CHINESE - OPENPORT 2.0 (VCXnano, VXDAS, VCX-SE, Tactrix, Allscanner)
3. And here comes the typical Chinese manipulation – fakes! Let's remember: Porsche Piwis, VAS6150, Tech2, Volvo VCADS, Mercedes C6 VCI (2 fake models) – none of these are genuine interfaces, but just similar housings with electronics from the Allscanner family, e.g., like as VCX Nano, to make people believe they are the real interfaces. The special fake is that Allscanner (the VCX fake family) installs a driver and program, e.g., Openport 2.0 for Mercedes Star Diagnosis, WHICH SIMULATES THE C4 OR C6!!! This tricks the software into believing it's a C4 or C6 VCI. And that's exactly where the problem lies – when this happens, only half of the programs work, not all actuators can be controlled, coding and diagnostics are limited, not all vehicles are recognized, and there are issues with modules, etc.

Many also forget that these fake interfaces that require Openport 2.0 now also demand money or they shut down!

Many confuse this with clones. A clone is something different. Here, we cloned the interface 1:1, which was the C3 and the C4 because they used the real Xentry interfacesdriver, and that's CORRECT.

An Allscanner fake with an Openport 2.0 is not a clone, it's a fake for many interfaces – Allscanner (VCXDAS, VXDAS, VCX-SE, VCXnano, etc.).

The new Mercedes VCI C6 for €1500 is not a clone, but an "eCOM clone" in a VCI C6 housing. It's the second fake so far, but with a fake license and it cannot perform DOIP.

I hope everyone understands this now. And if you don't believe it, just try it and continue to think you've found a cheap way to trick Mercedes. Very clever minds are working on solutions – mathematicians and programmers – and to this day, they only have conditional solutions ready. Furthermore, these Openport fakes or VCI C6, which is an eCOM clone, cannot handle DOIP vehicles in Xentry from 2024/2026 onwards.

The only correct solution is still a good C4 and the Xentry Commerce version from here. Everything else will require you to buy it twice!

 

[waxxx]

Yes, I can emphasize this. And if you want the full range, from old to new cars: choose C4 units with DOIP support (mandatory for new cars), also for fast and stable flashing/programming/reflashing of ECUs via DOIP connections, also for some old car models, but for example for some HU units applicable...

 

[Maxtester]

TabScan T6 Xentry also works with the new Xentry.

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