These "clone" systems are easily available on sites like eBay and also Alibaba.com from hundreds of vendors. As with any Chinese copy of anything,

quality varies and quite often -- but not always -- one gets what they pay for. The recent reduction in price of the MB STAR C3 systems has made even

relatively good quality systems very very affordable for the DIY mechanic and/or MB enthusiast -- providing them with the same diagnostic power as the

dealership mechanic (but not the same level of training and knowledge). Typical options that are available with MB STAR C3 systems available on the

Internet include: an array of cables; a multiplexer; a hard drive containing the MB STAR software package; and instructions on how to set up the system.

The software typically includes: MB Xentry, WIS, EPC, STAR Utilities; EWA net; Star Browser; Star Finder; and a recent MB parts price list (which goes

out of date quickly). Quite a number of vendors also provide Internet support, including the ability to remotely control systems over the Internet (with the

user's permission, of course) to diagnose installation and software problems.