Visiting Oda Auto, Famous on YouTube

I brought my Mercedes-Benz SL400 (R231 model), which I purchased in August, to Oda Auto.

This is the workshop run by the Kansai dialect-speaking owner known on YouTube for his catchphrase, “Don’t underestimate me!”. Watching his videos, many might find him a bit intimidating at first—I certainly did. Worried about saying the wrong thing and getting scolded, I carefully explained my requests via email and scheduled a visit.

When I met the owner in person, he was quite different from his YouTube persona.

He was extremely gentlemanly, with clear and detailed explanations. He looked younger and softer-spoken than on video. When I asked about coding, he broke down complex technical details in an easy-to-understand way. I sensed a very logical mind, which explains why he runs a workshop strong in computer-related automotive services.

Since the work required an overnight stay, they kindly lent me a loaner car. When I picked up my SL400 the next day and mentioned my blog, “Welcome Home, PORSCHE,” the owner was already familiar with it, and our conversation took off from there.

Why the Idling Stop Feature Is More Harm Than Good

Since buying the SL400, the idling stop feature has been a major concern for me.

This feature is often called “more harm than good,” offering little benefit to drivers. Automakers install it mainly to meet fuel efficiency regulations—it’s essentially a formality. Oda Auto’s YouTube videos provide professional insights, explaining how this system puts extreme strain on the battery. While a typical battery lasts about five years, frequent use of idling stop can degrade it in as little as two years.

Another issue is the stress on the starter motor. The engine stops and starts repeatedly, causing excessive wear and increasing failure rates. This leads to costly battery replacements and shortens the starter motor’s lifespan. Frequent engine stops and starts are also not ideal mechanically.

Surprisingly, many Porsche owners still drive with idling stop enabled in city traffic, which pains me every time I see it.

I personally avoid using idling stop on all my cars, including my Porsches. However, with the SL, even if you turn off idling stop after getting in, switching to Sport or Sport Plus mode reactivates it. The same happens when returning to Normal mode. You have to manually disable it every time you change modes. To fix this hassle, I asked Oda Auto to code the idling stop to remember the “last mode”—meaning it stays off if I turned it off last time.

The Half-Baked Japanese-Spec Daytime Running Lights Problem

Another annoyance was the daytime running lights (DRL).

The 2018 R231 model technically has DRLs, but they’re what I call “pseudo-DRLs.” True DRLs brighten the front lights during the day to improve visibility. However, the Japanese-spec simply turns on the parking lights. Even worse, it also lights up the rear lamps and license plate lights. When I first drove the car after delivery, I thought something was wrong because the parking lights stayed on all day.

After researching, I learned this is standard for Japanese models. The front lights are no brighter than parking lights, so they don’t serve as effective DRLs. Lighting the rear lamps is also unnatural. It’s all half-hearted and defeats the purpose of DRLs. So, I had Oda Auto re-code the system to the European-spec DRL. Now, the front lights shine at 100% brightness, and the rear and license plate lights stay off—exactly how DRLs should work. This improves daytime visibility and gives the car a cleaner look.

Upgrading the Hard Disk Navigation to SSD

The R231’s navigation system uses a hard disk drive (HDD).

HDDs have moving parts, making them vulnerable to vibration and aging, which increases failure risk. I’ve often heard that replacing a factory HDD navigation can cost between 500,000 and 600,000 yen. Using an HDD in a car’s vibration-heavy environment is basically waiting for it to fail.

Oda Auto offers a service to replace the HDD with a solid-state drive (SSD). SSDs have no moving parts, making them more resistant to vibration and less prone to failure. They also boot faster and run more smoothly. After the upgrade, the original HDD was returned to me for backup storage. This means I can restore data from it if needed, providing peace of mind. Switching to SSD reduces the risk of costly repairs and improves overall reliability—a smart preventive measure.

Professional Workmanship at a Fair Price

The work was flawless.

Idling stop last-mode coding, European-spec DRL upgrade, and SSD conversion—all done exactly as I requested. The owner kept me updated during the process, and we tested everything together upon completion. When I picked up the car, I was even seen off properly. His serious and sincere approach was evident throughout.

As for cost, I found it very reasonable. Considering the expertise, equipment, and precise work involved, it’s a fair price. As a technician myself with experience in development and computer settings, I understand the time, effort, and investment required to master these skills. While opinions on price vary, I judged it fair. Given the quality and peace of mind, the value is excellent.

The owner’s tough tone on YouTube likely stems from his professional pride.

Of course, he might be strict with customers who are careless or make unreasonable demands. But if you treat him sincerely, he responds with care and respect. Just be straightforward, and you’ll receive professional service and honest communication in return. Anyone interested in Mercedes-Benz or Porsche coding and maintenance should definitely visit Oda Auto. It’s a place where you can truly experience what being a real professional means.