3 year free COMAND Map Updates

[Venomous]

So I decoded my VIN, and got Feature Code - 502 - 3 years of free map updates.

Does that pass to me as the second owner of the car?

 

[AMGeed]

You'll be lucky. You can but ask.

 

[Giantvanman]

So I decoded my VIN, and got Feature Code - 502 - 3 years of free map updates.

Does that pass to me as the second owner of the car?

Yes. It is a commitment by Daimler for three years of free updates for the car, not tied to the owner. I did a thread on this a while back having researched carefully and had it verified by MB UK. Both our SLK and Sl were pre-owned and had map updates on this basis, the former in November at three years old and the latter when we bought it recently.

http://media.daimler.com/dcmedia/0-921-658781-1-1299225-1-0-1-0-0-1-11701-0-0-1-0-0-0-0-0.html

 

[Venomous]

Confirmed with MB Derby - map updates will be done, together with the COMAND update, and seat cover replacements.

 

[adrianlobont]

Hi
What do I have to do in order to get the free update for my 2012 e-class 350 cdi coupe ?
Thanx

 

[markjay]

It should be done automatically by the dealer when the car is next booked for scheduled service.

Said that, it is a good idea to mention this to the dealer in advance, and then to check that it was actually done, because some members here reported that the maps update were skipped.

And obvously make sure that you bring in the car for servicing before the 3 years are up.

 

[aquanaut]

They have not done mine at all in 2 years. Can anyone tell me what is the latest version of maps

 

[Giantvanman]

They have not done mine at all in 2 years. Can anyone tell me what is the latest version of maps

You tend to have to request it otherwise they may only do software updates.

 

[aquanaut]

yeah, have asked. they did a firmware update but left the maps. Both times. The maps DVD on my command aps in my C55 were more up to date than my 2012 C63.

 

[Merc Owner 2B]

Map updates take several hours and often they attach a trickle charger as a flat battery will corrupt the upload. It does appear that most dealers will avoid offering the service unless asked.

At the end of the day though roads don't change that much and where they do, you'll soon get back on track.

 

[markjay]

...At the end of the day though roads don't change that much and where they do, you'll soon get back on track.

Yes, but I noticed that that newer map versions tend to fix errors and mistakes found in the older versions... though some mistakes still persist through five years of updates....

Also, most petrol stations in our area closed over the past 10 years, yet some still show on the latest maps.... they do disappear from the maps eventually, but with 3-4 years delay.

 

[chrisdean]

It should be done automatically by the dealer when the car is next booked for scheduled service.

Said that, it is a good idea to mention this to the dealer in advance, and then to check that it was actually done, because some members here reported that the maps update were skipped.

And obvously make sure that you bring in the car for servicing before the 3 years are up.

There is absolutely no requirement to tie an update in with a service. Whilst that may be beneficial to the dealer the update is a stand alone item which a car less than 3 years old is entitled to unconditionally. My car was updated twice last year. Read your handbook, everything you need to know is in there. Bear in mind the update process can take most of the day.

 

[markjay]

There is absolutely no requirement to tie an update in with a service. Whilst that may be beneficial to the dealer the update is a stand alone item which a car less than 3 years old is entitled to unconditionally. My car was updated twice last year. Read your handbook, everything you need to know is in there. Bear in mind the update process can take most of the day.

This is correct, but when the car is undergoing scheduled servicing the dealer is supposed to carry-out the map updates as part of the service, without being prompted by the customer, and yet many dealers do not adhere to this.

 

[CYPER]

There is absolutely no requirement to tie an update in with a service. Whilst that may be beneficial to the dealer the update is a stand alone item which a car less than 3 years old is entitled to unconditionally. My car was updated twice last year. Read your handbook, everything you need to know is in there. Bear in mind the update process can take most of the day.

This is correct, but when the car is undergoing scheduled servicing the dealer is supposed to carry-out the map updates as part of the service, without being prompted by the customer, and yet many dealers do not adhere to this.

I have contacted Mercedes-Benz Customer Service about this and this is their response:

Thank you for contacting Mercedes-Benz Customer Service.

I am writing further to your recent enquiry regarding Satellite Navigation map updates. You are correct in that we do provide free map updates, for a three year period from the date of registration. However, the map updates are done from Service to Service, i.e. it would be done during the car's annual Service with a Mercedes-Benz Retailer. The map update would not be free-of-charge if done separately to a Service.

As your car was registered on 26th March 2014, if you have your car Serviced with a Mercedes-Benz Retailer before 26th March 2017, then the Retailer will be able to carry out a free-of-charge map update for you. After March 2017, the three year free map update period expires and you would have to pay for this update to be done.

Should you have any further requirements please do not hesitate to contact me or any of my colleagues.

Car Manual says:

Updating at the Mercedes-Benz Service Centre
If an update for your map software is available, you will receive it free of charge at your Mercedes-Benz Service Centre during your vehicle's annual service. You can arrange a separate appointment for this at your Mercedes-Benz Service Centre on request.

Do they mean that this separate appointment will not be free?

Basically how to convince them to update my maps for free?
I have an appointment beginning of March for topping up some gear box fluid (recall), but my service is not due until May.

Can someone message chrisdean as I want to hear how he has done it. I can't message him as I am still a new member.

 

[sirius9]

Depends on each dealership. Depends on how much business u brought them or have with them. They are correct in their statement and can play hard ball. As map update can take up to 3-4 hrs and takes up a space.

 

[CYPER]

Depends on each dealership. Depends on how much business u brought them or have with them. They are correct in their statement and can play hard ball. As map update can take up to 3-4 hrs and takes up a space.

Play hard ball? You buy a £40K car and 2 years later the dealership decides to play hard ball to show how they appreciate you as a customer?

I am more interested in the legal interpretation of the rule - chrisdean says this is not the case and Mercedes Benz says the opposite. Obviously if this is the case then I will live with it and wait till my service is due, but if there is an opportunity to get the updates for free sooner I would go for it.

 

[Doodle]

I am more interested in the legal interpretation of the rule - chrisdean says this is not the case and Mercedes Benz says the opposite.

I suspect the 2 written documents from the people providing the service will probably hold more sway than "someone on a forum said".

 

[sirius9]

Play hard ball? You buy a £40K car and 2 years later the dealership decides to play hard ball to show how they appreciate you as a customer? I am more interested in the legal interpretation of the rule - chrisdean says this is not the case and Mercedes Benz says the opposite. Obviously if this is the case then I will live with it and wait till my service is due, but if there is an opportunity to get the updates for free sooner I would go for it.

I agree that MB aftersales can be lacking most of the times. But hey ho, there are more important things in life than to argue with these people. As long as car drives well.

 

[CYPER]

I suspect the 2 written documents from the people providing the service will probably hold more sway than "someone on a forum said".

Unless someone here has seen another document that states the rules differently :bannana:

Also the maps have never been updated, even though the car has had 2 services so far, so I might try to use this as an argument.Mercedes not being very proactive...

I agree that MB aftersales can be lacking most of the times. But hey ho, there are more important things in life than to argue with these people. As long as car drives well.

True, but that can be said for anything

 

[Doodle]

Unless someone here has seen another document that states the rules differently :bannana:

I wouldn't hold my breath for the evidence.