Can I upgrade cruise control

[TheAbbot]

I was wondering if it is possible to upgrade my cruise control to Adaptive Cruise Control (DISTRONIC PLUS). I have a 2018 E350 convertible.

Thanks

 

[st13phil]

It used to be possible, but was hugely expensive to do so due to the additional sensors and specialist coding required, but ISTR that @richard (who has more knowledge of these things than almost anyone else) mentioned that Mercedes have removed the ability to modify the car's coding for any of the driver assistance elements.

 

[TheAbbot]

Thanks for the info, perhaps I should contact @richard and see what his thoughts are.

 

[st13phil]

Thanks for the info, perhaps I should contact @richard and see what his thoughts are.

Contact him here:

Catalog

We have the parts you need to upgrade & update your Mercedes In-Car Entertainment Systems. We provide Genuine Mercedes map updates (and map updates for more than just Mercedes), Reversing Camera, Phone & Bluetooth solutions, iPod integration, Sat-Nav retrofit parts and much more for you to...

www.commandonline.co.uk

 

[TheAbbot]

Thanks

 

[Gollom]

Thanks

Please post when you find out the answer as it may help others. Thanks

 

[TheAbbot]

Will Do

 

[TheAbbot]

This is the reply I had from Richard.

I’m afraid it is not - Mercedes dont let us add any codes to the central database that relate to items that can control the vehicle (we assume someone in USA sued them !)

That's the end of that then

 

[st13phil]

This is the reply I had from Richard.

I’m afraid it is not - Mercedes dont let us add any codes to the central database that relate to items that can control the vehicle

Thanks for the confirmation that my recollection was correct.

 

[TheAbbot]

This is the reply from Braybrooks:

Hi Mike

We are unable to retrofit Distronic Cruise Control (adaptive or otherwise) due to the safety critical nature of this product.

Mercedes will not administer this process and our insurance company will not cover us for this type of work without this approval. Whilst technically this is a perfectly feasible task, for safety reasons it is the one task we will NOT take on at any cost. The risks are just too great as in the event of a failure the implications do not bear thinking about.

I’m sorry we cannot help on this occasion but please do bear us in mind for any future retrofits that you may be considering.

[td][/td]

 

[crippo2]

I have a 2007 SL. I installed Distronic. Cost was £500 or so. My Indie calibrated the installation, coded the facility to the car and to the Mercedes Central Database. All done 4 years ago (before getting parts from Europe became much more expensive).
Works well and use it frequently

 

[markjay]

I have a 2007 SL. I installed Distronic. Cost was £500 or so. My Indie calibrated the installation, coded the facility to the car and to the Mercedes Central Database. All done 4 years ago (before getting parts from Europe became much more expensive).
Works well and use it frequently

Nicely done.

I believe that richard confirmed that it was technically possible, but no longer viable because it is now blocked by Mercedes Benz.

 

[crippo2]

Nicely done.

I believe that richard confirmed that it was technically possible, but no longer viable because it is now blocked by Mercedes Benz.

not surprised. The reputational risk is potentially huge, the liability equally great. Easier to say no rather than having a controlled/managed pathway to upgrades such as this
Interestingly the most expensive bit for me was getting hold of a pukka Distronic ready front grill. None in UK or Europe. Finally tracked one down in USA. Equally interesting is that my insurer is perfectly happy about it all.
I suppose if you do it right, jump through all the hoops and add a recognised (safety) upgrade using all the correct parts/help/skills then why not.