Just picked up on this thread. I had a 2016 E Class with COMAND NTG 5.1 and the DAB worked perfectly. Just changed car for a 2014 SLK with COMAND 4.5 and the DAB is virtually unusable. The first dealer I took it to said it was a known SLK issue and although they were working on it, there was no fix. Pretty poor response I thought.
So I went to another dealer for a second opinion. They said it required a firmware update, which they did and said all was now good. It was only slightly improved so I took it back. At first the service rep said no more could be done. I insisted that in a car of that value and reputation, that was unacceptable, especially given that my daughters £7000 SEAT worked flawlessly. His response? "I agree sir" He then brought the service manager who seeing I wouldn't be fobbed off gave me the following info.
"The problem is a UK only problem due to the Mercedes DAB operating frequency. The latest NTG (which apparently my E Class had) resolves the issue. The known problem to older versions (at which point I said my car is still within warranty so I don't consider it old!) is a frequency clash with the motorway smartnav software systems."
I insisted they replace both the DAB aerial and amplifier, which they reluctantly have agreed to do although he was at pains to point out that it may not have any effect! Mercedes Germany are aware. I won't be holding my breath!