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Firmware Update or Antenna? (DAB NTG 4.5 A207)

Daddyoftwo

Member
Joined
Jun 8, 2020
Messages
38
Location
UK
Car
E350d A207
Hi

I have a 2012 E Class Cabriolet which I am pretty sure has a NTG 4.5. The DAB reception is unusable - it drops out after after a few seconds / minutes - and I am getting fed up with just listening to Radio 2 on FM after two years. Having looked on the forums I am aware that this was a very common problem.

I understand that's there a firmware update available which was supposed to address this issue. Also there's some suggestion that it also updated the ventilation control which can go a bit haywire when left on Auto on a cold day with the top down - I get really toasty feet if I don't remember to set it all manually).

My questions are:

1. is there anyway of checking whether or not the firmware has been updated myself. The previous two owners didn't take it to main dealers - so I suspect that it hasn't been.

2. if not, do I have to take it to a main dealer? How much are they likely to charge for a check and for an update? Or could it be a local Merc indy - one of whom has the STAR system. I have just had them service the car - but I forgot to ask them about the DAB (and they weren't particularly cheap either although seemed good).

3. if I do pay to get the firmware updated, any thoughts about how likely is this to resolve the issue? There seems to be a bit of mixed opinion on the posts that I have read, but it is a bit confusing as there seems to have been two updates with the first one not working very well.

4. if it doesn't work then presumably I need a new DAB Antenna or is it just the DAB Amplifier ?(I have read that some Mercs had the wrong one fitted originally or configured to the wrong band). Will I need this firmware update even with a new antenna? Should I get the Merc one or can I use an after market one (if so, any recommendations)? Can I fit this myself or am I better off leaving it to the local car audio shop who hopefully know what they are doing and presumably won't charge me much more than the firmware update.

I don't want to spend megabucks on what is an irritation - but an getting fed up of Sara Cox.

Many thanks in advance
 
Last edited:
Hi

I have a 2012 E Class Cabriolet which I am pretty sure has a NTG 4.5. The DAB reception is unusable - it drops out after after a few seconds / minutes - and I am getting fed up with just listening to Radio 2 on FM after two years. Having looked on the forums I am aware that this was a very common problem.

I understand that's there a firmware update available which was supposed to address this issue. Also there's some suggestion that it also updated the ventilation control which can go a bit haywire when left on Auto on a cold day with the top down - I get really toasty feet if I don't remember to set it all manually).

My questions are:

1. is there anyway of checking whether or not the firmware has been updated myself. The previous two owners didn't take it to main dealers - so I suspect that it hasn't been.

2. if not, do I have to take it to a main dealer? How much are they likely to charge for a check and for an update? Or could it be a local Merc indy - one of whom has the STAR system. I have just had them service the car - but I forgot to ask them about the DAB (and they weren't particularly cheap either although seemed good).

3. if I do pay to get the firmware updated, any thoughts about how likely is this to resolve the issue? There seems to be a bit of mixed opinion on the posts that I have read, but it is a bit confusing as there seems to have been two updates with the first one not working very well.

4. if it doesn't work then presumably I need a new DAB Antenna or is it just the DAB Amplifier ?(I have read that some Mercs had the wrong one fitted originally or configured to the wrong band). Will I need this firmware update even with a new antenna? Should I get the Merc one or can I use an after market one (if so, any recommendations)? Can I fit this myself or am I better off leaving it to the local car audio shop who hopefully know what they are doing and presumably won't charge me much more than the firmware update.

I don't want to spend megabucks on what is an irritation - but an getting fed up of Sara Cox.

Many thanks in advance
The firmware fix should resolve the DAB issues. Do you get ‘Device unavailable’ messages?
 
Hi Alfie

That's quick - no don't get Device Unavailable messages that I've noticed. It's more that it drops the signal after a few seconds - sometimes as long as five minutes - and then I think it says something like Network not Found - and then re-finds a station a few minutes later. Just sufficiently annoying to make it unusable unless I am in a really pig-headed mood.

Would I have to take the car into you for an update - I'm in Manchester and have no plans to be around Surrey (sorry) - or can this done remotely? And if so, how much would it cost?
 
Hi Alfie

That's quick - no don't get Device Unavailable messages that I've noticed. It's more that it drops the signal after a few seconds - sometimes as long as five minutes - and then I think it says something like Network not Found - and then re-finds a station a few minutes later. Just sufficiently annoying to make it unusable unless I am in a really pig-headed mood.

Would I have to take the car into you for an update - I'm in Manchester and have no plans to be around Surrey (sorry) - or can this done remotely? And if so, how much would it cost?
Your best bet is to take it into your local Mercedes dealer and ask them to try the firmware update first. See if that fixes it. If not its the antenna amp or the cable from the amp to the DAB tuner.
 
The local MB Dealer won't even give me a price for the firmware update - just £55 for the initial diagnostics. I am awaiting a call back from another one 10 miles away to hopefully get a price from their "parts department". The local Merc Indy says that they can't do it with their STAR machine.

I might give you a call as I am in Southampton beg of Feb although as I am sure that you can understand I would much rather get it done locally if I can - but I do appreciate your being so helpful
 
The local MB Dealer won't even give me a price for the firmware update - just £55 for the initial diagnostics. I am awaiting a call back from another one 10 miles away to hopefully get a price from their "parts department". The local Merc Indy says that they can't do it with their STAR machine.

I might give you a call as I am in Southampton beg of Feb although as I am sure that you can understand I would much rather get it done locally if I can - but I do appreciate your being so helpful
I’ve had success getting the firmware update done free of charge whilst the car is in for a service - the main dealer agreed as it was just needing an update and no coding or interaction they were happy to update the firmware whist the car was being worked on at no charge.

As a result I use that dealer for all servicing and also some repair work.

If you have plans to service via a main dealer maybe try get the firmware update agreed as part of the service. The first couple of dealers may say no or want £120 but eventually a decent dealer should help you out even if at a nominal cost. My dealer was South East so probably no use to you
 
I’ve had success getting the firmware update done free of charge whilst the car is in for a service - the main dealer agreed as it was just needing an update and no coding or interaction they were happy to update the firmware whist the car was being worked on at no charge.

As a result I use that dealer for all servicing and also some repair work.

If you have plans to service via a main dealer maybe try get the firmware update agreed as part of the service. The first couple of dealers may say no or want £120 but eventually a decent dealer should help you out even if at a nominal cost. My dealer was South East so probably no use to you

On a couple of occasions, I had the dealer update the firmware on various bits in the car for a flat cost of half-hour labour while the car was being serviced, which I am more than happy with, but obviously it's a bit of hit-and-miss and varies from one dealer to another.

However, keep in mind that any indie with STAR and subscription can update firmware, and obviously Comand UK can as well.
 
The firmware fix should resolve the DAB issues. Do you get ‘Device unavailable’ messages?
Hi alfie, I may be a bit late for this fred but you mentioned device unavailable which I get when trying to get dab radio I also get cannot revive! Do you know what the problem is?
 
Hi alfie, I may be a bit late for this fred but you mentioned device unavailable which I get when trying to get dab radio I also get cannot revive! Do you know what the problem is?
Yes I do. If you dont get any DAB at all ever, then its a problem with the DAB tuner. If you occasionally get ‘Device unavailable ‘ then the firmware update should resolve that.

Email me your vin number to [email protected] with a brief description.
 
Yes I do. If you dont get any DAB at all ever, then its a problem with the DAB tuner. If you occasionally get ‘Device unavailable ‘ then the firmware update should resolve that.

Email me your vin number to [email protected] with a brief description.

Yes I do. If you dont get any DAB at all ever, then its a problem with the DAB tuner. If you occasionally get ‘Device unavailable ‘ then the firmware update should resolve that.

Email me your vin number to [email protected] with a brief description.
Hi Alfie do you work for comand UK?

I'm only asking as I have sent thdm an email tonight asking about sat nav update and issues with my Dab dropping out..

Mines a 2015 coupe and dab drops out ftom time to time and hasn't had a nav update from new, so guessing firmware hasn't either.
 
Hi Alfie do you work for comand UK?

I'm only asking as I have sent thdm an email tonight asking about sat nav update and issues with my Dab dropping out..

Mines a 2015 coupe and dab drops out ftom time to time and hasn't had a nav update from new, so guessing firmware hasn't either.
Yes I do. Cant say ive seen your email to be honest. We do get an awful lot of emails though. At the time of posting this, all emails have been answered. If you havnt had a reply then our spam filter has picked it up.
 
Can I just ask does anybody know if I was to just buy a DAB module from a breakers whether I could just swap it over. There seems to only be one module code A1669003407 and they're as low as £40 on eBay. Presumably if I get one from a later car then it's more likely to either had the firmware updated or the new version installed from new.

Does anybody know the actual date of the firmware being put on new cars?

Where is the module on the E Class Cabriolet. I've seen people say that it's behind the boot panels on the left hand side normally. But I've peered through the little hatch in my boot for refilling the hydraulic fluid and I can't see it. How do I strip the trim?
 
Can I just ask does anybody know if I was to just buy a DAB module from a breakers whether I could just swap it over. There seems to only be one module code A1669003407 and they're as low as £40 on eBay. Presumably if I get one from a later car then it's more likely to either had the firmware updated or the new version installed from new.

Does anybody know the actual date of the firmware being put on new cars?

Where is the module on the E Class Cabriolet. I've seen people say that it's behind the boot panels on the left hand side normally. But I've peered through the little hatch in my boot for refilling the hydraulic fluid and I can't see it. How do I strip the trim?
Are you close to any of the Sandown group dealers?
Try get them to do it. It’s them I have found reasonable with the updates.
 
Thanks - but they're on the South Coast and I'm in Manchester.
 

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