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- 13,573
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- North Oxfordshire
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- His - Denim Blue A220 AMG Line Premium / Hers - Obsidian Black R172 SLK55
Are there any particular issues you're wanting solved?
The reason I ask is that some "upgrades" introduce new "features" (i.e. problems) that weren't present before the "upgrade".
By way of an example, when I had my 2008 W204 it would start up in whatever mode the gearbox had last been used in, i.e. Comfort or Sport. Then it had a software update applied to improve gear shifting and after that it defaulted to Comfort mode at every start up, regardless of the mode it was last used in. Not a problem as such, but an illustration that sometimes not all the things that are fixed were things you wanted fixing.
The reason I ask is that some "upgrades" introduce new "features" (i.e. problems) that weren't present before the "upgrade".
By way of an example, when I had my 2008 W204 it would start up in whatever mode the gearbox had last been used in, i.e. Comfort or Sport. Then it had a software update applied to improve gear shifting and after that it defaulted to Comfort mode at every start up, regardless of the mode it was last used in. Not a problem as such, but an illustration that sometimes not all the things that are fixed were things you wanted fixing.
- Joined
- May 5, 2004
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- 8,450
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- Surrey/Cotswolds
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- W169 A, W205 C, R172 SLC, W447 vantastic
About once per year I do a firmware update on every single control unit in my car. From instrument cluster, comand, MI, DAB, ECU, Gearbox, etc etc.
damientay677
New Member
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2015
- Messages
- 2
- Car
- W212 estate
Hi, im driving a 2010 Mercedes W212 - Eclass, anywhere to buy a system to update the firmware ?
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Mercedes Benz UK. Call them and talk to 'UK Workshop Systems'. You need to have a genuine Xentry system (and not a clone or some aftermarket diagnosis system) because you need (a) An ONLINE system and an aftersales login with access to flash/SCN coding. (b) the current firmware disk (which you get sent as part of the software update process when you have a genuine maintained system)
- All online access and updates is logged against the vehicle's datacard record in VeDOK too (which is why the aftersales login is needed)
Be ready to spend many many thousands of pounds.
Richard
PS, you need to be a UK entity to order this from MB UK. If you are in Europe or USA/Canada, talk to your the equivalent in your country. I don't know about the rest of the world.
- Joined
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- 65 Plate E350 CDI Convertible, 2006 CLS 55 AMG, 1997 C230K, 1999 C43/55 AMG
Depends on how many control units need updating, IIRC I was charged a £37 to plug it in run a short test and find out how many units need updating, then 20 mins per unit which needed updating, that was with a suitably equipped independent garage.
Theres loads of Mercedes dealers who set their own pricing. There are a bunch of independents (us included) that can do this
£37 for a quick test is good value (especially in any area with expensive property (i.e rent and rates) but you need someone decent to interpret the results and do further diagnosis (i.e a quicktest can tell you very little if there is a real fault, if its just to see what is happening then thats OK)
Also, firmware updates always risks control unit failure (if there is an issue with flash) so it always carries risk for the customer unless vehicle is under warranty - this means that everyone hates updating firmware. Also, most garages don't seem to have a proper charger/stabiliser that can provide about 14 volts at lots of current, and if you flash any ECU without one you are asking for big trouble.
Cheers
Richard
No it doesn't contravene that, it complies with it.
I've posted below 2how you can buy genuine diagnosis equipment. It makes no sense to buy it unless you are a business though. !
If you let anyone update their firmware (using a cheap PC or such like) you'd end up with a lot of broken cars and people would say "it wasn't my fault" !!!
Richard
ItalianTuneUp
MB Enthusiast
I have no idea how old my 2005 w220 firmware is, but I'll assume it's not been updated.
Anyone know how much to update it, and where in Hampshire can it be done?
Anyone know how much to update it, and where in Hampshire can it be done?
There's very few Ecu that can be updated on that. Only engine management and bits of the stereo system. Given is 2005 I'd leave we'll alone unless something is actually giving you an issue.
Btw, I'm not sure how the OP is getting a free firmware update on a 2008 car and what Ecu they are planning to check/update
Richard
ItalianTuneUp
MB Enthusiast
Ok thanks Richard, I'll leave it alone then...or maybe I should read up on firmware improvements since 2005 to see if any major improvements were made since then. 
There's very few Ecu that can be updated on that. Only engine management and bits of the stereo system. Given is 2005 I'd leave we'll alone unless something is actually giving you an issue.
Btw, I'm not sure how the OP is getting a free firmware update on a 2008 car and what Ecu they are planning to check/update
Richard
