Jap Import W222

[Zishti]

Hi all I'm new here so forgive me if this hasn't posted correctly or in the right place.

I have a 2019 W222 S450 that I imported from Japan. I absolutely love the car, it's low mileage and well maintained. I got it at a great price and it was a no brainer for me. I've come across a few things that I've noticed and need some guidance on how to get these issues sorted so here is a list:

1. The speedometer comes with the option to change the units from KMPH to MPH however all this does is display the speed in MPH really little at the bottom of the display. The entire speedometer is still in KMPH such as the needle, digital speed (in the middle of the speedometer), the mileage, range, trip and fuel economy. How can I get the entire speedometer to change to MPH?

2. The car comes equip with cameras for traffic sign recognition but as the maps data is not here I assume it's unable to read local traffic signs here in the UK. Will MB entertain this if I pay to have it installed or if there someone who can install UK maps with TSR data?

3. The DRL's were off by default (Japanese are not big fans of DRL) but when I switched them on all it does function the same way the car would if I was to turn on the side lights. The rear lights are always on and the front side lights (3 strip lights in this facelift S Class) are on at low brightness which is exactly how the lights work when the side lights/parking lights are switched on. The DRL's are nowhere near as bright as other S Class's I've seen driving around. What can I do to increase the brightness or does this need to be programmed correctly?

 

[Slartibartfast]

Hi and welcome. Nice car you have. Can't answer your questions but would like to some some pics of your car. Cheers

 

[Uky]

I can only refer to problems with re-localization of cars that have been imported privately - once manufactured and configured for the North American market where speedometers, DRL's, rear turn signal colors, navigation, etc. differs from Europe.

Most manufacturers tries to minimize the number of hardware variants if possible and instead rely on configuration settings hidden deep inside the firmware. (Flash memorys) These parameters are kept hidden from normal use of the Xentry diagnostic system. Access to these parameters depends on the good will of Mercedes. Accessing them requires menu item passwords and then the exact knowledge of which bits and/or bytes that should be changed deep down in the firmware registers.

One possible "ouch" could be that changes once made could accidentally be overwritten during a firmware upgrade. I am not sure but the latest information I have was that the Xentry system connects to MB, then asks for user account and password before opening the maintenance menus. Then, when connected to the car, it checks for firmware revisions and possible updates.

My suggestion: Get in contact with an authorized dealer/workshop and ask very very kindly if they can provide some assistance. If it is possible to recode your car I cannot say for sure.

 

[Zishti]

Hi and welcome. Nice car you have. Can't answer your questions but would like to some some pics of your car. Cheers

Thanks! I’ve added one to my profile pic for now and will try to upload some once I get some more time after work.

 

[SmartAmg]

 

[Zishti]

I can only refer to problems with re-localization of cars that have been imported privately - once manufactured and configured for the North American market where speedometers, DRL's, rear turn signal colors, navigation, etc. differs from Europe.

Most manufacturers tries to minimize the number of hardware variants if possible and instead rely on configuration settings hidden deep inside the firmware. (Flash memorys) These parameters are kept hidden from normal use of the Xentry diagnostic system. Access to these parameters depends on the good will of Mercedes. Accessing them requires menu item passwords and then the exact knowledge of which bits and/or bytes that should be changed deep down in the firmware registers.

One possible "ouch" could be that changes once made could accidentally be overwritten during a firmware upgrade. I am not sure but the latest information I have was that the Xentry system connects to MB, then asks for user account and password before opening the maintenance menus. Then, when connected to the car, it checks for firmware revisions and possible updates.

My suggestion: Get in contact with an authorized dealer/workshop and ask very very kindly if they can provide some assistance. If it is possible to recode your car I cannot say for sure.

Aaahhh I’ve done a lot of research and your reply is basically a summary of how my research ends every time. I’m seeing that this journey is not going to be an easy one. I’ve spoken to MB who are happy to install the UK maps but that’s all they’re willing to do. I spoke to someone who can code the car remotely but they’re charging near £1k which I don’t think is reasonable for a bit of coding but it’s a starting point I guess.

 

[Gollom]

Aaahhh I’ve done a lot of research and your reply is basically a summary of how my research ends every time. I’m seeing that this journey is not going to be an easy one. I’ve spoken to MB who are happy to install the UK maps but that’s all they’re willing to do. I spoke to someone who can code the car remotely but they’re charging near £1k which I don’t think is reasonable for a bit of coding but it’s a starting point I guess.

Welcome! What area of London are you? I ask as someone may be able to suggest a trusted Indie who is fully conversant with STAR, Xentry etc. @richard - any thoughts once we know the area?

 

[Zishti]

Welcome! What area of London are you? I ask as someone may be able to suggest a trusted Indie who is fully conversant with STAR, Xentry etc. @richard - any thoughts once we know the area?

I’m based in Romford, East London.

 

[Gollom]

I’m based in Romford, East London.

Any thoughts re a good Indie fellow members?

 

[Benz17]

This is probably one for Richard, at comand online

 

[Chrishazle]

+1 for comandonline.co.uk, they're a couple of miles from J3 M3 in Lightwater Surrey (actual shop front is Unique Car Sounds) as they know more about MB ICE etc than most if not all MB main dealers! @Alfie @richard

 

[DSM10000]

Aaahhh I’ve done a lot of research and your reply is basically a summary of how my research ends every time. I’m seeing that this journey is not going to be an easy one. I’ve spoken to MB who are happy to install the UK maps but that’s all they’re willing to do. I spoke to someone who can code the car remotely but they’re charging near £1k which I don’t think is reasonable for a bit of coding but it’s a starting point I guess.

How many hours of work are involved in "a bit of coding"?

Anyone who can do this will have invested in expensive equipment and will have also acquired considerable knowledge and expertise and that is what adds to the cost

 

[Zishti]

+1 for comandonline.co.uk, they're a couple of miles from J3 M3 in Lightwater Surrey (actual shop front is Unique Car Sounds) as they know more about MB ICE etc than most if not all MB main dealers! @Alfie @richard

Ok brilliant I’ll reach out in the morning and see what can be done. I’ll let you know how it goes!

 

[Zishti]

How many hours of work are involved in "a bit of coding"?

Anyone who can do this will have invested in expensive equipment and will have also acquired considerable knowledge and expertise and that is what adds to the cost

I completely agree with everything you said. I didn’t mean to come across so aggressive with that comment, it was just that my experience of communicating with this person was not the best they were quite dismissive.

The thing is with me is as long as someone takes me seriously I’d be more than happy to explore more options that coding could unlock with my car and I would probably spend more money but this person didn’t seem all that bothered which was a shame. I believe they’re based abroad too but I’d rather have someone locally work on the car

 

[Gollom]

I completely agree with everything you said. I didn’t mean to come across so aggressive with that comment, it was just that my experience of communicating with this person was not the best they were quite dismissive.

The thing is with me is as long as someone takes me seriously I’d be more than happy to explore more options that coding could unlock with my car and I would probably spend more money but this person didn’t seem all that bothered which was a shame. I believe they’re based abroad too but I’d rather have someone locally work on the car

comandonline are brilliant at what they do. Sound guys too!

 

[Zishti]

Hi all, thought I'd share an update on here it's been a few days and I'm struggling to get a call back from Command Online. I asked for Richard in particular but I've been told all the technicians are out but hopefully one of the technicians will give me a call to today so let's see. I found someone in Hainault too so I'm going to give them a call and see if it's something they can do.