Latest firmware Upgrade for 211 COMAND

[Diesel Benz]

I agree, it's not necessary just to have the latest version and that perhaps an update in mapping every year or so would be ample for most situations, but being from N. Ireland I'm finding that its only of late that our mapping is catching up with the rest of the UK. Garmin's mapping is now showing all the minor roads and their units are now worth having, at the moment with v.5.1 in our Comand it says I'm driving off road a lot of the time when actually I'm just using the minor roads, I'm hoping v.7 will correct this! Perhaps other members can shed some light on this, I know Southern Ireland mapping has been pretty poor on sat navs.

Cheers

Can you try Navteq map reporter to check their current status for the roads that do not exist to you today?
http://mapreporter.navteq.com/dur-web-external/secured/submitDur.do?userType=CONSUMER&language=en

 

[124fan]

just an update on how I'm getting on....

Sales Rep is doing his best...running between myself, service manager and whoever else!

They insist service updates do not give you any additional features! They have not confirmed that any have been done!

I rang hot line number 00800 1777 7777 and tech support say the same, how do I advance from this stand off?

Has anyone got anything in writing that I can send to my dealership to convince them?

They have agreed to send me another mapping disc, and say it will improve functions, but that goes against the views on here! Hope someone can enlighten me, please.

Cheers,

 

[glojo]

Has anyone got

First question is:

Have you established if you have the Mp3 facility?

I ask this because it is the easiest way of defeating their argument. My own car is a January 2004 built car with COMAND. At thie time it was built NO E-class 211 COMAND system could play Mp3's, it was not an option, nor available. A few months later word got out that one of the technical service upgrades contained among other things the coding to activate the Mp3 functionality on all COMAND's fitted on the 211. I kept pestering our dealership and as soon as they received the required CD, our car had it done.

TSB's are regularly sent to all main dealers and for this person to say otherwise is plain wrong. I fully 100% accept that they might not have the software to put the ETA on your screen because this is not deemed a service issue, but all previous upgrades are, and they should be able to tell you what has been done.

When I book our car in for servicing or any remedial work, the first thing the receptionist does is enter the car's details into their database to see if there is any outstanding work required.

Your car would have had two or maybe three recalls for the SBC brake system and I think early models also had a recall for seat belts but that is a bit hazy.

Cars coming from the Republic of Ireland might have a different specification to UK vehicles, but if your car has a European COMAND with the navigation option, then there is NO EXCUSE for a dealer maintained car not to have this facility. If it has got it, then your dealer has shot his own argument in the foot (It's a service upgrade) and if it has not got it, then you have problems and I wonder how many other technical service upgrades have not been installed?

Just to make things clear
The only visual improvements I have seen on my COMAND is the Mp3, cars on the correct side of the road on the map, and of course the ETA.

Regards
John

 

[124fan]

First question is:

Have you established if you have the Mp3 facility?

There is no MP3 facility, the head unit is version 15/2004

I ask this because it is the easiest way of defeating their argument. My own car is a January 2004 built car with COMAND. At thie time it was built NO E-class 211 COMAND system could play Mp3's, it was not an option, nor available. A few months later word got out that one of the technical service upgrades contained among other things the coding to activate the Mp3 functionality on all COMAND's fitted on the 211. I kept pestering our dealership and as soon as they received the required CD, our car had it done.

They are insisting that all updates have been carried out. I personally feel that they don't carry out minor updates on older cars, provided there is no risk of danger or injury.

TSB's are regularly sent to all main dealers and for this person to say otherwise is plain wrong. I fully 100% accept that they might not have the software to put the ETA on your screen because this is not deemed a service issue, but all previous upgrades are, and they should be able to tell you what has been done.

When I book our car in for servicing or any remedial work, the first thing the receptionist does is enter the car's details into their database to see if there is any outstanding work required.

Your car would have had two or maybe three recalls for the SBC brake system and I think early models also had a recall for seat belts but that is a bit hazy.

Cars coming from the Republic of Ireland might have a different specification to UK vehicles, but if your car has a European COMAND with the navigation option, then there is NO EXCUSE for a dealer maintained car not to have this facility. If it has got it, then your dealer has shot his own argument in the foot (It's a service upgrade) and if it has not got it, then you have problems and I wonder how many other technical service upgrades have not been installed?

Just to make things clear
The only visual improvements I have seen on my COMAND is the Mp3, cars on the correct side of the road on the map, and of course the ETA.

Regards
John

It may be a such a minor thing in the dealers eyes but I'm not too pleased, and this is only my first experience with them!

I'd like to know how they get around not doing or not acting on TSB's, and yes this has been a dealer maintained vehicle.

I'm now waiting on a new Mapping disc which I've been told will fix all my concerns...we'll see!

My real concern is that perhaps v.8 or later may not work in my Comand unit because of these updates not been carried out, and the dealer then telling me that its just because my unit is so old!

Cheers,

 

[DansSlk]

Why don't you give another dealer a call?

All the major service information is on a central DB anyway so they can tell if all the big updates (TSB) have been carried out unfortunately the smaller updates (non-TSB) are not included.

I have had a quick read of the posts but i would just like to say sorry in advance if i repeat any info that has already been mentioned.

Your COMAND is DVD based the navi processor is in the trunk the dealer should have update disks for both the processor and the headunit.

If they are sending you the latest mapping DVD great but thats not what your looking for, you want the service CD applied.

You won't know if you headunit is MP3 capable unless you insert a disk containing MP3's into it otherwise you will just have something similar to the following -

Radio
CD
CDC
AUX

If your current software version supports MP3's then CD will change to MP3 when the correct disk is inserted.

For the dealer to claim the service CD's don't give extra features baffles me because that is the very point of the disks to keep the units up to date and running efficiently, and MB tech are not much use either to get solid answers from MB you need to speak to the original designers.

I remember getting into a bust up with them over a instrument cluster the customer wanted a 2007 cluster with the AMG menu and new face in his 2006, MB said no way but guess what a call to the people at AMG techs said differently and would you believe when i plugged the cluster in and coded it the thing works like a dream, full menu access.

Moral of the story is most of the people end users and in most cases us shops and dealers are able to speak to will normally be clueless you need to know the people to speak with to get anywhere, if your dealer keeps messing you about buy the service CD yourself its very cheap then make everybody who has told you it does not give extra features watch you as you install the disk then demand your refund for the disk cost.

The problem they have is not wanting to admit they are wrong.

 

[glojo]

Dan will correct me if I'm wrong but over eighteen months ago there were in excess of eighteen TSB's for the 211 range. Your dealer cannot elect to not install these service procedures as they are there to make sure our vehicles perform at there optimum.

I would be VERY loathe to apply this latest 'patch' until you get to the bottom of this.

Our car is at present at the main dealers, so I cannot confirm what Dan is saying about the:

Radio
CD
CDC
AUX

but it makes sense. Have you tried writing a few Mp3's to a CD and inserting it into the dash mounted CD player?

You might be confusing your dealer by talking about 'extra features' as apart from the Mp3 upgrade, there are no visual extra features. TSB's are designed to fine tune different areas of the car.... gearbox, engine, fuel systems etc etc.

If you can access the engineers menu then I would suggest you do have have the latest TSB's installed on your vehicle.

I will try to get a copy of at least one TSB for you.

Regards
John

 

[DansSlk]

Yeah John's right the dealer can't decide not to bother carrying out the TSB's the only person who can do that is the customer because he obviously has final say on whats done to the vehicle.

So if your car has been dealer serviced and the previous owner has not objected to TSB action being taken (i see no reason why they would really) then your car should be up to date, as i said bring a second dealer in on it you don't need to explain the whole situation to them just ask about the TSB's and they will want your cars VIN or reg number.

For the dealer you are currently debating this with ask them do they have a disk with the following part number in the workshop (if they answer no its BS) W211 589 13 22 00

 

[124fan]

Why don't you give another dealer a call?

Only one main dealer in N.Ireland

You won't know if you headunit is MP3 capable unless you insert a disk containing MP3's into it otherwise you will just have something similar to the following -

Radio
CD
CDC
AUX

If your current software version supports MP3's then CD will change to MP3 when the correct disk is inserted.

In this screen my Comand does not have CD highlighted, whereas Radio CDC and AUX is highlighted.

Moral of the story is most of the people end users and in most cases us shops and dealers are able to speak to will normally be clueless you need to know the people to speak with to get anywhere, if your dealer keeps messing you about buy the service CD yourself its very cheap then make everybody who has told you it does not give extra features watch you as you install the disk then demand your refund for the disk cost.

The problem they have is not wanting to admit they are wrong.

I'll try reading over all the threads again, and try and work out which part no # will give me the MP3 facility and then just order it up.

Thanks folks

 

[124fan]

Dan will correct me if I'm wrong but over eighteen months ago there were in excess of eighteen TSB's for the 211 range. Your dealer cannot elect to not install these service procedures as they are there to make sure our vehicles perform at there optimum.

That's what I wanted to hear, I bought the car from them because I wanted that assurance that all had been done.

I would be VERY loathe to apply this latest 'patch' until you get to the bottom of this.

I'm concerned also but perhaps I'll try adding some of the older CD's myself.

Have you tried writing a few Mp3's to a CD and inserting it into the dash mounted CD player?

No I haven't, I'll ask a mate who's really into his music to do this for me.

You might be confusing your dealer by talking about 'extra features' as apart from the Mp3 upgrade, there are no visual extra features. TSB's are designed to fine tune different areas of the car.... gearbox, engine, fuel systems etc etc.

Perhaps I am, so if I can get the CD's myself, I'll just drop it with them.

If you can access the engineers menu then I would suggest you do have have the latest TSB's installed on your vehicle.

Just shows how confused I'm getting...I thought I lost this facility by having the latest updates.

I will try to get a copy of at least one TSB for you.

I'd appreciate that, then I'd just drop it in their lap and ask if this had been done.


Thanks again, it really pleases and amazes me the amount of knowledge that is available on these forums...sure beats been kept in the dark and thinking you're going mad!

Cheers

 

[glojo]

If you can access the engineers menu then I would suggest you do have have the latest TSB's installed on your vehicle.

Mega embarrassment. I missed out the word: NOT

Many apologies and I'll blame the morphine, I usually re-read my posts before posting them. It should read:

If you can access the engineers menu then I would suggest you do NOT have have the latest TSB's installed on your vehicle

Most of the COMAND TSB's are for rectifying customer complaints and I would very respectfully point out that Mercedes-Benz has issued one to tell dealers to charge customers that have dabbled with the COMAND and altered it to show the AMG screen.

These are some of the TSB's that deal solely with the COMAND, nothing to do with engine, transmission, braking or suspension etc. Unfortunately they come from an American source but the TSB will unless stated otherwise apply World-wide. The annoying thing is the Mp3 TSB is quite old and I have not located it yet, but I haven't given up searching.

For those that think it is just modern Mercedes that have these bulletins, then think again. In my searching I was still finding them for the 124 series.

8/7/2007 - P-B-82.60/382b - 211 as of MY03 COMAND mismatching radio stations frequency bands, disc drive errors, CD changer panel stuck, head unit resets, navigation destination entry errors and various audio conditions update COMAND head unit software and AGW software.

2/27/2006 – P-B-82.85/490 - 211 as of MY03 COMAND head unit part # A211820279780 Head unit does not power on; Head unit resets or the display is off while audio is still playing in the backgrounds; Display flickers or switches on/off, replace head unit.

10/24/2005 – P-B-82.62/325e - 211 as of MY03 Logic7 audio missing after navigation announcement, display comes up dark at system startup and audio not available, update AGW software.

2/17/2005 – P-B-82.85/437 - 211 as of MY04 Erroneously changing COMAND background and keyboard functions, settings restored to correct operation.

9/27/2004 – P-B-82.62/387 - 211 MY 03 through MY05 Interference
noise/poor sound in surround mode, update AGW software.

I would not pay to much attention to any reference of year as I find these usually refer to the American calender which for months has been talking about 2008 produced vehicles.

Regards
John

 

[glojo]

whew!!
Been searching and searching.

The part number a dealer requires to modify the first 211's that were fitted with COMAND is:

W 211 589 06 22 00.

I don't think this is something you can buy as it is a service item supplied to Mercedes-Benz main dealers but I would still be very surprised if your car has not had this. Having said that, you can still access the Engineer's option which indicates the vehicle has not had the necessary upgrading.

Regards
John

 

[richard]

The W211 s/w update to bring the comand upto MY07 spec and have the ETA option on main screen uses the upgrade disk part
W211 589 13 22 00 (Europe only!!)

Now, there is no official reason to install that (i.e no MB missive, or recall, or TSB) so saying that all the required updates are done is I guess true.

The 06 22 00 part mentioned above was replaced a few times before we got to 13 22 00 - and I dont think they have to be installed in sequence when upgrading - BUT, what I don't know is whether 13 22 00 can be applied to the earliest of COMANDs or not, and i think glojo may be saying it can't and only 06 22 00 can be installed.

On the front of my 06 22 00 disk, it says 'for head unit
A211 827 23 42 / -61 42 / -67 42
A211 827 24 42 / -62 42 / -68 42
A211 870 01 89 / -00 89'

The 13 22 00 says only 'Software Service Update ECE' , and the files on the disk don;t give any clues either. As it doesnt say which models it supports I would expect it to support all though


R

 

[glojo]

The W211 s/w update to bring the comand upto MY07 spec and have the ETA option on main screen uses the upgrade disk part
W211 589 13 22 00 (Europe only!!)

Now, there is no official reason to install that (i.e no MB missive, or recall, or TSB) so saying that all the required updates are done is I guess true.

The 06 22 00 part mentioned above was replaced a few times before we got to 13 22 00 - and I dont think they have to be installed in sequence when upgrading - BUT, what I don't know is whether 13 22 00 can be applied to the earliest of COMANDs or not, and i think glojo may be saying it can't and only 06 22 00 can be installed.

Hi Richard
I am definitely NOT saying they have to be installed in any order. I am suggesting that the part number I gave was the first service CD that was released by Mercedes-Benz that would upgrade all COMAND's that were fitted to the 211 E-class pre May 2004 to play Mp3's. DaimlerChrysler informed me in writing that this upgrade would be available in March 2004, but then they kindly sent me another letter informing me of a slight delay. I call it the Mp3 upgrade but it done a lot more besides.

In other words if we are living in the time......... June 2004 and I owned a November registered 2003 E-class fitted with the COMAND option, then I could go to my dealer and ask for my car to be upgraded to the very latest COMAND specification. Knowing my luck the Service Department would look at me with a blank expression and I would then give them the part number I posted. This service CD would then do what we are discussing. I fully accept the part number I posted is now superceded and it would be possible that the later upgrades would still install all the previous modifications. I have posted the old number because it will indicate just how long ago this upgrade was available. Plus posting the very latest 'patch' information will perhaps cause confusion?

I keep referring to the latest software that gives the ETA as a 'patch' because it is NOT considered a service issue and dealers are not required to install it.

I am however AMAZED if your saying that the upgrade that I posted is not a service issue because that advice flies in the face of everything we have been told by Mercedes-Benz?

Daimler ChryslerUK (as was) informed me that the Mp3 upgrade was a service issue and all E-class fitted with COMAND would be upgraded as and when they went into a main dealership for servicing or repair? Any number of owners with pre May 2004 E-class that are fitted with COMAND might not know their system can now play Mp3's just because they are not aware there cars have been 'modified'.

John

 

[richard]

Aha, now I understand what you were saying, and that matches the info I have.

I'm saying that I beleive the 13 22 00 was/is not a service issue.

I really don't know whether the 06 22 00 was a service issue, but I do remember a WIS document specifically about it introducing it as MP3 enabling.
- I think that sometimes the dealer also had to enable MP3 on the COMAND using Star also.

My suspicion is that because 13 22 00 is not a service issue that many dealer just don't know about it (or not enough people in the dealership know about it).

Cheers

R

 

[steve.link]

You must have a MP3 disk in the Comand for the soft keys to show MP3 - if its a normal music CD it will say CD.

Your HU software is capable of MP3 playback but it has to be enabled - either by Star or the "engineering menu" - this is detailed on the link below:
http://www.freenetpages.co.uk/hp/towerpark/HiddenMenusv2.pdf

Your sw version should allow you access - but be careful!!

My understanding of the HU software versions are:

Ver. 9.390 Build 17/04 - Pt No W211 589 06 22 00.

This is the last version to allow access to the engineering. If you use TMC the traffic jam icons are on the wrong side of the road.

Ver. 15.130 Build 51/05 Pt No W211 589 10 22 00.

This removes the access to the engineering menu, corrects the TMC icon issue and increases the size of the phone book if you have a phone connected to the Comand.

Ver. 21.090 Build 30/06 Pt No W211 589 13 22 00.

This adds ETA to the front screen.

There is also a navi unit S/W update 1.91 PT No W220 589 04 22 00

I have no idea what is does

These updates come on a CD that can be purchased for about £12 and they can be applied yourself in about 5 minutes.

As they are not a mandatory TSB, in my experience, the dealers simply don't have a clue - it took 7 months to sort this out on my car with my dealer and MB technical people in Holland.

 

[steve.link]

The part number a dealer requires to modify the first 211's that were fitted with COMAND is:

W 211 589 06 22 00.

I don't think this is something you can buy as it is a service item supplied to Mercedes-Benz main dealers but I would still be very surprised if your car has not had this. Having said that, you can still access the Engineer's option which indicates the vehicle has not had the necessary upgrading.

Regards
John

John,

I have this disk if anyone needs it. Remember its not backward compatible - i.e once you have upgraded beyond this version you cannot go back.

This version allows MP3 and access to the engineering menu

 

[124fan]

whew!!
Been searching and searching.

The part number a dealer requires to modify the first 211's that were fitted with COMAND is:

W 211 589 06 22 00.

I don't think this is something you can buy as it is a service item supplied to Mercedes-Benz main dealers but I would still be very surprised if your car has not had this. Having said that, you can still access the Engineer's option which indicates the vehicle has not had the necessary upgrading.

Regards
John

Thanks John,

Thats the info I am searching for, I believe I'll run that update myself. I have contacted Steve and hopefully I can get the disc. Again thanks for the time and effort.

Best regards,

 

[124fan]

The W211 s/w update to bring the comand upto MY07 spec and have the ETA option on main screen uses the upgrade disk part
W211 589 13 22 00 (Europe only!!)

Now, there is no official reason to install that (i.e no MB missive, or recall, or TSB) so saying that all the required updates are done is I guess true.

The 06 22 00 part mentioned above was replaced a few times before we got to 13 22 00 - and I dont think they have to be installed in sequence when upgrading - BUT, what I don't know is whether 13 22 00 can be applied to the earliest of COMANDs or not, and i think glojo may be saying it can't and only 06 22 00 can be installed.

On the front of my 06 22 00 disk, it says 'for head unit
A211 827 23 42 / -61 42 / -67 42
A211 827 24 42 / -62 42 / -68 42
A211 870 01 89 / -00 89'

The 13 22 00 says only 'Software Service Update ECE' , and the files on the disk don;t give any clues either. As it doesnt say which models it supports I would expect it to support all though


R

My thanks to you also, this explains why my Main Dealer has not performed the updates.

Best Regards,

 

[124fan]

You must have a MP3 disk in the Comand for the soft keys to show MP3 - if its a normal music CD it will say CD.

Your HU software is capable of MP3 playback but it has to be enabled - either by Star or the "engineering menu" - this is detailed on the link below:
http://www.freenetpages.co.uk/hp/towerpark/HiddenMenusv2.pdf

Your sw version should allow you access - but be careful!!

My understanding of the HU software versions are:

Ver. 9.390 Build 17/04 - Pt No W211 589 06 22 00.

This is the last version to allow access to the engineering. If you use TMC the traffic jam icons are on the wrong side of the road.

Ver. 15.130 Build 51/05 Pt No W211 589 10 22 00.

This removes the access to the engineering menu, corrects the TMC icon issue and increases the size of the phone book if you have a phone connected to the Comand.

Ver. 21.090 Build 30/06 Pt No W211 589 13 22 00.

This adds ETA to the front screen.

There is also a navi unit S/W update 1.91 PT No W220 589 04 22 00

I have no idea what is does

These updates come on a CD that can be purchased for about £12 and they can be applied yourself in about 5 minutes.

As they are not a mandatory TSB, in my experience, the dealers simply don't have a clue - it took 7 months to sort this out on my car with my dealer and MB technical people in Holland.

Thanks Steve,

Do you or does anyone know if TMC was showing vehicles on the correct side of the road before update 06 22 00 or did this update itself have the problem?

I believe I'll run the first update (W211 589 06 22 00) and the Nav Unit one also (W220 589 04 22 00) if you can track it down. This will at least be getting me on the correct path for completing all my updates.

Thanks folks I'm content knowing things are moving in the right direction.

Best Regards,

 

[glojo]

My thanks to you also, this explains why my Main Dealer has not performed the updates.

Best Regards,

I have never met nor heard of an owner that has NOT had these items done as part of the servicing on their vehicle. I am NOT talking about the patch. I am NOT talking about the patch which puts up the ETA, I've said this twice in the hope folks don't get confused. The 211 suffered a lot of bad press regarding early issues with electronic reliability and whenever a car went into the dealer then they carried out a quality control check. Part of this procedure involved making sure the car had all the required updates. One of these was the service issue regarding Mp3 playability.

the other issues were actual recalls regarding the SBC braking system. One of the latest recalls even involved EVERY 211 having a part of the braking system photographed and the image posted to Mercedes-Benz. The 211 is mollycoddled by the manufacturer and I am personally grateful for this.

John