Latest software/hardware updates for CLS W219 COMAND

[marcobrien]

Could anyone tell me what the latest software/hardware update versions are and how I can access them to check? I'm trying to prepare myself with the relevant info before approaching my dealer.

I have Sep 2006 CLS with COMAND-APS (DVD ver 5.0). I cannot access the video in motion option, etc.

Many thanks in advance. Sorry if this question has been raised elsewhere!

Marc.

 

[portzy]

Could anyone tell me what the latest software/hardware update versions are and how I can access them to check? I'm trying to prepare myself with the relevant info before approaching my dealer.

I have Sep 2006 CLS with COMAND-APS (DVD ver 5.0). I cannot access the video in motion option, etc.

Many thanks in advance. Sorry if this question has been raised elsewhere!

Marc.

I'm quite certain, but Alfie will probably confirm, that the DVD in motion option was removed via the deletion of ''three button access'' engineering menu/s sometime late 2005 / early 2006. Trying to load the previous software to enable this particular menu apparently does the COMAND no favours at all and I'm even pretty sure that MBZ themselves cannot activate it either via STAR etc.

Hope that helps.

Portzy.

 

[glojo]

Plus of course it is illegal and it would be surprising if a main dealer even attempted this modification?

You should be able to phone your local dealership and find out what service upgrades have been applied to your car.

Regards
John

 

[portzy]

Plus of course it is illegal and it would be surprising if a main dealer even attempted this modification?

Regards
John

Quite right John, I forgot to mention that bit. This, DVD on the move, has been discussed on one or two other forums and MBZ have refused point blank to even attempt it on the latest COMANDs. Thats what has prompted some owners to try the re-flash and consequent failure/s. Its no secret that mines a mid 2005 and I can acccess it but I'm not proud of the fact and, as we all know, guilt got the better of me and I reverted to ''as was'' . The risk and having to live with any, (fatal), consequencies was just not worth it.

Portzy

 

[glojo]

I forgot to mention that bit. This, DVD on the move,

I certainly don't want to appear OTT, but I just wish that all those that carry out this modification have the courage to be at least honest when asked about it.

"I never watch it"
or

"It's just for the children"

is perhaps not quite being truthful?

Well said Portzy.

Regards,
John

 

[marcobrien]

Im not actually looking to activate the video in motion. Rather, I just want find out how I can check which software/hardware versions I have to see if I need any updates/firmware/etc from the dealer.

Sorry for the confusion.

 

[portzy]

Im not actually looking to activate the video in motion. Rather, I just want find out how I can check which software/hardware versions I have to see if I need any updates/firmware/etc from the dealer.

Sorry for the confusion.

Looks like I became as such . I would drop Alfie a line via PM, if there is a way to find out he will definately know, sorry I cant be much more help.

Portzy.

 

[glojo]

Im not actually looking to activate the video in motion. Rather, I just want find out how I can check which software/hardware versions I have to see if I need any updates/firmware/etc from the dealer.

Sorry for the confusion.

Hi,
Sorry for any confusion but if you bought the car locally then like I said at the beginning of this thread, your dealer will tell you what the latest upgrades are on your vehicle.

If you feel you haven't got the latest service bulletins then have a chat with the service department. The COMAND system is just one very small gadget that periodically gets a service upgrade, but what ones come out are not really noticeable to us end users. The usual procedure is to carry these TSB's whenever the car has occasion to go to the Service Department; they are certainly not anything to worry about.

I can understand your curiosity but dabbling with codes, buttons etc is fraught with danger. Some Mercedes forums contain numerous posts about owners who have either tried, or actually got into the engineers menu, and then caused problems with its operation. Pressing buttons with 'unskilled' fingers is in my opinion dodgy poo's.

I'm not sure of how many TSB's have been bought out for the COMAND, but on the E-class, that has a similar system to your very nice CLS the only time I have noticed ANY change was way back in 2004 when we had the Mp3 improvement.

TMC was always part of the COMAND but the operation was activated by a change of navigation software which had the licencing code added to it. (not a service upgrade).

Are you concerned about a specific issue?

Regards,
John

 

[migabc]

I find the W211 (or W219) COMAND APS engineering menus (both NAV and system) very useful.
There are lots of things you can do with these menus. For example you can check all the MOST devices SW/HW versions and it they are running OK. There’s an Error and System Diagnosis menu which shows you all the operation faults on your vehicles’ CAN network. I recently had a problem with the alternator (it was failing occasionally) and this menu alerted that failure. You can also check if the battery is charging OK. You can activate MP3, Video in Motion, DVD region code, etc, etc.
Of course, like any computer you when you access the system account you must know what you’re doing or just limit yourself to what you do know. To have access to the engineering menu on the headunit you must be running SW-Rel 9.390 (or lower).
Unlike the firmware updates which are performed automatically when the vehicle goes in for servicing, the SW updates on the headunit will only be performed if you specifically ask for them (or request new features, like MP3, WAP, ETA on the main screen, etc). MY 2005 or later will have a SW-Rel 15.130 (or later) which doesn’t allow access to the engineering menu, however some have managed to downgrade to SW-Rel 9.390 for allowing access to the engineering menu.
Hope this helps.

 

[glojo]

Iif you specifically ask for them (or request new features, like MP3, WAP, ETA on the main screen, etc). MY 2005 or later will have a SW-Rel 15.130 (or later) which doesn’t allow access to the engineering menu, however some have managed to downgrade to SW-Rel 9.390 for allowing access to the engineering menu.
Hope this helps.

Several of us have all the latest service upgrades on our 211's, including the latest navigation disk, but has anyone had their COMAND upgraded to receive a front screen that displays ETA?

John

 

[migabc]

Several of us have all the latest service upgrades on our 211's, including the latest navigation disk, but has anyone had their COMAND upgraded to receive a front screen that displays ETA?

John

SW-REL 21.090 30/06 (W211 589 13 22 00) should give you ETA. I believe this is the latest SW upgrade.

 

[glojo]

SW-REL 21.090 30/06 (W211 589 13 22 00) should give you ETA. I believe this is the latest SW upgrade.

I agree with you when you say that the latest software upgrades prevent us from finding out what version we have, but again myself and others have only very recently had our vehicles in for servicing or repair and I can only speak from personal experience. ALL outstanding service upgrades are carried out, including those to the COMAND. I am NOT disagreeing with your point, but I am suggesting that my experience is not in agreement with your blanket statement.

When this ETA 'upgrade' was first mentioned our vehicle by pure coincidence was in a Mercedes workshop. I immediately contacted the workshop and they confirmed my car did indeed have ALL the very latests upgrades and these are done as a matter of workshop policy whenever a car comes in. (The 211 also has a quality inspection). This statement was given to me by the workshop manager of just one dealership and please do not read it as a blanket cover all type suggestion.

When we got the vehicle back I was disappointed that it never had the ETA front screen that you describe and since the first mention of this upgrade I have not read about a single owner of a pre 2006 vehicle having this facility?

How can a lay person enter the Engineers Menu when the car has had the latest service upgrade (which they never asked for?)


John

 

[SargeBenz]

I have not read about a single owner of a pre 2006 vehicle having this facility?

John,

I have a W211 built in early 2004, upgraded to have ETA on the front screen. The thread below has more details.

http://mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=33445&page=8

SargeBenz

 

[glojo]

John,

I have a W211 built in early 2004, upgraded to have ETA on the front screen. The thread below has more details.

http://mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=33445&page=8

SargeBenz

Thanks very much for reminding me of that thread, now I am completely baffled.

I'll have the boss check out our system again in the morning. There is NO doubt whatsoever that we have all the latest upgrades and I can only assume it's 'operator error'??

I'll get back after I check things out.

Regards
John

Edit:
Totally baffled now as here is another members report confirming they also cannot get this optiohn on the front screen

 

[migabc]

There is NO doubt whatsoever that we have all the latest upgrades

I'm not saying you don't have SW-REL 21.090 30/06 (W211 589 13 22 00), but I can say that a buddy of mine upgraded his COMAND APS headunit on his 2005 W211 to this release and he now has ETA on the main screen.

Unfortunately, since you don't have access to the engineering menu you cannot confirm your SW release, however the dealer should be able to get that information by plugging it to the DAS (or by simply looking at the label on the SW update disc that he used when he upgraded your system).

Note: SW-REL 21.090 30/06 (W211 589 13 22 00) is quite new. It was ordered at our dealer in March 2007specifically for this new feature.

Maybe if you request this part number at your dealer you too will be able to get this new feature.
Let us know how you succeed.
Miguel

 

[glojo]

Maybe if you request this part number at your dealer you too will be able to get this new feature.
Let us know how you succeed.
Miguel

Hi Miguel,
Our vehicle was at the dealership a few weeks ago and I'm assured it has all the very latest upgrades.

I am wondering if we are talking at cross purposes and feel it would be beneficial for myself and others if you can take a picture of this improvement just so we can clarify we are talking about the same thing?

It might be an idea to carry on this particular debate on the other thread as there are members who just like myself have had their car in for the latest upgrade to the COMAND.

I have been informed this option is only available for the very latest CLS and E-class?


John

 

[SargeBenz]

Hi Miguel,
Our vehicle was at the dealership a few weeks ago and I'm assured it has all the very latest upgrades.

I am wondering if we are talking at cross purposes and feel it would be beneficial for myself and others if you can take a picture of this improvement just so we can clarify we are talking about the same thing?

It might be an idea to carry on this particular debate on the other thread as there are members who just like myself have had their car in for the latest upgrade to the COMAND.

I have been informed this option is only available for the very latest CLS and E-class?


John

John,

Here's what I have... Hope it helps. I'm new to posting images so it's not as clean a picture as I would like.

SargeBenz

attachment.php (JPEG Image, 2740x1592 pixels) - Scaled (16%)

 

[migabc]

Yeap, that's what it looks like - where the Sat info used to be you will now get the ETA (just like on the new 07 E or CLS).

 

[Mackhack]

Hi guys,

has someone the CD W211 589 13 22 00 and could send me a copy? I would highly appreciate it!

Thanks!

 

[Mackhack]

Against what others have said in this thread, VIM can being enabled via SDS.