New ML Navigation Mods

[Tony M]

but do you seriously believe that an ML500 is going to be used as an off roader?? John

I will be using my ML500 SE off road soon as transport at Driven pheasant shoots. The previous 163 series always did famously in company with Range Rovers, and Defenders. Even on Road tyres it never got stuck in mud whereas last year a few Defenders did.

 

[Tony M]

So the moral of the story is ....

If you have a SL you want to eat in a Michelin starred restaurant
If you have a VW van you like burgers ......

And by Mercedes logic, if you are poor and can only afford an A,C, ML or CLK class with DVD Navigation you like Burgers too.

 

[prprandall51]

Hi Tony, thanks for the response. Of course, it is Harman Becker (where did I get Siemens from??!!).

I used to work for TeleAtlas and hopefully can throw some additional light on this subject, which may be helpful:

I am pretty sure the SL is a Bosch system (or, at least, the early cars were), whereas the E Class is -as you say - Becker. They look similar and are built to similar specs (laid down by MB) but are completely different inside.

Bosch normally use TeleAtlas data, TeleAtlas is part owned by Bosch. Furthermore, Michelin and TeleAtlas have a co-marketing agreement so you will only find Michelin data on the TeleAtlas disks. Bosch have also been the Systems supplier to VW / Audi for some time (though they may now be using a different supplier). If you have a Michelin disk it is certain to be a TeleAtlas disk and will probably work in a range of Bosch devices.

Becker chose Navteq as their mapping partner, though TeleAtlas have since signed an agreement with Becker to provide them with mapping data, too. I am keeping my fingers crossed that the V5 disk for the E-Class in TeleAtlas-based but we will see. It may be that TA do an aftermarket disk for the E-Class system, instead, which will give us a choice, at least. If TA do a disk for Becker systems, there will probably be a Michelin disk in due course.

Disks are produced by both the mapping supplier and the vehicle manufacturer but the channels through which those disks are sold is determined by the vehicle manufacturer and the Systems supplier. Hence, there are no aftermarket map disks for the Becker systems currently - only those sold through the MB channel. That would have been MB / Becker's decision, which may change in time.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, POIs are available for all systems, it is a case of what the systems integrator and vehicle manufacturer wants to put on. However, I am not aware of Michelin data being available on Navteq disks because of the marketing agreement.

On the subject of the ML, it sounds like you opted for full COMAND. In the E-Class that gives you a NAV system in the boot with a DVD permanently installed. Is this not the case in the ML? I thought you only got the front-loading Nav option on APS 50.

Best regards
Philip

 

[Tony M]

Is this not the case in the ML? I thought you only got the front-loading Nav option on APS 50.

Philip

Hi Philip thanks for the information.

The 'New' ML Navigation is the same system as fitted the A,C, CLK classes, and the smart four four..

The disc loads into the head unit on all of them.

We took the ML to central France and fancied a meal. What did the POIs offer ? Burgers or Pizzas.

 

[fuzzer]

am i not right in saying that :

harman kardon ,jbl, bosch , becker and siemens and blaupunkt are the same company?

 

[saorbust]

Good morning Saorbust,
I always enjoy reading your replies and to a certain degree I agree about your 'apples and pears' analogue, but do you seriously believe that an ML500 is going to be used as an off roader?? When I listed the prices I used the standard specification and the ML500 is way more expensive. The E-class saloon starts off at £45,250, going up to £46720 for the Sport. The ML has just the one price for both the SE and Sport both are £49155. Even the name 'Sport' illustrates that perhaps the M might be better suited to our highways, rather than the 'bye-ways'.

I am not impressed with the quality of street\road information on the NAVTEQ system and as you know I eventually got them to update the Devon and Cornwall Mercedes-Benz Dealership locations which was years out of date. They state how they have cars permanantly out on our roads updating their database, but the M6 toll road never existed for some considerable time (is it there?) Are you saying the TELEATLAS system is better? If this is the case then surely it is worth a short delay to get the superior information? I accept it should not be necessary, but that is a seperate issue.

Regarding the full debate though I don't accept that the M-class should have an inferior COMAND when compared to the E-class. If the E-class can play video, they the 'M' should, can the 'M' play Mp3's?

I am interested in what is available in Japan but it is not really relevant to this debate (although I respect the author of this threads opinion)

Regards,
John

Hi John,

Fair points and well made. I guess re the prices - my point is this. Its far harder to engineeer a car to serve the dual purpose of off road vehicle and on road vehicle. With an E Class - its a one purpose vehicle - the ML isn't. So perhaps the higher prices for the ML class reflect the additional engineering required for the cars principle purpose (a to b on or off road). If the car is actually used for that purpose or not is another question !!!

MB also have the R Class coming out - which is designed as the on road version of the 4x4 concept.

Pricing aside, it seems clear to me that MB have placed the C / CLK / ML in one category of ownership, the E / R etc are mid range, and the SL / CL / S are top of the range.

Re the discs - having experienced both the CD and DVD versions - I personally prefer the DVD version of the disc - even though its not Teleatlas. I think Teleatlas have awful data, and my NavTeq disc for the E is really very good - not to mention very fast. Even the CD based version doesn't take 45 seconds - Tony I'd suggest you get the head unit checked out - thats way to long.

I generally find it takes about 3-4 years for new features (such as roads that have recently been constructed) to appear on the discs. I know not why.

Clarky.

 

[saorbust]

Of course the other thing to note is that new discs are about to be released for all systems. It may all change in a week....

 

[prprandall51]

am i not right in saying that :

harman kardon ,jbl, bosch , becker and siemens and blaupunkt are the same company?

Blaupunkt is a brand of Bosch, and Becker and Siemens and Bosch are competitors. Don't know about the rest. HK could be part of Becker, I don't know.

 

[prprandall51]

Hi Philip thanks for the information.

The 'New' ML Navigation is the same system as fitted the A,C, CLK classes, and the smart four four..

The disc loads into the head unit on all of them.

We took the ML to central France and fancied a meal. What did the POIs offer ? Burgers or Pizzas.

I am shocked - it appears that MB has cut back on the ML navigation. Personally (noting the other posts here) I would have put the ML as a higher spec vehicle within the MB range than the E Class. Certainly, the one I saw in the showroom looked very yummy. I was distinctly envious.

Philip

 

[lil.smartie]

Well after much letter writing we have just been offered 50% refund on our unit in our Smart forfour. Keep arguing the case, go through the manual & brochure and point out all the things it says it will do but doesn't! Fingers crossed!

Kate