Online Map Updates

[Brichcroft]

MercedesMe now offers online map updates (Item Number:QEV111AH1XA2) for, I quote:

"The service is available in all model series with the MBUX multimedia system or the COMAND Online multimedia system."​

However, when I log in to purchase it I am informed that it is Not Available because:

"Online Map Update is unfortunately not available for your C 220 BlueTEC Saloon Sport vehicle due to the hardware installed ex factory."
​

However, I have owned the car, which came with COMAND Online factory fitted, from new (64 Reg). I have not modified it in anyway or installed any ex-factory hardware. I am therefore at a loss to understand why Online Map Updates are unavailable. When I contacted MercedesMe customer help for an explanation they simply replied:

"Unfortunately I am unable to ascertain what is causing the issue with your Map updates, therefore I would recommend contacting your local Mercedes-Benz Retailer to assist you with updating the navigation. To help you find and contact your nearest Mercedes-Benz Retailer I have attached a link to our Retailer Locator below:"​

I will of course do this when I get chance, but I don't hold out much hope of a better explanation so I was wondering if anyone here has tried online map updates and/or has knowledge of why it might not work and what needs to be done to make it work?

Thanks in adavance for your help
Ken

 

[barian]

I believe it is only available with the more recent COMAND versions (It works on mine). Mercedes could make this clearer.

 

[Deleted member 149005]

Would a 64 plate have MBUX installed?

 

[st13phil]

Would a 64 plate have MBUX installed?

No.

 

[barian]

To amplify the response, MBUX was introduced with the latest A class, and is now being fitted to other models as they are replaced/updated.

 

[DrNick]

"Online Map Update is unfortunately not available for your C 220 BlueTEC Saloon Sport vehicle due to the hardware installed ex factory."

Ex factory in this case I took to mean fitted at the factory, ie as supplied.

Coming from the latin Ex, meaning out of or from. Probably.

 

[barian]

I think that is a reasonable supposition!

 

[Srdl]

The OP says it now covers MBUX and Comand Online. I had an email from Mercedes Me at the end of August saying I could now get online map updates (for Comand Online) and I activated the service on my Mercedes Me portal. I had previously had an over-the-air software update applied during August which, I assume, updated my system to cope with this.

The actual service only once appeared on my available Mercedes Me Connect services but was “Not available” when I tried, then, a few weeks ago, the service disappeared altogether from my activated list. I suspect they rolled this out to cars that didn’t previously have it and have since withdrawn it either because it didn’t work or because they overloaded their system.

I’m not that bothered at the moment because my dealer updated my maps (without being asked) during my service earlier this week and I assume online map updates will return for me some day in the future!

 

[barian]

That is interesting. I did say in my earlier response that it was available for MBUX and the later (or latest - I am not sure) COMAND versions. It has been working on my 2019 model with COMAND, with updates seemingly available four times a year, although it takes so long for the download to start that it is not completed much before the next one is available. The other point to note is that the online update is only available for one region, not the whole of Europe. You have to select the region for online update and any others (plus the voice data for the region you have selected) need to be downloaded to a USB for manual updating. Clearly there are capacity limitations with the system.

 

[markjay]

Most likely the OP's 2014 car does not support in-car maps update due to lack of the KOM Module, or because the KOM Module fitted to the car was an early version which is not compatible with in-car maps update (MB started fitting these to some models from around July 2013, they came with a Vodafone 3g service and many of the early boxes needed replacing under warranty).

At any rate, my understand is that the in-car maps update was only available for cars up to 3 years old (possibly in a bid to stop cars from holding-up service bays at dealers during the period when the cars are eligible for free updates).

 

[barian]

Forgive me, but I am a little confused by your post markjay. I think we are talking about two methods of updating. One is over-the-air, which occurs automatically in the background while driving and without a dealer visit. The second is during service visits where the maps are downloaded via an online connection in the service bay. Which of these do you call an "in-car"? As far as the three years is concerned, I believe this is the period for which they are free. In both cases they can be obtained afterwards, but have to be paid for.

 

[markjay]

By 'in-car' I meant 'over the air'.

I was told by MB at the time that it only applies for the first 3 years and can't be purchased or renewed after that. Though this may have changed since.

 

[barian]

I suppose I won't know until mine comes up for renewal. As, surely, map updates will be available it would be very strange if over the air updating were not available, but we are talking about MB!

 

[rtfm]

I have successfully downloaded and installed Mercedes Download Manager Version 1.0.16.

My Dec 2015 GLC Premium Plus build sheet says
531 COMAND APS NTG5/NTG5.5

On the car navigation console Map Version it says
“2018 (V12.0) Europe”

Which map should I download? These are the ones listed under NTG 5:-

exFAT 5*1 (V12) Available since 23.04.2019
NTFS 5*2 (V13) 09.11.2018
NTFS 5.5 (V17) 21.06.2019

Also, what would the licence pin currently cost in the UK?

 

[Srdl]

I have successfully downloaded and installed Mercedes Download Manager Version 1.0.16.

My Dec 2015 GLC Premium Plus build sheet says
531 COMAND APS NTG5/NTG5.5

On the car navigation console Map Version it says
“2018 (V12.0) Europe”

Which map should I download? These are the ones listed under NTG 5:-

exFAT 5*1 (V12) Available since 23.04.2019
NTFS 5*2 (V13) 09.11.2018
NTFS 5.5 (V17) 21.06.2019

Also, what would the licence pin currently cost in the UK?

You will have 5*2 in a GLC and V13 is what Mercedes loaded in to mine last week as part of the three year free deal.

ComandOnline sell the PIN for £199 (ouch!) NTG5*1 and NTG5*2 Update PIN code for Europe Maps

 

[Srdl]

Just another thought, if you are going ahead with this, it might be worth waiting for a few weeks. Based on the release date for V13, there could be a newer V14 for NTG5*2 due out shortly.

 

[rtfm]

Just another thought, if you are going ahead with this, it might be worth waiting for a few weeks. Based on the release date for V13, there could be a newer V14 for NTG5*2 due out shortly.

Great idea. Thanks for the info. I will hang on to see if,a new version comes out.