S Class W220 Command DVD - Please Help

[DW Chauffeurs]

Dear All, I have just purchased a 2003 model S class with the wide screen command system and was assured that it would play DVD's well this is not the case. I know you may have heard this everal times but what can I do to get it to play them?
Is it the case of a softaware upgrade? or a whole new command system if someone could advise me to which system I have and what it can and cant do would be great.

Thank you

David

 

[richard]

The 2003 was about the time where it switchded from normal-screen CD based COMAND to widescreen CD based comand, to DVD based COMAND.

If your map disk goes in the head unit, then its CD based comand, and it will never play DVD in the COMAND - you could add an external TV tuner and connect DVD player to that.

If the map disk goes in the boot, then it could be there is a head unit software upgrade that makes DVD playing possible (like E class)

Which do you have ?

Cheers
Richard

 

[DW Chauffeurs]

Thank

Thanks Richard, It is the one that loads the disk above the command in a single slot, ho can I add a tuner / dvd in terface is this difficuly and expensive?
Mercedes Benz that sold me the vehicle assured me it would play a DVD that is why I went for that particular vehicle.
?

Thanks

David

 

[Brian WH]

Thanks Richard, It is the one that loads the disk above the command in a single slot, ho can I add a tuner / dvd in terface is this difficuly and expensive?
Mercedes Benz that sold me the vehicle assured me it would play a DVD that is why I went for that particular vehicle.
?

Thanks

David

As has been said, only the later versions can play DVDs. So go back and argue that one with whoever sold you it, as they are confused or misinformed mate. To convert it would be an expensive hobby.

 

[DW Chauffeurs]

Mercedes Benz

Thank you Brian,

I bought it from a Main Dealer under their Approved Used Programme, It only has one key, no service book, scratches on leather and bodywork after I was told in was in perfect condition, told it would play DVd and have ventilated seats, would you sya I had a good arguement to get them to put the DVd command system in or will they tell me where to go??

 

[moneyman]

Thank you Brian,

I bought it from a Main Dealer under their Approved Used Programme, It only has one key, no service book, scratches on leather and bodywork after I was told in was in perfect condition, told it would play DVd and have ventilated seats, would you sya I had a good arguement to get them to put the DVd command system in or will they tell me where to go??

Why did you buy it then?

 

[C43AMG]

Thank you Brian,

I bought it from a Main Dealer under their Approved Used Programme, It only has one key, no service book, scratches on leather and bodywork after I was told in was in perfect condition, told it would play DVd and have ventilated seats, would you sya I had a good arguement to get them to put the DVd command system in or will they tell me where to go??

How could you have paid and accepted that car with the above list of complaints ?

 

[DW Chauffeurs]

Why

Yes I know, I know, but the dealer was a long way from where I live so I did the deal over the phone and e mail pics etc...
As it was a main dealer I thought that if there was a problem it would be easily solved, after a 4 hour trip to get there, 3 1/2 hours in the dealer I just wanted to get out and embark on my 5hr drive home, so in my haste I did not check everything as well as I should have done. And yes I do regret my fatal error.
I have 30days to exchange the vehicle which is very tempting if they can supple a LWB S class, anyone got any ideas, do I give the car back or get them to fix the faults?

 

[Dieselman]

Given the option to exchange I would take it as long as the other car has all that you need and everything is Ok.

At least you know how the game is played now..

Just think..when the salesman was talking to you were his lips moving??

 

[glojo]

I have 30days to exchange the vehicle which is very tempting if they can supple a LWB S class, anyone got any ideas, do I give the car back or get them to fix the faults?

Hindsight is a useless talent which we all tend to have in abundance, I have read all your posts and if it were me then I would not hesitate in handing it back.

This dealership will be desperate to keep your money and hopefully might come up with a better vehicle? I have had tyis out before with other members, but to me a main dealer should supply a second-hand car in a spotless condition, and if it is not. YOU should be told. This is a brief extract of their sales pitch.

To give you maximum peace of mind, every Mercedes-Benz Approved Used car is inspected by a trained technician. The inspection covers all mechanical and electrical components, the bodywork, interior, tyres and wheels and each car is thoroughly road tested before going on sale.

Furthermore you’ll receive a copy of the technicians check sheet.

Is this what you received when you purchased the car? If not then why not? Anyway enough of my ramblings, hand it back

Good luck with the decision
John

 

[C43AMG]

Give it back, i'm glad you have the 30 day option. As John has said you may well come out of this ok, they will want to keep your money and as long as you insist on your original spec, you may end up with a better deal.
Good luck and all the best.

 

[richard]

Yup, give it back. Its impossible to retrofit the DVD based comand (well, impossible for a dealer, Miro can probably do it, but he is in Australia mostly) - and the DVD based systems are far superior. I think You need a MY2004 car for DVD comand - the dealer should have known. Also, one key is bad news, have they disabled the other key, what happened to the locks (i.e were they changed) etc - why havent they bothered to order a 2nd key !!

While you have the 30 day option, take it. They can always get a car you want from another dealer (they will have to pay of course), so have a good check on used cars on mercedes.co.uk and find a few that interest you

Cheers
R

 

[DW Chauffeurs]

Thanks

Thank you all for your replies, I never did get a Technicians check report, although I have asked for that but strangely nobody knows where it is, my view is that never had one. And as they say their vehicle are supposed to be sold in the best condition, so I never doubted that they might be lying, if I had bought it from a back street dealer or out of the paper I would have looked at it in far more detail. With regards to the key the assure me they have ordered one. Been on the merc website and the nearest car I can find like mine is over 8 grand more cant see them paying that much!!
I thought a MB dealer would know what they were talking about and it never crossed my mind that they may not have a clue about the command system!!
Will be taking it back.

Thanks

David

 

[Brian WH]

Thank you all for your replies, I never did get a Technicians check report, although I have asked for that but strangely nobody knows where it is, my view is that never had one. And as they say their vehicle are supposed to be sold in the best condition, so I never doubted that they might be lying, if I had bought it from a back street dealer or out of the paper I would have looked at it in far more detail. With regards to the key the assure me they have ordered one. Been on the merc website and the nearest car I can find like mine is over 8 grand more cant see them paying that much!!
I thought a MB dealer would know what they were talking about and it never crossed my mind that they may not have a clue about the command system!!
Will be taking it back.

Thanks

David

Keep us advised as we would love to know how you get on mate.

 

[Benzowner]

Just as a comparison, I recently purchased an S class from Salisbury, the car is a 1999 model, but the Comand would not display the maps. The head unit was replaced, and they even came to Bristol to collect the car and gave me a loan car. When buying the car, I too noticed minor blemishes, which the dealer put right prior to me collecting the car. Buying from photographs can be fraught with problems, but buying from a main dealer, the car should have been immaculate, notwithstanding your Comand problem.

 

[glojo]

I thought a MB dealer would know what they were talking about and it never crossed my mind that they may not have a clue about the command system!!
Will be taking it back.

Thanks

David

Good luck David but in fairness to the sales staff these vehicles are extremely complex and I dread to think just how many different options are available throughout the range. I fully agree the sales staff should be more knowledgeable but in the real World it just does not happen. Knowing what type COMAND is in what model is a minefield, even today it is a very complex subject.. R-class?? CL, CLS or GL these models should really have the same feature but do they? I am told the CLS has the same COMAND as the E-class, but then I read posts saying how the CLS has a birds eye view setting on the COMAND, unlike most E-class??

My advice for what its worth is to look at a car, come back here, discuss it and if possible get the VIN number?? I would be very surprised if your questions were not answered in a knowledgeable and prompt manner. They will at least be better than the answers offered by the sales staff who perhaps are more interested in the size of your wallet If it is any consolation this lack of knowledge is not monopolised by just the one marque.

Good luck returning the car and fingers crossed you are offered a better deal.

Regards,
John

 

[DW Chauffeurs]

Thanks

Thanks, I have lodged my complaint with mercedes Uk, does anyone know if an aftermarket DVD / TV system can be fitted that will work on my type of command????

 

[DW Chauffeurs]

John

Thank you, they have said they will service it for me (which they should have done before I collected it) they will replace the rusty wheel nuts, but whether they will do anything with the paintwork??? The Merc bodyshop has quoted £1400 ex VAt!!!
They have also ordered a new key and are sorting out an updated stamped service book, with regards to the technicians report... well they can't find that which makes me think they never did a multi point check or these faults would have been noticed.