W204 2012 - Central Display, upgrade from 2012 version to 2014

[nasufie]

Hey everyone,

Hope you’re all doing well!

I recently bought a 2012 W204 and found a local retailer who’s offering to upgrade the central display for 200 euros. What I’m aiming to do is update the look of my 2012 version to the 2014 version through a firmware upgrade (without changing the central display). Now, before anyone says it’s impossible, I’ve seen this dealer’s work, and I know it can be done.

I’ve been digging through MHHAuto for the past three days, but aside from their $30 registration fee, I’ve heard on Reddit that the site isn’t very helpful, and people either won't assist or will ask for extra fees. So, I’m reaching out to see if anyone here has experience with this kind of upgrade.

I’ve come across mentions of XEntry and Vediamo, but I’m completely new to these tools and don’t know where to start. While some may suggest just paying the 200 euros, please keep in mind that the average salary in my country is around 400 euros a month, so it’s not an easy expense for me.

If anyone could offer advice or guide me through this, I’d really appreciate it! I’ve attached pictures of my current central display and the version I want to achieve.

Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions!

 

[markjay]

Welcome.

COMAND Online NTG4.5 was available in three variants.

The first two, called Gen 1 and Gen 2, share the same hardware, the only difference is the software. The third is called Gen 3, and it is also unofficially known as NTG4.7. Notably, with Gen 3 units it is possible to connect the CONAND unit to the Internet via either an iPhone or an Android phone - previously, with Gen 1 and Gen 2 units, Internet connection only worked with Android phones.

Gen 1 units use the 'papyrus' colour scheme, I.e. light brown. Gen 2 and Gen 3 units use the grey-and-red colour scheme.

Updating a Gen 1 unit to Gen 2 is straightforward, it involves a firmware update that can be done by anyone who has genuine MB STAR diagnostic computer. The software itself is free from MB, but the tech carrying out the update will obviously charge you for their time (between half hour to one hour). My guess is that this is what the dealer is offering to do for you for 200 Euros.

Gen 3 units have different hardware to Gen 1 and Gen 2, and for this reason it is not possible to upgrade from Gen 1 or Gen 2 to Gen 3 via a software update.

If you are looking for hacking advice, you won't find it here due to legal and copyright issues. I'm told by a reliable source that you may find helpful advice here: XDA Forums

Best of luck.

 

[nasufie]

Welcome.

COMAND Online NTG4.5 was available in three variants.

The first two, called Gen 1 and Gen 2, share the same hardware, the only difference is the software. The third is called Gen 3, and it is also unofficially known as NTG4.7. Notably, with Gen 3 units it is possible to connect the CONAND unit to the Internet via either an iPhone or an Android phone - previously, with Gen 1 and Gen 2 units, Internet connection only worked with Android phones.

Gen 1 units use the 'papyrus' colour scheme, I.e. light brown. Gen 2 and Gen 3 units use the grey-and-red colour scheme.

Updating a Gen 1 unit to Gen 2 is straightforward, it's involves a firmware update that can be done by anyone who has genuine MB STAR diagnostic computer. The software itself is free from MB, but the tech carrying out the update will obviously charge you for their time (between half hour to one hour). My guess is that this is what the dealer is offering to do for you for 200 Euros.

Gen 3 units have different hardware to Gen 1 and Gen 2, and for this reason it is not possible to upgrade from Gen 1 or Gen 2 to Gen 3 via a software update.

If you are looking for hacking advice, you won't find it here due to legal and copyright issues. I'm told by a reliable source that you may find helpful advice here: XDA

Best of luck.

Heyy, thanks a lot for the message mate! That's exactly what I'm trying to do, updating my NTG4.5 ( Gen1 i suppose) to the 2nd GEN.

So basically, me trying to figure out how to update from Gen1 to Gen2 is considered as hacking? I don't want to break any rules here, just looking to see If I should dive deeper to see how this is done or not, since I'm pretty new to this.

Thanks again for your message!!

 

[markjay]

Heyy, thanks a lot for the message mate! That's exactly what I'm trying to do, updating my NTG4.5 ( Gen1 i suppose) to the 2nd GEN.

So basically, me trying to figure out how to update from Gen1 to Gen2 is considered as hacking? I don't want to break any rules here, just looking to see If I should dive deeper to see how this is done or not, since I'm pretty new to this.

Thanks again for your message!!

The firmware update can only be done legally using genuine MB STAR computer (running Xentry software). Only franchised dealers and authorised independent garages have access to this tool.

If you want to do it yourself, you'll need to buy a clone (a pirated version of the original MB hardware) and download a hacked version of the software (again, pirated copies). I am not passing any moral judgement, I am simply saying that you will not find on this forum any information regarding illegal pirated hardware or software that breach MB's IPR. There are plenty of other forums where these activities are openly discussed - see the link in my previous post.

 

[nasufie]

The firmware update can only be done legally using genuine MB STAR computer (running Xentry software). Only franchised dealers and authorised independent garages have access to this tool.

If you want to do it yourself, you'll need to buy a clone (a pirated version of the original MB hardware) and download a hacked version of the software (again, pirated copies). I am not passing any moral judgement, I am simply saying that you will not find on this forum any information regarding illegal pirated hardware or software that breach MB's IPR. There are plenty of other forums where these activities are openly discussed - see the link in my previous post.

Understood! I've used the link before to root my Android phones lol, never knew it had these kind of softwares too hahaha, thanks a lot mate!