w204 Comand version

[skahigh]

Hi all,

First post here so please be nice.

I bought my first Merc yesterday, a 57 plate C350 sport, lovely car and I'm really pleased with it but quite confused about the comand system.

I've searched a lot and think I have an NTG4 system without the media interface. I definitely have comand but aux only in the glove box, no other media ports of any kind.

My question is, how do I check what version of the comand firmware and nav maps I have? Leading on from that...

How do I know if updates are available?
What is the best way to update?
How much is it likely to cost?

Thinking about getting the media interface retrofit kit from commandonline but it seems very expensive just to gain ipod control. What I really want it bluetooth audio. I would also probably have to fit myself being some way from comand in Surrey (I'm in Cardiff).

Thanks in advance!

Jon

 

[nrg220]

Hi

I have the same in my 57 C220 updating, upgrading is something I would forget. Did manage to get my maps updated in 2012 when had a service otherwise its buy a disk for over £100 plus and hassle updating unless you know what your doing

Media interface, don't waste your money as you have a decent size HD so load your music and off you go, you can add or delete anytime so just take off iPod and put on HD

 

[Chrishazle]

Guys, the joy of NTG4 is that the update DVD's are re-useable, so providing you're sensible and stick to genuine MB DVD's, you're not restricted to buying new from MB etc, you can buy second hand from forums or Ebay. I've done my 2008 system twice in the 3 years I've owned the car!

Updating is easy. First, empty the CD changer. Start the car, connect battery charger, switch off engine but leave ignition key in the position that keeps Comand active. put first DVD into changer, follow onscreen instructions using normal centre console wheel, wait about 1 3/4 hours while DVD 1 loads, when requested eject DVD1 and insert DVD2, wait about 1/2 hour for update to complete.

 

[nrg220]

Being able to used the disks again is great so buying used is a big saver providing you know what your getting, but hell 2.15 hours to update? When Mercedes did mine it had to go back as then my in car phone didn't work, it was due to the update, probably forgot to tick some box. I guess you have to have full ignition all the way over otherwise command days its shutting down after about 10 mins. Do you feel you need the battery charger? Its a big battery and surely not drawing much current, belt and braces I guess


Updating is easy. First, empty the CD changer. Start the car, connect battery charger, switch off engine but leave ignition key in the position that keeps Comand active. put first DVD into changer, follow onscreen instructions using normal centre console wheel, wait about 1 3/4 hours while DVD 1 loads, when requested eject DVD1 and insert DVD2, wait about 1/2 hour for update to complete.[/QUOTE]

 

[Chrishazle]

If Comand shuts down, you just turn the ignition back on and the update will restart from where it left off (guess how I know!!). Rather than taking the chance of this currupting the update, I used the battery charger method I've mentioned above. The reason for connecting the charger engine running is to minimise/remove the possibility of voltage spiking (and possibly wrecking) one of the SAM's - expensive things to replace!

 

[nrg220]

Sorry Chris, you say charger engine running, did you mean charger fitted but leaving the engine off? Wasn't quite sure of that bit? Thanks Chris useful stuff.

Do you have to tick boxes or does it do it unaided apart from putting in the second disk? Cheers

 

[Chrishazle]

The potential problem you're avoiding is voltage spiking the SAM, so start the engine, connect the charger then turn the engine off leaving the key turned to the position that activates Comand (just before the starter motor kicks in). That way you won't spike the SAM and Comand will stay live - but do it somewhere secure as the car is now easily nickable - key in and ready to start!

It's a while since I did my second update so I can't remember the install details, but I do remember that it was pretty intuitive!

 

[skahigh]

Thanks for the replies guys. I assume the update you're talking about is nav maps and not the comand firmware?

Is there any point in a comand firmware update? How would I know if I needed one?

 

[Chrishazle]

I think I'm correct in saying that, if there's a firmware update, it's included on the DVD's. I do know that a member (here or t'other side, think the latter) just had his Dad's car (07 or 08 C class) updated via a genuine new set of MB DVD's during a service at an MB dealer, and there was no firmware update.

I await Alfie or Richard (comandonline.co.uk) posting to correct my errors!!

 

[Alfie]

The firmware updates on a W204 are done via Online Xentry. The procedure is;

Connect the car to a stable 12V supply and leave ignition on.
Connect car to Xentry and go into control module programming for the Comand
enter your online login details (if you dont have them, then stop here you can go no further)
the system will check the firmware version against the latest held by MB in Germany.
If there is an update available it will tell you there is and also tell you which of the service disks to load.
These disks are dealer supplied or sent to those with registered legitimate Xentry/STAR systems who are on the maintenance programme.
Once the disk is loaded the firmware update will run. It wioll also do DAB, media interface and HK if you have them fitted. Can take anywhere from 15 minutes to 3 hours depending on what you have and what updates are needed.

You cannot simply get hold of the disks and load them yourself, it simply doesnt work.

 

[nrg220]

To save confusion your talking the latest W204 i presume as its not the case for older W204 models

 

[Chrishazle]

To save confusion your talking the latest W204 i presume as its not the case for older W204 models

I'm pretty sure Alfie is talking W204 post facelift NTG4.5 not pre-facelift NTG4. Only thing I'm not certain about is NTG4 firmware update, my (old and failing, admittedly) memory says I've read that NTG4 firmware updates come on the DVD's, but I can't say for sure. I do know that I've updated my maps twice using "second user" genuine MB DVD's, and a member on MBOA bought a new set of MB DVD's recently, had his Dad's car updated during a service, and there was no firmware update for his 2008 NTG4 involved in updating to 2014.

 

[skahigh]

Just to be clear, my car is a 2007 so I guess that's NTG4. Is there likely to be any benefit to updated comand firmware?

 

[markjay]

On my NTG2.5, firmware update and maps update are not the same.

Firmware updates were done by Alfie using STAR, while the maps updates are an easy DIY task from a set of two DVDs.

With regards the latter, just stick the first DVD in the drive and use the car normally. The maps update will load one bit a a a time, across several journeys. The only limitation when nusing this method is that you can not use the Navi option until the process is complete and last DVD finished loading.

Not sure if this is the same for NTG4 though.

 

[Chrishazle]

Updating maps on NTG4 - see post 3.

 

[richard]

Alfie was taking about firmware updates. His post applies to NTG2.5, NTG4, NTG4.5, NTG3, NTG3.5 and NTG5.

Map updates on NTG2.5, NTG3, NTG4 are a straight loading of the disks into the system's DVD drive. Note you are only licenced to use the set of disks on one system, but as we are all aware many re-use disks. Note that you need at least a certain level of firmware to load the latest NTG2.5 maps.

NTG3.5 and NTG4.5 use disks in same way as NTG2.5 etc but need a VIN specific PIN code which is generated by Mercedes and you get charged for that- which is the answer to people re-using disks. You insert the disks in the drive and say you want to update and it asks for a 5 character PIN code.

NTG5 again has the PIN code but the map is loaded from a USB stick or a Bluray drive plugged into the USB ports in the centre arm-rest. Apparently this is much quicker but as there hasn't yet been a EU map update for NTG5 I haven't found out yet.

R

 

[skahigh]

Thanks for clearing that up.

Am I likely to need a firmware update in order to install the latest maps on NTG4 (which I'm still not 100% certain is what I have)?

Any idea what the dealers charge for a firmware update?

 

[richard]

I'm assuming your car is a W204 and not a W203. If it is a W204 then it has NTG4 (which then changed to NTG4.5 for MY2012 facelift). It has a PCMCIA slot on the front.

No one really likes to do firmware updates as there is always a risk something goes wrong with the head unit (flash memory failure) and it turns to a brick which upsets everyone and costs the customer a lot of £££ as unit no longer under warranty. I imagine about 1.5-2 hours labour charge.

BUT. you shouldn't need it for the latest maps on NTG4 on W204.

If you are near M3 J3, we can do it for you (contact alfie on Mercedes Retrofit Specialist - Comand.co.uk )

R

 

[skahigh]

Thanks Richard, unfortunately I'm not close at all as I'm in Cardiff.