Final Map Update for 2005 SLK 350

6368 Views 17 Replies 9 Participants Last post by cyberdrakon, Jan 30, 2016

zagava

Discussion Starter · Dec 18, 2015

I own a 2005 SLK 350 with COMAND and navigation. I purchased the car used and it came with the original map DVD from 2005. This is obviously very dated but I don't use the navigation very much so I have not bothered updating the map DVD to date.

I just received my annual e-mail from Mercedes offering to sell me the latest map update DVD. However, this year they indicate that it will be the final one for this version of COMAND. In view of this I am thinking of purchasing the update. Upon reviewing various prior threads on updated map DVDs there is reference to needed firmware updates for the COMAND head unit in order to use updated maps.

Does anyone know if updating the maps for my navigation system will be as simple as loading the new DVD into the navigation unit in the trunk or will I also need to update the firmware in the COMAND head unit? If I do need to update the firmware , how is this done?

Many thanks Zagava

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1 - 18 of 18 Posts

SoCalBeachRunner

· #2 · Dec 18, 2015

I, too, recently received this notice for my 06. I've updated before and it appeared the required firmware updates for the navigation computer to use the new maps were included on the map DVD as part of the map update. When the new map DVD was inserted into the trunk/boot navigation computer the head unit underwent some sort of update that took a few minutes, after which it appeared to reboot, and then new maps worked.

There was at least one firmware update for these NTG1 units that was usually performed by the dealer in the USA and it updated the head unit to work with enhancements to mBrace in 2010, plus added the ETA feature to the head unit itself.

Reactions: 2

zagava

Discussion Starter · #3 · Dec 31, 2015

I have received the updated map DVD and the installation went exactly as SoCalBeachRunner described it.

After loading the updated map DVD into the navigation computer in the trunk, the COMAND head unit took a few minutes to reboot and then I was able to use the new maps. Hence, I was able to go from 2005 maps to 2015 maps and any necessary software updates happened automatically.

The best part is that the road where I live is now on the map.

Reactions: 4

bourgeaup

· #4 · Jan 1, 2016

Do these Navigation DVD's need to be purchased from MB? What is the cost for this upgrade? My 2006, is as you guys have stated, outdated. Thanks for any info you have!

jbanks15

· #5 · Jan 1, 2016 (Edited)

They should be bought from MB
otherwise you take a chance on a bootleg copy that will blow up your unit
plus because of the eula agreement, they cannot be legally sold
you can find them on ebay of course
But no c opyrighted links permitted on our wonderful forum

Reactions: 1

bourgeaup

· #6 · Jan 2, 2016

Roger that! Thanks.

i860

· #7 · Jan 2, 2016

bourgeaup said:
Do these Navigation DVD's need to be purchased from MB? What is the cost for this upgrade? My 2006, is as you guys have stated, outdated. Thanks for any info you have!

Theoretic yes practical no, there are so many sites with the new update dvd ( for free ) and also instruction how to do your HD update and map update.

jbanks15

· #8 · Jan 2, 2016

comand updates are free from MB

here is an example

Daimler AG - Service & Parts net

JiminFL

· #9 · Jan 2, 2016

jbanks15 said:
comand updates are free from MB

here is an example

Daimler AG - Service & Parts net

Hi Jeff-
Do you know if these are for the USA or for Europe? All info on that site indicates European origins.

jbanks15

· #10 · Jan 2, 2016

yes that is just for Europe. we have never found a download site for USA models.
MB usa might do it for free on a visit. or you might already have had it updated if you have the eta at the bottom of your screen

Reactions: 1

SoCalBeachRunner

· #11 · Jan 2, 2016

The dealership upgraded my head unit software at no charge when I signed up for an mBrace free trial in 2010.

You can buy a new map DVD from MB or directly from the manufacturer, navigation.com. I get a paper letter and order from Navigation.com every year and it's always $250 w/ free shipping.

If your local MB dealership offers parts specials you might get one for less, e.g. I visited the dealer's web site and used a "20% off parts" coupon to get the last update I ever bought for less.

There are also sometimes auto parts sellers offering these on eBay, new in the box or from salvage cars. Seems if these were prohibited eBay would shut them down. Avoid too-good-to-be-true deals that aren't an original manufacturer disk, something the seller burned at home to pirate the disk.

Honestly, I never saw much difference year over year, even after reporting map errors in years prior that remain unaddressed. What they do seem to update are the Points of Interest if you ever use the onboard navigation to search for, say, a nearby gas station. That came in handy when we were driving back through the desert one night and needed to find a hotel - we discovered a great one while driving in the middle of nowhere in a long stretch of road with no cellular signal.

The high price of these map upgrades for data that's stale the day it's published became the motivation for the smartphone integration for COMAND NTG1 project. Some people prefer the original navigation system. Alternatively, for a little more than the price of one update I now display live Waze/Google Maps/Apple Maps on the head unit, mirrored from the phone and taking advantage of the phone's built-in hands free voice integration.

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beachcomber

· #12 · Jan 21, 2016

I also just updated my 05 with the 2015 map disk, I paid $249 at the local dealer. My head unit firmware has never been updated but the map worked just fine. I read some information that seemed to imply that if the firmware is not updated the map won't work but and that you can't go directly from a 2005 map to a 2015 but that all seems incorrect.

bourgeaup

· #13 · Jan 22, 2016

Glad to hear, now, was it worth the cost? I have a 2006 55 amg, and am curious if it is a big change? Appreciate any input on your upgrade.

beachcomber

· #14 · Jan 22, 2016

The new map was a big change, in the area I live a lot of new roads have be added. I won't need to buy a new one for a few years. I still can believe that they won't be making any more updates the update I purchased was good for a lot of newer models cars.

cyberdrakon

· #15 · Jan 23, 2016

Do you guys know what was the update you purchased called? Was there a part number/edition number/version number?
Thanks!

55russamg

· #16 · Jan 23, 2016

I have purchased an upgrade last year during a service at MB, will the Comand upgrade enable 6 digit post codes in the UK?
Or will this never be available?

beachcomber

· #17 · Jan 26, 2016

cyberdrakon said:
Do you guys know what was the update you purchased called? Was there a part number/edition number/version number?
Thanks!

Mine is called Navigation Update Comand 2015 North America
DVD part Number T1000-22759
It also has BQ6 46 0327
A211 827 50 56
Version 14.0

Reactions: 1

cyberdrakon

· #18 · Jan 30, 2016

Thank you Beachcomber!

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