Does my COMAND (NTG 2.5) need a disk to update maps?

[Ari]

Car in for a service (further to my 'Value service' thread I ended up taking on a service plan thing whereby I paid for two years of services at an advantageous rate, the next one is a real biggie apparently!)

As part of this, I was told I'd get free software update that would include map updates (as an aside, I'm sure I'd read somewhere that COMAND came with free updates for life anyway as part of the £2,000+ cost of the option when new, but can't remember where I saw that).

Just had a call from the service manager to say that they can't update mine as it requires a two disc DVD set (at a cost of £99) plus an update to the 'software and telemetrics' to allow it to be updated.

The thing is, it's the NTG 2.5 which I believe is hard drive driven, it doesn't run off a disc. I queried this and was told 'ah, but you still need the disc to update the hard drive'. I asked whether this was a special one use disc (ie why can't they use the discs in other cars, why do I need to buy it just for mine)? They're all different apparently...

What's odder still is that when I first had the car serviced (I bought it at three years old so it was the fourth service) they updated the maps FOC with none of this bother so I'm a tiny bit sceptical about the whole thing.

The car is a registered March 2009 SLK with COMAND, it's the facelift SLK with the newer COMAND unit (the one with the SD card slot above the DVD/CD slot).

Anyone got any thoughts?

[Greenmantle]

Ari

Give Dave a call at MBS Southampton - he will cut through the BS and give you a straight answer - you might need to give him your VIN.

John

[V10 SPM]

I am amazed at the lack of knowledge on this subject by Mercedes-Benz dealerships. I recently asked my local dealer if I could extend the mapping (I want maps for eastern Europe as well as the standard western European mapping). They were totally incapable of answering and even Mercedes-Benz UK didn't seem to know. I still don't know if I can simply buy a CD with the extra maps and load it or whether this will overwrite the existing maps. Anyone done this themselves?

[dragonheart]

I have my SLK covered by the Mercedes Service Plan and i to was told this would include free software updates and as such I booked the car into Mercedes Benz of Exeter to have this done. My car also has the NTG 2.5 so i noted the software and hardware version numbers before the car went in. On return i checked these numbers again to see that nothing on the Comand unit had been updated. I then went into the dealers to ask why? I was told that the Comand update was not included in the free software updates package, to which i pointed out in a rather firm way that when i was sold the service plan i was told that all software updates were free and that no mention was made that the Comand updates would come at extra cost. They relented fairly easily(busy showroom) and took the car in next day for the Comand update.

[Ari]

dragonheart said:

I have my SLK covered by the Mercedes Service Plan and i to was told this would include free software updates and as such I booked the car into Mercedes Benz of Exeter to have this done. My car also has the NTG 2.5 so i noted the software and hardware version numbers before the car went in. On return i checked these numbers again to see that nothing on the Comand unit had been updated. I then went into the dealers to ask why? I was told that the Comand update was not included in the free software updates package, to which i pointed out in a rather firm way that when i was sold the service plan i was told that all software updates were free and that no mention was made that the Comand updates would come at extra cost. They relented fairly easily(busy showroom) and took the car in next day for the Comand update.

Interesting. Same dealer...

When you say COMAND update, do you mean the maps or just any operational software updates?

Incidentally, I also checked when I took out the service plan and was told it would cover the COMAND unit...

[dragonheart]

Ari said:

dragonheart said:

I have my SLK covered by the Mercedes Service Plan and i to was told this would include free software updates and as such I booked the car into Mercedes Benz of Exeter to have this done. My car also has the NTG 2.5 so i noted the software and hardware version numbers before the car went in. On return i checked these numbers again to see that nothing on the Comand unit had been updated. I then went into the dealers to ask why? I was told that the Comand update was not included in the free software updates package, to which i pointed out in a rather firm way that when i was sold the service plan i was told that all software updates were free and that no mention was made that the Comand updates would come at extra cost. They relented fairly easily(busy showroom) and took the car in next day for the Comand update.

Interesting. Same dealer...

When you say COMAND update, do you mean the maps or just any operational software updates?

Incidentally, I also checked when I took out the service plan and was told it would cover the COMAND unit...

Maps and all operational software were updated. My unit was still at it's factory original state before the updates. New maps also give the option of an eco route to with the other route options. If i remember correctly the salesman/employees name was Matt Bond.

[Ari]

Well that's annoying. I was told categorically that maps could not be updated without the purchase of a DVD for £99 which I would have to pay for.

[Ari]

Also, how old is your car DH?

[dragonheart]

Ari said:

Also, how old is your car DH?

Car is a 2009 facelift R171. Maybe their policy is to charge for map upgrades but they failed to disclose this to me when i took out my service plan which is why i made a fuss when they failed to update the Comand unit as part of the free software updates. I'm obviously not telling you how to handle your situation but perhaps a raised voice in the busy showroom might help. It worked for me.

[Ari]

That's exactly what I have, so that's helpful.

I had a call today from the dealer checking I was happy with the service I received so I expressed my disappointment at the situation. He said he'll look into it. We'll see...