C300 Dashboard software upgrade
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Newbie
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 8
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From: Pittsburgh
2008 C300
C300 Dashboard software upgrade
I have 2008 C300. Last month, I had to take it to the dealer. (Check Engine). My bad. I replaced engine air filter DIY. Didn't do good job and it was not seated properly.
Anyway - I was given a loaner. 2012 C300. Awesome. I noticed few interior changes. All good. One thing I particularly liked is the Screen in speedometer. It is colorful, smooth and looks nicer.
I started wondering is it purely a software change? Can one upgrade 2008 screen software to look like 2012?
Anyway - I was given a loaner. 2012 C300. Awesome. I noticed few interior changes. All good. One thing I particularly liked is the Screen in speedometer. It is colorful, smooth and looks nicer.
I started wondering is it purely a software change? Can one upgrade 2008 screen software to look like 2012?
Super Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 816
Likes: 21
2008 W204
I have 2008 C300. Last month, I had to take it to the dealer. (Check Engine). My bad. I replaced engine air filter DIY. Didn't do good job and it was not seated properly.
Anyway - I was given a loaner. 2012 C300. Awesome. I noticed few interior changes. All good. One thing I particularly liked is the Screen in speedometer. It is colorful, smooth and looks nicer.
I started wondering is it purely a software change? Can one upgrade 2008 screen software to look like 2012?
Anyway - I was given a loaner. 2012 C300. Awesome. I noticed few interior changes. All good. One thing I particularly liked is the Screen in speedometer. It is colorful, smooth and looks nicer.
I started wondering is it purely a software change? Can one upgrade 2008 screen software to look like 2012?
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,071
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Nissan GT-R BE / '12 Ducati-1199 Panigale S / '12 C300-4M Loaded/GLK350-4M Loaded
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LOADED 08' C350 & 14' GLK-350 Diamond White (P1, MM, AMG Pkg, Ln Trkng, Htd Sts, Keylss Go)
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C320 CDI 4Matic
Here in Germany, Markus has just successfully fitted the gauge cluster from the 2012 W212 E-Class (essentially this one) in his W204.
That cluster has the new full color LCD, but the old shape that fits both the W212 and the W204 (the dials are a little different – the E-Class has an analogue clock). As it does not belong in a C-Class, some custom programming has to be done. From what it seems MB is not able to do it, because the part does not belong in the car and their online coding system will not allow it. But it can be done offline with Developer Star Diagnosis. When programmed properly it does not throw any errors.
It is a REALLY interesting conversion, I think, I'm looking to make this change on my C-Class myself. But it is a "brand new" mod that has only been done once from what I can see (but swapping the old monochrome W212 gauges into a W204 has also been done before), so there is still some experience to be gathered.
edit: BTW, the new gauge cluster from the post-facelift W204 should not fit, as the dash is a completely different shape.
That cluster has the new full color LCD, but the old shape that fits both the W212 and the W204 (the dials are a little different – the E-Class has an analogue clock). As it does not belong in a C-Class, some custom programming has to be done. From what it seems MB is not able to do it, because the part does not belong in the car and their online coding system will not allow it. But it can be done offline with Developer Star Diagnosis. When programmed properly it does not throw any errors.
It is a REALLY interesting conversion, I think, I'm looking to make this change on my C-Class myself. But it is a "brand new" mod that has only been done once from what I can see (but swapping the old monochrome W212 gauges into a W204 has also been done before), so there is still some experience to be gathered.
edit: BTW, the new gauge cluster from the post-facelift W204 should not fit, as the dash is a completely different shape.
Last edited by hannes; Dec 22, 2011 at 08:03 AM.
