MB Coding Possible?
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Joined: Jan 2019
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AMG E53 214.063; BMW IXM
MB Coding Possible?
Hello All!!
I am new to the world of Mercedes- Benz as I have owned (and still do) own several BMW’s.
I have been able to program various features that are utherwise not available in the US or was not sold as apart of the inital package for the BMW’s. As well as update the software for the “brain” of the vehicle and improving various functions - kinda like bug fixes if you will.
I have been searching trying to find similar guidance for the same type of thing for the MB but to no avail, why is that exactly? Can someone either point me in the right direction or explain why it is not possible.
Thanks!
I am new to the world of Mercedes- Benz as I have owned (and still do) own several BMW’s.
I have been able to program various features that are utherwise not available in the US or was not sold as apart of the inital package for the BMW’s. As well as update the software for the “brain” of the vehicle and improving various functions - kinda like bug fixes if you will.
I have been searching trying to find similar guidance for the same type of thing for the MB but to no avail, why is that exactly? Can someone either point me in the right direction or explain why it is not possible.
Thanks!
MBWorld Fanatic!
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A gaggle of MB's
For year/model - on the Performance Side there are ECU tunes and "Piggy-Back" tuners that can be available - best to start with RennTech to research and go from there - and Function Side by year/model there can be certain added function or settings that can be modified with a OBD 3rd party module - and eBay is a good place to start with that with the best OBD module guy on eBay is Vladimir from Belarus
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Joined: Jan 2019
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2016 C300
Hi Avi8tor, I am in the same boat as you. The MB world is a lot different than BMW. I use to do my own coding as well. For MB, it seems you need their Star control box to connect to the car instead of a simple OBD2 cable. The chinese star boxes are the most affordable but still pricey. I was estimating like $600 to get started. Then there is not a lot of support on here to help you through it. It seems there are a few that know how to do it, but they would rather charge ridiculous prices than pass it along to everyone. The ebay stuff is an option, but to me is a risk and still pricey. they want like $140 to activate video in motion (something I did on my BMW for the price of the $7 cable). Good luck, and let me know if you find anything different.
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A gaggle of MB's
Frankly the "tech" on new Gen MB's is a bit more sophisticated the past-Gen BMW - and you will be disappointed if you gear-up with hacked-Star-system - you won't find the "hidden features" you would like to think that are there....
On accessory feature activation - the well designed OBD plug-in's correctly modify the car coding - again Vladimir is the got-to on eBay - with your VIN he will be able to tell you what is-and-is-not possible in this realm for your MB..
On accessory feature activation - the well designed OBD plug-in's correctly modify the car coding - again Vladimir is the got-to on eBay - with your VIN he will be able to tell you what is-and-is-not possible in this realm for your MB..
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 7
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2016 C300
Frankly the "tech" on new Gen MB's is a bit more sophisticated the past-Gen BMW - and you will be disappointed if you gear-up with hacked-Star-system - you won't find the "hidden features" you would like to think that are there....
On accessory feature activation - the well designed OBD plug-in's correctly modify the car coding - again Vladimir is the got-to on eBay - with your VIN he will be able to tell you what is-and-is-not possible in this realm for your MB..
On accessory feature activation - the well designed OBD plug-in's correctly modify the car coding - again Vladimir is the got-to on eBay - with your VIN he will be able to tell you what is-and-is-not possible in this realm for your MB..
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 76
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AMG E53 214.063; BMW IXM
Thanks guys. I have done more digging and I am quite disappointed with what I had found.
It would appear that the scope is rather limited in what can be done and the cost of entry just simply does not justify it.
I had assumed that the level of control (if you will) of the on board computer was at the same level of a BMW but apparently not quite yet.
kapkanimd knows what I am speaking of and understands with the BMW'S system how code refinement and subsequent OS updates improves or even adds feature sets to the Bavarian Machine.
Sadly for the most part this is not the case with MB.
Thanks everyone for your help!
It would appear that the scope is rather limited in what can be done and the cost of entry just simply does not justify it.
I had assumed that the level of control (if you will) of the on board computer was at the same level of a BMW but apparently not quite yet.
kapkanimd knows what I am speaking of and understands with the BMW'S system how code refinement and subsequent OS updates improves or even adds feature sets to the Bavarian Machine.
Sadly for the most part this is not the case with MB.
Thanks everyone for your help!
Last edited by Avi8tor; Jan 31, 2019 at 05:00 PM.
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A gaggle of MB's
In the '90's the Mercedes wiring harness for a year/model was the same for all vehicles built that year - so later you wanted to "add" a options you didn't have - it was quite possible you could get the hardware and plug in. Now - the wiring harness for a particular MB is made specific to the features that specific MB will have - yes, adding "options" later doesn't work like it did in the '90's
Operating systems are now moving forward to being "linked" to that specific VIN# - in a similar fashion - so in essence there isn't anything "extra" pre-coded and waiting in there for someone to fuss with.
This even has affected dealers more so - and in this emerging system environment - what used to be menu coded/reprogrammed from Star/Xentry - lets says Climate Control coding has become corrupted - thru the cloud often now that can only be redone by requesting specific unlock code for that VIN for that feature - or increasingly can only be done by online-from-MB for that car - and usually the "cloud" stuff tends to be dead slow for the update.
The good news - the next generation is being designed so that cloud stuff can be done remote - direct with your MB - so at-home-or-office updates to your MB will be done.
There are coders - specifically the E-Euro guys seem to be best so far - that can offer OBD coding modules that can "add" or "modify" certain features (depending on yr/model)... we will see what we will see
Operating systems are now moving forward to being "linked" to that specific VIN# - in a similar fashion - so in essence there isn't anything "extra" pre-coded and waiting in there for someone to fuss with.
This even has affected dealers more so - and in this emerging system environment - what used to be menu coded/reprogrammed from Star/Xentry - lets says Climate Control coding has become corrupted - thru the cloud often now that can only be redone by requesting specific unlock code for that VIN for that feature - or increasingly can only be done by online-from-MB for that car - and usually the "cloud" stuff tends to be dead slow for the update.
The good news - the next generation is being designed so that cloud stuff can be done remote - direct with your MB - so at-home-or-office updates to your MB will be done.
There are coders - specifically the E-Euro guys seem to be best so far - that can offer OBD coding modules that can "add" or "modify" certain features (depending on yr/model)... we will see what we will see
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2017
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From: Michigan
2017 C43 AMG
yes, the only way to "code" your Mercedes is with a mb oem or clone MUX (SDS system), with laptop running xentry or a few other programs. Yes it costs money to setup because it costs money to get. People don't give it out for free because they have to pay for it. So they want to try to make money back to at least cover their expense. That is what I did.
I run a coding business for Mercedes in the Domestic USA. Most items generally come standard on Mercedes already. for items you want to add, generally hardware and more knowledge is needed than just a plug and play solution.
you can buy a clone sds for around $400 but then you need to add a dedicated laptop. so yes cost of entry is larger, but this also gives you even more access than BMW if you know what you are doing. it takes years of learning to be able to modify things safely. that is why people charge. but its worthwhile if you want to learn. I can help you if wanted, but certain things will always cost money especially since Mercedes server access is required for a lot of things now.
I run a coding business for Mercedes in the Domestic USA. Most items generally come standard on Mercedes already. for items you want to add, generally hardware and more knowledge is needed than just a plug and play solution.
you can buy a clone sds for around $400 but then you need to add a dedicated laptop. so yes cost of entry is larger, but this also gives you even more access than BMW if you know what you are doing. it takes years of learning to be able to modify things safely. that is why people charge. but its worthwhile if you want to learn. I can help you if wanted, but certain things will always cost money especially since Mercedes server access is required for a lot of things now.
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AMG E53 214.063; BMW IXM
@Star4life thank you for filling in some of the blanks. This matches up with what I was told by a MB/BMW Master Tech a few days ago. The long and short of it was that he felt the BMW system was far superior than MB's and way less cumbersome. He said the MB server access etc was a pain and was prone to causing way more system bricking require new parts than BMW'S. He also cautioned against the chinese star boxes for the same reason.
I now understand the differences in both machines and appreciate the higher cost of entry to code a MB and deeper knowledge required.
Thanks again all for helping me appreciate the difference.
I now understand the differences in both machines and appreciate the higher cost of entry to code a MB and deeper knowledge required.
Thanks again all for helping me appreciate the difference.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,283
Likes: 353
From: Michigan
2017 C43 AMG
@Star4life thank you for filling in some of the blanks. This matches up with what I was told by a MB/BMW Master Tech a few days ago. The long and short of it was that he felt the BMW system was far superior than MB's and way less cumbersome. He said the MB server access etc was a pain and was prone to causing way more system bricking require new parts than BMW'S. He also cautioned against the chinese star boxes for the same reason.
I now understand the differences in both machines and appreciate the higher cost of entry to code a MB and deeper knowledge required.
Thanks again all for helping me appreciate the difference.
I now understand the differences in both machines and appreciate the higher cost of entry to code a MB and deeper knowledge required.
Thanks again all for helping me appreciate the difference.
i can get you an oem unit if you prefer but will set you back a few thousand. or you can use the new vci which is same price range. depends on how much coding you want done, but it may be cheaper jsut to pay someone such as myself, who has one and who has the experience as the learning curve is large.
Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 161
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From: USA
W205
I'd like to get a better idea and appreciation for what kind of options can be coded on the W205. On BMW's, the options are quite readily laid out by model on sites like Bimmercode, for example. For the cost of about $75 (OBD adapter and cost of phone app), I've been able to customize a number of options on my own that, on the whole, have made it more than worth it.
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Mercedes cls 250 W218
My local mechanic has Star/Xentry and I had him update the software for my 2013 CLS 250 CDI. He charges per update though so I only done the engine. MPG has improved slightly. Considering Command and Gearbox updates also. Shame it's per update would like to just update everything. He showed me the system and he had to enter the reason for the update and it all goes back to Merc HQ.
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2019
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a 45
hi I would like an informatihi I would like an information I have to encode an NTG5.1 on a w176 can you tell me if any of you do it in the remote sense by connecting to my car with the start diagnostic c4hi I would like an information I have to encode an NTG5.1 on a w176 can you tell me if any of you do it in the remote sense by connecting to my car with the start diagnostic c4on I have to encode an NTG5.1 on a w176 can you tell me if any of you do it in the remote sense by connecting to my car with the start diagnostic c4
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Joined: Feb 2019
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Mercedes cls 250 W218
Gearbox software
I have also updated my gear box software on my cls 250 CDI (218). Car definitely does not get caught out at low speed in the wrong gear on a roundabout where it used to. Figure it is worth it to prevent any possible expensive gear box issues in the future.
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A gaggle of MB's
You can "deactivate" the seat belt warning in one of two ways : $7 for a pair of seat belt eliminator inserts (check eBay) some even have a bottle open built-in - $180 or so for a OBD programing model - message Vladimir with your VIN# thru this eBay listing to see what he can program for your MB
https://www.ebay.com/itm/MERCEDES-ca...EAAOSw2iJa-n9S
https://www.ebay.com/itm/MERCEDES-ca...EAAOSw2iJa-n9S
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CLA250
Hi Folks!
Not new to Benz but new to its diagnostics ... or DIY limitations there of
I have been playing around with a C4 and did manage to monkey around and tweak little things like HVAC vent options, needle sweep, etc
Now trying to graduate to the next step of adding, say gearbox oil temperature and engine oil temperature, to the instrument cluster.
I know there are eBay modules and so forth, though curious if there are mod menus in Xentry to try?
Just a good o' 2014 US C117 NTG4.7 here ... any help or suggestions would be appreciated!
Not new to Benz but new to its diagnostics ... or DIY limitations there of
I have been playing around with a C4 and did manage to monkey around and tweak little things like HVAC vent options, needle sweep, etc
Now trying to graduate to the next step of adding, say gearbox oil temperature and engine oil temperature, to the instrument cluster.
I know there are eBay modules and so forth, though curious if there are mod menus in Xentry to try?
Just a good o' 2014 US C117 NTG4.7 here ... any help or suggestions would be appreciated!
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 286
Likes: 140
From: Bay Area, CA
2016 C300W4 (W205), Luxury Pkg, Diamond Silver Met. and Silk Beige\Espresso Interior
Hi Folks!
Not new to Benz but new to its diagnostics ... or DIY limitations there of
I have been playing around with a C4 and did manage to monkey around and tweak little things like HVAC vent options, needle sweep, etc
Now trying to graduate to the next step of adding, say gearbox oil temperature and engine oil temperature, to the instrument cluster.
I know there are eBay modules and so forth, though curious if there are mod menus in Xentry to try?
Just a good o' 2014 US C117 NTG4.7 here ... any help or suggestions would be appreciated!
Not new to Benz but new to its diagnostics ... or DIY limitations there of
I have been playing around with a C4 and did manage to monkey around and tweak little things like HVAC vent options, needle sweep, etc
Now trying to graduate to the next step of adding, say gearbox oil temperature and engine oil temperature, to the instrument cluster.
I know there are eBay modules and so forth, though curious if there are mod menus in Xentry to try?
Just a good o' 2014 US C117 NTG4.7 here ... any help or suggestions would be appreciated!
https://mbworld.org/forums/cla-coupe-c117-176/
Junior Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 65
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CLA250
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 26
Likes: 6
From: NC
2016 C300 4MATIC
Another newbie to MB here. Just bought a used 2016 C300 4matic in almost new condition with 11,500 miles. It will be a luxury daily driver for my wife and daughter, so no real higher performance is desired. Not interested in turning off seat belt indicators either.
Are there other important features that MB doesn’t update for everyone that I should be concerned about e.g. the mention of low gear shifting above. I would have thought MB would update automatically anything concerning correct vehicle operation and safety, so are the updates discussed hear something different.
Thanks for for helping me understand the thread.
