COMAND color update, help!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 130
From: NY
2010 C63 2019 GLA45
I can't make up my mind about the OEM HK unit. It's not far off, if voice control would be as good as iphone and the block on giving it instructions while in motion would go away..
If the universal interface would charge AND connect to the iphone 6 from one port, instead of charge from one and connect to the other, if the maps were not so desperately obsolete and maybe if the traffic feature was a bit more useful, I could live with it.
I can stream via the universal interface cable.
The guy at the dealer found a software for me, which combined with a PCMCIA adapter got all my contacts into the car (was far from a free software) and I am now handy with switching the connected phones from my work phone to my personal phone.
I don't really need music streaming. I had this in my aftermarket unit in my W124 and there is too little control, you mostly can skip forward and backwards.
Also, I tried to get the guys in Taiwan that sell the Star equipment to update my Command unit online via STAR, but they told me something crazy, like updating the command OS requires temporarily plugging in a special hard drive instead of the existing one.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 8,074
Likes: 2,867
From: Los Angeles
2012 P31 C63 Coupe Trackrat, 2019 GLE63S Coupe Beast
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 885
Likes: 57
From: PA
2019 E63s AMG
They can always update your HU, but they can't update it past 2012 software in a MY2012 car. So essentially they would update it to fix any bugs, but it would not give you the ability to change the color. The only way to update a MY12 to MY13 software is to bypass the Mercedes system by using Vediamo and directly flashing the software onto the compatible hardware. A dealer would not have this software or be allowed to do that as it would probably break many policies with MBUSA.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 369
Likes: 61
CLS63, S55
I think it is possible to request the latest update from mercedes headquarters and they push it to your vin number so when you go update the module using the online function with xentry it will give you the last available software and not the latest one in your year model. Not 100 percent sure on this though, I believe when a dealership needs help solving an issue they open something called a TIPS case in the system and that would be the route to get the latest information from germany.
750 is pretty expensive, I think the update at most takes about an hour to complete, I dont remember exactly I wasn't around my car while it was updating. So an hours worth of labor and a telematic disc that costs around 50 cents is what the price should be for the update.
750 is pretty expensive, I think the update at most takes about an hour to complete, I dont remember exactly I wasn't around my car while it was updating. So an hours worth of labor and a telematic disc that costs around 50 cents is what the price should be for the update.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 130
From: NY
2010 C63 2019 GLA45
So you don't think one of the hard drives has to be temporarily replaced? and who has this telematics disc? (other than dealer?)
The dealer to which I went today was talking about 2 hours and disc.
The dealer to which I went today was talking about 2 hours and disc.
Last edited by Vladds; Jul 15, 2017 at 08:00 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 369
Likes: 61
CLS63, S55
No you don't replace any hard drives. You can order a telematic disc from any mercedes parts website but there are alot of part numbers and the dealer should know the right one. Its possible it can take over an hour but probably 2 hours at most, a lot of modules get updated in the head unit. If the dealer is doing a regular update you will still have the yellow color scheme, you would only be getting the latest update within your year model. If you are going to do it with the dealer make sure they are giving the latest compatible update for the car that includes the new colors.
Last edited by Mikeki7; Jul 15, 2017 at 09:00 PM.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 130
From: NY
2010 C63 2019 GLA45
I got a hold of a part number for a 2012 telematics disc and am trying to order one online. Thy're less than a dollar.
I have Connect C5 and I'll try to update my firmware to 2012 level.
I saw the 2017 maps for $200, the dealer would want 250 + tax to do that work, I'm still looking to see if they're cheaper than 200 somewhere.
I'm also trying the universal to lightning cable. It's expensive and I have not much hope with it, but if it works, I would have the com and charging at the same time capabilities.
I have Connect C5 and I'll try to update my firmware to 2012 level.
I saw the 2017 maps for $200, the dealer would want 250 + tax to do that work, I'm still looking to see if they're cheaper than 200 somewhere.
I'm also trying the universal to lightning cable. It's expensive and I have not much hope with it, but if it works, I would have the com and charging at the same time capabilities.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 263
Likes: 22
From: Phoenix
2012 C63 AMG Coupe
Originally Posted by Vladds
I got a hold of a part number for a 2012 telematics disc and am trying to order one online. Thy're less than a dollar.
I have Connect C5 and I'll try to update my firmware to 2012 level.
I saw the 2017 maps for $200, the dealer would want 250 + tax to do that work, I'm still looking to see if they're cheaper than 200 somewhere.
I'm also trying the universal to lightning cable. It's expensive and I have not much hope with it, but if it works, I would have the com and charging at the same time capabilities.
I have Connect C5 and I'll try to update my firmware to 2012 level.
I saw the 2017 maps for $200, the dealer would want 250 + tax to do that work, I'm still looking to see if they're cheaper than 200 somewhere.
I'm also trying the universal to lightning cable. It's expensive and I have not much hope with it, but if it works, I would have the com and charging at the same time capabilities.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 130
From: NY
2010 C63 2019 GLA45
First let's see if the vendor agrees to sell me the telematics disc. Just because I clicked purchase doesn't mean I won't get a question from them asking me if I'm a dealer.
Then let's see if I can complete the update with what I have at hand, I have to figure this out.
Then I'll look into Vediamo, or Monaco. I have to read a lot more about them. I have to understand if they can coexist with what I have now on my machine and how to fire it up, so it connects to my car.
It's a process for me and it has many steps, I'm only starting to learn this.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 130
From: NY
2010 C63 2019 GLA45
So, yeah, vendor denied to sell the disc.
Plan B: ebay.
Also, I see many many postings that say in order to get map updates past 2015 whoever does the update MUST update the firmware first.
So therefore, by just going to the dealer and asking for the $250 map update special to V17 (2017), one should get the firmware update as well.
The bigger problem seems to be that figuring out the version that one has is not... that easy.
There are too many version numbers in there: maps, HU, Audio, SW,
One guy posted pre- and post- update and a group of 3 numbers changed.
It's possible they may have to update the whole command, system-wide, audio included.
So, to summarize from what has been said so far:
Best to let the dealer do this
Best to call MBNA and try to talk to them to allow for a firmware post 2012, then as the dealer does the update, MBNA pushes this version.
This last part I am not so sure though, because when the firmware is much newer then the hardware, there are glitches. And in the big command update thread, the guys that got really new firmware and enabled Bluetooth streaming, started to have some sort of other glitches associated..
I will take this different approach though. Let me try and bring this up in the private lounge, see if someone at MBNA is willing to have a dialog about it.
Did any of you successfully use the monthly lounge chat sessions to obtain info or fix a tech issue?
If not, I'll call direct.
Somewhere there should be an engineer that picks up the phone..
Plan B: ebay.
Also, I see many many postings that say in order to get map updates past 2015 whoever does the update MUST update the firmware first.
So therefore, by just going to the dealer and asking for the $250 map update special to V17 (2017), one should get the firmware update as well.
The bigger problem seems to be that figuring out the version that one has is not... that easy.
There are too many version numbers in there: maps, HU, Audio, SW,
One guy posted pre- and post- update and a group of 3 numbers changed.
It's possible they may have to update the whole command, system-wide, audio included.
So, to summarize from what has been said so far:
Best to let the dealer do this
Best to call MBNA and try to talk to them to allow for a firmware post 2012, then as the dealer does the update, MBNA pushes this version.
This last part I am not so sure though, because when the firmware is much newer then the hardware, there are glitches. And in the big command update thread, the guys that got really new firmware and enabled Bluetooth streaming, started to have some sort of other glitches associated..
I will take this different approach though. Let me try and bring this up in the private lounge, see if someone at MBNA is willing to have a dialog about it.
Did any of you successfully use the monthly lounge chat sessions to obtain info or fix a tech issue?
If not, I'll call direct.
Somewhere there should be an engineer that picks up the phone..
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 885
Likes: 57
From: PA
2019 E63s AMG
