Hi,
I recently bought a second hand 2011 CLS350 and to my disappointment, it turned out to be one of the very early models from the first 6 months of 2011 that had NTG4 installed rather then the standard NTG4.5. Given this I was thinking of getting a newer COMAND unit retro fitted into the car and rather then getting standard, outdated NTG4.5 that should have come with the car, I was wondering how new a version of COMAND I could potentially install? I know there are quite a few mechanics/workshop guys on this forum who might have an idea?

From my initial research it appears the COMAND NTG5.1 unit from both the W218 and W212 (E Class) are the same face unit & display size so I should in theory be able to buy a used 2015 W212 kit and install it in my W218 ... or am I incorrect in this assumption?

I also noticed that on the NTG 5.1 there is a retrofit Carplay kit option available using A2468203800 (Code 14U) which appears to be compatible with all NTG5.1 models except W212 (head unit I planned on using) ... but is how ever compatible with CLS C218 (09/14-) & X218 (09/14-), the new facelift models that have nearly identical interior & dash to the older C218 model that I have. Given the Carplay kit (14U) requires NTG 5.1 (or newer) it would explain why it is incompatible with CLS models prior to 2014, but given all controls & fittings are all the same, if there is a NTG 5.1 retrofitted, will the Carplay housing fit in earlier C218 model despite not looking initially compatible?

I was also looking at the newer X218 COMAND NTG 5.5 and noticed once again that the although the Screen is now bigger, 8 inch vs 7 inch, it is still the same dashboard and all they have done is changed is from a recessed 7" screen to a protruding 8" using a adaptor bracket where the recessed screen hole used to be. If one was able to find the bracket to change the recessed 7" screen to a 8" protruding one, given the COMAND headunit form factor is still the same, would you potentially be able to retrofit that in an older C218 also?

Sorry for the long post with many questions, just trying to figure out what is possible and if I am missing anything on my assessment of compatibility of newer COMAND units in older model of car with same interior given Mercedes to reuse a lot of components across generations and across models such that they are interchangeable.

I would be looking to get UK (London) based shop/individual to do all fitting & configuration if anyone has suggestions & recommendations?

 

Follow my progress in this mission here:

https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...ml#post6890808

 

Wow, amazing work, this is exactly what I was thinking but knew way too little to be sure it could work. Not sure how your going to address navigation issue but hopefull camera just requires slight SAM adjustment and is not flat out incompatible. Will follow your progress indeed!

Do you know by any chance why the CarPlay retrofit kit for NTG 5.1 is specifically incompatible with W212? Is it a fitting/slot restriction or do you think the 2016 W212 kit (I presume your using) has some software/hardware incompatibility?

 

All can be done. They use the same comands. Mine even have a W218 partnumber.

 

There's absolutely no reason why a 2016 CLS's system shouldn't work inside an earlier model. It's only a matter of finding the correct parts. I just wish someone knew how to do all of this so i could drop off my car, and pick it up the next day. I don't want to worry about all these part numbers and crap.

 

I will list all needed parts when mine is done..

 

hello, i have A-class w176 2014's.
it had ntg4.5 so i'd like to upgrade ntg5.1.
i found cla's ntg5.1 units by Ebay
how many connectors are diffrent?
does it like yours?
please answer.
i live in south korea. so i can't get any info about this..

 

Hello, whether someone is able to make a retrofit in W218 to comand 5.1 with new screen

 

That is no prob...

 

OK can send me in private message what parts need for this retrofit, thanks

 

I can get you all you need... mail me chris@mbsca.com

 

Apple Carplay For Any Car:
http://*****************/carplay.aspx
finally

 

Any update on this? An actual retrofit, Chris's option is the android screen , not exactly a Ntg5 retrofit.

 

You have that as well here:

and alot of threads made by me on this.

 

Good job! That seems really expensive though. Do you sell a package, if so, how much?

 

Shoot me an Email. Have a few in stock..

 

I don't know if this is too off-topic. If it is I'll re-post somewhere else..

I own a MB CLS shootingbrake with the smartphone integration package. The problem is that I only have Apple CarPlay and not android auto. The vehicle was manufactured in May 2016. I've read on other forums that people, in the same situation as me, have been able to add android auto through updates / firmware updates provided by their dealerships. I've been in contact with several dealerships here in Sweden, and most of them have no idea what I'm talking about. I got to talk to one guy at a dealership who confirmed that he had done a similar update on an A-class, but when I later called the same place and talked to some other guy they said it wasn't possible....

I would be grateful for any input on the matter! Thank!

 

Hello,

I have a 2015 (built May 2015) W218 CLS63s. I am trying to anyhow make it possible to activate Apple CarPlay. My COMAND system seems not to be prepared for that. I have 2 regular USB ports in the arm rest. Non of them has the screen mirroring symbol.
I tried some OBD2 activation tool (seller said, it should work, starting at model year 04/2015) It did not work. (Other sellers say CLS class W218 12/2015 or even later).
Would it help to install the part # 246-820-38-00 OEM smart phone integration kit? Can I even connect that to my existing COMAND system? I also read, that my COMAND might not have sufficient memory to be able to handle Apple CarPlay. So much different information.
What would happen, if nothing from the upper thing would work, if I would replace the COMAND head unit with a MY 2016 or newer? What kind of issues I have to calculate in this scenario? What I would also like to know, what's the COMAND version I have (NTG 5.x), and which version supports the Apple CarPlay (COMAND NTG 5.x????)

I would appreciate any helpful feedback. Thanks!!!

 

can I just install a newer comand? Where does this need to come from? Let’s say, I’d find an upgraded one online, would it be plug and play?

 

I was in the same situation with you. I have a 2016 CLS 4Matic with smartphone integration package with Apple CarPlay, but no Android Auto. It took couple of trips, but my dealer was able to activate Android Auto with coding change. It did not require any hardware change, so it is possible. Good luck.

 

hi Chris
can I have one question for you? I retrofitted ngt5*1
to my gla and I have also sec. pin code but when I am trying to entry in it by vediamo its loosing connection and nothing happened but I can do coding like language change screen image chane just this doesn’t work... any idea ? Any help will be great..
regards Vik

 

Hho Chris
one is in download right and one in routine?
I am doing it in bouth alway start and thinking for long tim than say lost connection
could be the pin code wrong?

 

This is the two places you mean? I am kind of new to this

 

Have I put it in in like first in dl and second in rt or its doesn’t matter?

 

This is what I get no matter what