Trouble with Nav retrofit...
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Altanta, GA
2004 E55
Trouble with Nav retrofit...
My dealer just retrofit navigation into my 2004 E55. I can see that the system is picking up multiple GPS but it doesn't track correctly on the map. Also, the directions do not display on the instrument cluster. They car is going back in this week but I was wondering if anyone had any advise in the mean time.
Thanks, GoodyAMG
Thanks, GoodyAMG
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,425
Likes: 0
2000 W210 E55->2003 R230 SL500->2004 W211 E55->2007 997TT+2007 E63->2010 GLK350->2012 E550 4matic
Your dealer is to be blamed
They seem to have forgotten to turn on the instrumental cluster Nav feature and might not have used the most updated mapping software.
Super Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 576
Likes: 0
From: Midwest
'08 SL550 Sport, '11 BMW 550ix M sport
Goody...I'm considering the same proceedure. If you don't mind my asking, how much $ did your dealer charge you? Mine is quoting $1660 installed.
Is the unit exactly like the factory unit? I know it mounts in the trunk but my goal is to eventually use the NAV-TV kit when it becomes available for the W211 to add DVD viewing.
Is the unit exactly like the factory unit? I know it mounts in the trunk but my goal is to eventually use the NAV-TV kit when it becomes available for the W211 to add DVD viewing.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 974
Likes: 1
From: fremont, ca
04 E55
It looks like the dealer did not reprogam your car correctly. My was done by Steve and it worked like a charm.
Steve is looking into if TV tuner can be added without replacing the command. So to be advised.
However, I was told over the weekend by my salesman that our command can play DVD. I was told that mercedes simply disconnected a wire inside the command that took out the function. He states that I can bring my car in and he would take care of that for me.
I will drop my car off this weekend and see how that goes. But I really think he is just an idiot.
Steve is looking into if TV tuner can be added without replacing the command. So to be advised.
However, I was told over the weekend by my salesman that our command can play DVD. I was told that mercedes simply disconnected a wire inside the command that took out the function. He states that I can bring my car in and he would take care of that for me.
I will drop my car off this weekend and see how that goes. But I really think he is just an idiot.
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Altanta, GA
2004 E55
Originally posted by krispykrme
However, I was told over the weekend by my salesman that our command can play DVD. I was told that mercedes simply disconnected a wire inside the command that took out the function. He states that I can bring my car in and he would take care of that for me.
However, I was told over the weekend by my salesman that our command can play DVD. I was told that mercedes simply disconnected a wire inside the command that took out the function. He states that I can bring my car in and he would take care of that for me.
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Altanta, GA
2004 E55
Originally posted by EX-BEEMER
Goody...I'm considering the same proceedure. If you don't mind my asking, how much $ did your dealer charge you? Mine is quoting $1660 installed.
Goody...I'm considering the same proceedure. If you don't mind my asking, how much $ did your dealer charge you? Mine is quoting $1660 installed.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 974
Likes: 1
From: fremont, ca
04 E55
Originally posted by GoodyAMG
I breifly tried a DVD movie but got a message back on the Command screen saying something like not a NAV-DVD. Let me know how it works out for you.
I breifly tried a DVD movie but got a message back on the Command screen saying something like not a NAV-DVD. Let me know how it works out for you.
One the DVD nav drive in the trunk will not play DVD movies.
I am talking about the Command itself. There is a single CD slot on your command. For european version. That single CD slot can be used to play DVD on the command screen.
However, US version lost that function. Steve used his stardiagnose to check out the US command. However, it seems that US command does not have DVD capability. It appears that the single CD slot on the command is a CD drive not DVD drive.
What my sales is claiming that the command for US does come with DVD drive upfront. The internal wiring were simply disconnected. So what my salesman is offering me is that he will have his service department to open up the command and re-attach the wire and DVD play back will be enabled on the command using the single slot on the front.
However, I really do not think it would work. So i will advise this on later date.
Trending Topics
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: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,559
Likes: 4
From: Las Vegas, NV USA / London, UK
GL320CDI / C63 Edition 507 Coupe (EDP) / E63 S (on order) / G500 / Smart Brabus
We get COMAND at a price infinitely cheaper than the UK. COMAND is standard with all MY2004 W211/S211 cars.
Navigation is a completely different thing; it is US$1200 for factory installed, around US$1600 for dealer installed.
Note that the US-spec COMAND is lower functionality than the European-spec COMAND in the UK, it does not play DVDs in the dash.
I don't believe that the US-spec COMAND just has a wire disconnected... as a matter of fact, the interface between a DVD drive and CD drive is generally the same, there is a stepper motor and a controller for the laser reader. In a DVD drive, the controller for the laser is different; not just something disconnected.
-s-
Navigation is a completely different thing; it is US$1200 for factory installed, around US$1600 for dealer installed.
Note that the US-spec COMAND is lower functionality than the European-spec COMAND in the UK, it does not play DVDs in the dash.
I don't believe that the US-spec COMAND just has a wire disconnected... as a matter of fact, the interface between a DVD drive and CD drive is generally the same, there is a stepper motor and a controller for the laser reader. In a DVD drive, the controller for the laser is different; not just something disconnected.
-s-
Super Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 576
Likes: 0
From: Midwest
'08 SL550 Sport, '11 BMW 550ix M sport
Krispy... I hope your tech guy is right, but I have to admit it sounds too simple.
Please keep us informed on his progress.
Thanks for the info Goody...I'm still kicking myself for not ordering it in the first place.
Please keep us informed on his progress.
Thanks for the info Goody...I'm still kicking myself for not ordering it in the first place.
Last edited by EX-BEEMER; May 3, 2004 at 10:29 PM.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 27
Likes: 1
My san Francisco dealer is STILL not offering me the retrofitting of the Nav.... I think they got scared since the 2003 Model incidents
So if anyone knows another dealer around the SF bay area that will do the nav retrofitting, please let me know
thanks
So if anyone knows another dealer around the SF bay area that will do the nav retrofitting, please let me know
thanks
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 974
Likes: 1
From: fremont, ca
04 E55
Originally posted by scorchie
I don't believe that the US-spec COMAND just has a wire disconnected... as a matter of fact, the interface between a DVD drive and CD drive is generally the same, there is a stepper motor and a controller for the laser reader. In a DVD drive, the controller for the laser is different; not just something disconnected.
-s-
I don't believe that the US-spec COMAND just has a wire disconnected... as a matter of fact, the interface between a DVD drive and CD drive is generally the same, there is a stepper motor and a controller for the laser reader. In a DVD drive, the controller for the laser is different; not just something disconnected.
-s-
There are chances that my sales could be right. Because it would be easier for MB to only order one standard command system and disconnect the contact.
but then again, until someone prove that to me. I still do not believe that is doable.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 974
Likes: 1
From: fremont, ca
04 E55
Originally posted by macrossvfx
My san Francisco dealer is STILL not offering me the retrofitting of the Nav.... I think they got scared since the 2003 Model incidents
So if anyone knows another dealer around the SF bay area that will do the nav retrofitting, please let me know
thanks
My san Francisco dealer is STILL not offering me the retrofitting of the Nav.... I think they got scared since the 2003 Model incidents
So if anyone knows another dealer around the SF bay area that will do the nav retrofitting, please let me know
thanks
Or you can contact Steve. Steve should be in bay area again very shortly. Quick and professional in retro-fitting nav on my E500. You would probably have the best install.
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Altanta, GA
2004 E55
Still having issues with my Nav retrofit...
Dealer has been trying to diagnose for 2 days. Replaced DVD unit and antenna but the nav is still not tracking. Screen shows as many as eight GPS.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,559
Likes: 4
From: Las Vegas, NV USA / London, UK
GL320CDI / C63 Edition 507 Coupe (EDP) / E63 S (on order) / G500 / Smart Brabus
Originally posted by krispykrme
No it could be. The difference is a controller. Most likely either MB has severed connections to the DVD controller. Or swapped the drive controller.
There are chances that my sales could be right. Because it would be easier for MB to only order one standard command system and disconnect the contact.
No it could be. The difference is a controller. Most likely either MB has severed connections to the DVD controller. Or swapped the drive controller.
There are chances that my sales could be right. Because it would be easier for MB to only order one standard command system and disconnect the contact.
In a drive, the controller is usually one LSI, and that one LSI is either enabled for DVD or only for CD-ROM. There is not a "CD controller" and a "DVD controller" and one can disconnect the DVD controller, leaving the CD controller intact. The controller must be replaced.
I will prove it to you when Steve returns.
Yes, it would be easier to order one standard device for all areas. However, at the volumes that Mercedes operates (100K units per year minimum), small savings quickly add up.
-s-
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 974
Likes: 1
From: fremont, ca
04 E55
Originally posted by scorchie
Well, no, it couldn't be just a wire, and your last statement ("swapped the drive controller") is not just disconnecting a wire.
In a drive, the controller is usually one LSI, and that one LSI is either enabled for DVD or only for CD-ROM. There is not a "CD controller" and a "DVD controller" and one can disconnect the DVD controller, leaving the CD controller intact. The controller must be replaced.
I will prove it to you when Steve returns.
Yes, it would be easier to order one standard device for all areas. However, at the volumes that Mercedes operates (100K units per year minimum), small savings quickly add up.
-s-
Well, no, it couldn't be just a wire, and your last statement ("swapped the drive controller") is not just disconnecting a wire.
In a drive, the controller is usually one LSI, and that one LSI is either enabled for DVD or only for CD-ROM. There is not a "CD controller" and a "DVD controller" and one can disconnect the DVD controller, leaving the CD controller intact. The controller must be replaced.
I will prove it to you when Steve returns.
Yes, it would be easier to order one standard device for all areas. However, at the volumes that Mercedes operates (100K units per year minimum), small savings quickly add up.
-s-
Pretty much any controller maker would off such capabilities. That's why I am not complete dissing what my dealer is telling me.
It could just happen that MB did disconnect wires that is preventing DVD signal to be outputed. No one knows for sure. But in terms of controller. It's possible to prevent DVD function while maintaing CD-ROM function. Such chipsets does exist.
I do not think even with 100k unit per year, that the controller saving would be more than 50k. My brother in-law works for media tek in taiwan. I could ask him for price difference.
However, it would be more costly for MB to maintain two seperate models just because of a controller chip. Cost of carrying inventory would be higher than difference in chip cost.
It's not matter of proof. I just want to get to the bottom of this.
Former Vendor of MBWorld
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 4,011
Likes: 3
From: global traveller
some slow@$$diesels
Originally posted by krispykrme
However, it would be more costly for MB to maintain two seperate models just because of a controller chip. Cost of carrying inventory would be higher than difference in chip cost.
However, it would be more costly for MB to maintain two seperate models just because of a controller chip. Cost of carrying inventory would be higher than difference in chip cost.
However - as I was chatting with a knowledgeable MB tech yesterday, it seems that the very first few US spec W211 comands actually had a DVD drive in the headunit but that was quickly changed...so it might be that you salesman is refering to those comands when thinking that the DVD can be brought back to live easily.
I did trade in a US spec W211 comand last week (2004) and want to take it home for some software checks and downloads...I still believe that this unit has a simple CD rom drive instead of a DVD drive though...
greetingz,
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,917
Likes: 14
From: Torquay, England
E-class E300e Estate, Sprinter (stretched limo)
Originally posted by Apollo
How come you get comand at less than half the price of what we pay in the UK.
How come you get comand at less than half the price of what we pay in the UK.
I do not think it fair to compare our price differentials. I have just been onto MBUSA site and the basic cost of a E500 is $57,045. I fully understand that this is the very basic price and no doubt there will be all sorts of accessories and perhaps state taxes to be added.
Maths and morphine make very poor bed fellows but I used a figure of $1.70 to the £ and came up with a figure of £33555 compared to a UK price of £43,080 and £43,750 OTR (On The Road price)
Me thinks I could have purchased an E55 AMG Estate for the price I paid (If the US imported it)
If you really want cheering up, ask Oslo about the price of a new E500 in Norway. (not taxi discount price
)Regards,
John
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,425
Likes: 0
2000 W210 E55->2003 R230 SL500->2004 W211 E55->2007 997TT+2007 E63->2010 GLK350->2012 E550 4matic
No mapping software?
Originally posted by WilliamT
Maybe you don't know how much I paid for my E320 in CHINA.
It's about USD$125,000.
What do you guys think??
Maybe you don't know how much I paid for my E320 in CHINA.
It's about USD$125,000.
What do you guys think??
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,917
Likes: 14
From: Torquay, England
E-class E300e Estate, Sprinter (stretched limo)
Originally posted by WilliamT
Maybe you don't know how much I paid for my E320 in CHINA.
It's about USD$125,000.
What do you guys think??
Maybe you don't know how much I paid for my E320 in CHINA.
It's about USD$125,000.
What do you guys think??
We could really get me going with fuel prices, but I can afford to buy my car, and I can afford to put fuel in it.
Regards,
John
