GoodyAMG

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

W210

They seem to have forgotten to turn on the instrumental cluster Nav feature and might not have used the most updated mapping software.

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.

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.

krispykrme

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.

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.

GoodyAMG

It cost me $1521 but when I was checking out they told me they forgot to charge me for the navigation disk.

krispykrme

Okay let me clarify this.

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.

Apollo

How come you get comand at less than half the price of what we pay in the UK.

scorchie

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-

EX-BEEMER

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.

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

Apollo

Hi

UK Comand factory fitted option cost equivalent to $3500. OK I can play DVD's but what a difference in price. Something not right here.

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.

but then again, until someone prove that to me. I still do not believe that is doable.

krispykrme

Beshoff is now offering retrofit. However I do not know how much it cost. But I do not have good experience with their service and part department. Never seems to catch any problem nor has any clue.

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.

GoodyAMG

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.

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-

krispykrme

Not necessary. There are DVD combo controller chipset out there. Depends on how the firmware is setup and board is designed. You could disable the DVD function while keep the CD-ROM function.

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.

BryBenz

My E has factory Nav, Do I need to buy the whole 3grand euro nav to b able to watch DVD. thnx

t-bone

Yes.

MBenzNL

The US spec comand is completely different anyways...it has a SAT button - it has the software to support the sateliate radio and it has different phone buttons amongst some other small differences - so the units are entirely different anyways.

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,

glojo

Hi Apollo,
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

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??

W210

And I suppose no navigation in China either?

glojo

I think you are confirming my point. Different countries have different taxation policies.

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

WilliamT

Yes, there is no natvigation in China,
but the car has natvigator build in.
Just useless!!