I need some help from the forum. I was recently at the dealership when I noticed two of the same 2011 E350 that had two different dashboards. I was told by the dealer that the latest production model has the new dash that also has the internet command.

My problem is that I am buying this car out of state and its being shipped here. How do I know if mine will have the latest dash? Can you tell by the VIN number? The car is coming directly from the port (i think) so I cannot have someone look at it before.

Any help?

Your dealer is sort of right. At some point in June or maybe early July, Mercedes started to build e350's with the new comand 4.5 system and dash. I just leased one that was built in July and I have the new dash and comand 4.5.

I don't think anyone knows the exact cut over date or VIN where they made the change. The only think I can think of is to ask the build date of the car and if it's July, your chances are pretty good that it's the new dash/comand system...but no guarantees.

Where your dealer is wrong....at this point there is no internet connectivity from the comand 4.5 system. In fact it's almost exactly the 4.0 system but with the iphone connect cable in the center console and a small SD slot in the dash instead of the larger card slot. Perhaps there will be an update...
Yes, the new system has sirius weather and I think 3D views in navigation...not sure what else, but then again I never had comand 4.0 so I don't know what I have that others don't.

Thanks. Do you know if the system can be upgraded if my comes with the old version? Your also right about the center console ipod connection. Much better there then the glove box! I remember seeing the little globe at the top right of the screen. I thought that was the internet portion that allows you to tether from your phone.

Sucks as I really want to know this before I buy.

Do you know of any other changes in the model?

I have the straight fog lights, but that might be part of my P2 package (and they look terrific). I had a comand 4.0 manual and I couldn't find any function I had that wasn't in the manual, other than Sirius weather. I had no problem at all loading my iphone phone book but that might have worked on 4.0, I just don't know. The dash display seems to have the same displays and options, but with some color (non adjustable color...you get what they give you). I haven't found any other differences...but I am hopeful for some updates like internet connectivity...but no one has said that will happen. I doubt that 4.0 can be upgraded to 4.5. As far as the iphone cable in the center console, I am not sure why that is a plus...now I have to put the iphone in the center console with all the other stuff in there. Not sure this is a plus or a minus.

Do you mean a new Command face (which looks like the old one with a different little slot), or a "new dash"? I haven't heard nor seen anything even remotely resembling a new dash on an E-Class.

The break point is somewhere near serial #490000 (the last 6 digits of the VIN), I am picking up a Bluetec in a few days that is over 500K as the serial #, cant wait!

The dash looks the same, however the electronic part has more color. The command face has the small slot.

My VIN is 4937xx .....and I have the new dash/comand 4.5

Ah, you mean the actual Command screen has more color (i.e better graphics I'd assume)?

Interested to see this now, as I thought only the I/C Display was getting a graphic/color change.

Sorry, I should have been clearer. In the latest model, when you open the drivers door, a picture of the car appears on the dash. The older version will just display the odometer. On the navi screen, there is another icon all the way to the top right that is a picture of a globe. The older version doesn't have this.

Ah, that's awesome! (Picture of the car displaying).

Thanks guys. Does anyone know for sure this is the case? I have two cars in mind to buy. One that is 4matic but i dont know (yet) if it has it - and another car that I have seen that has it but is not 4matic. I want the 4matic but again, want to be sure it has the latest software, etc..

ALL sedans built in July and August have the newer COMAND with higher resolution display and the new color instrument cluster. By the way, the globe in Europe is for internet. In North America, the globe is Sirius Weather. Just call your dealer and ask for the build date. If they tell you July or August, you'll have the new stuff.

ONE MORE NOTICE: Some cars built in June also have the new color display, but not the new navigation system (Codenamed NTG4.5) with a SD card slot, moved iPod integration, & Sirius Weather.

Awesome. Thanks for the info.

Before my dealer became insane on pricing, I was test driving these cars last week. All of the ones that I drove with the updated color screed DID NOT have the SD slot or the IPOD cables in the center console. The only change was the color monitor in the dash cluster.

I'm now patiently waiting on the 2012's....and wil be looking for an out-of-state dealer.

If you give VIN number can be checked from EPC easly if it has new comand and dashboard

Please explain.

My service advisor (and I) can not find anywhere where in Mercedes records that say that my car has the new dash and comand 4.5 (it does).....so we are not sure if it will get any updates when it's connected to STAR. The feature code did not change....Mbrace and I already had a fight about what was installed when I asked a question about the SD slot and Sirius weather. They insisted that my car could not have the new dash/comand system because it is a 2011. The manuals supposedly delivered in the vehicle to the dealer by Mercedes with the car (comand and voice manuals) were for comand 4.0 (the dealer is now getting me manuals that match what is installed).

I have the new more colorful displays dashboard, the sd slot instead of the wider slot, the globe on the top right of the screen with full Sirius weather and when I change temperature settings, they show on the bottom of the Comand display (not sure if this is new to 4.5). My map version also says 2011-2012.

Why won't it get updates when connected to STAR? I have the newer NTG 4.5... What happened with mbrace?

Mbrace works fine....it was just when I asked a question about car function of a human, they said I couldn't have what I have...and they refered it to second level support....which shouldn't have happened. Second level agreed I had what I said I had...but mbrace's records don't show it.

I'm not sure how STAR works...but if it checks with Mercedes based on VIN to see if any updates are available, it needs to know that this is a different 2011 than many...or it will say "no updates" when perhaps there are some. It is just a worry of mine mostly because I want any updates just in case they add the internet software as a running change/update in 2012.

yes it is NTG 4.5

Ahhhh! It has to be in the VIN! I want COMAND Online too ((( Where should we go from here?
I hope Mercedes didn't screw us over...

My service manager is checking on this. Yes, it should be in the build records that are looked at when they enter the VIN, but I'm just not a trusting person when it comes to computer records being right. There is no different feature code for comand 4.5 vs 4.0 so all the records they have seen so far just show that the car has comand....but not the version.

I am less concerned about mbrace not knowing....and I'll probably cancel that service before the free trial is over anyway....but it raised my concern level a bit about the potential service issue. They have the VIN of the car in their records and they know what's installed....but they don't see comand 4.0 or 4.5...just the feature code.

they can see in EPC, if you have access you can see yourself. I can check my part numbers and what version of comand I have from EPC. VIN is enough for that. and 088 added code for NTG 4.5
for example part number A2129005613 is US NTG 4.5 without DVD changer I believe

So i got the VIN number. How can I check?

do you have EPC access ? if not either you can purchase it or I (or anyone who has access) can check for you (of course I need VIN)

Ok. I got your PM, yes car has NTG 4.5 with DVD Changer (A2129007113 or A2129007513 both are same NTG 4.5) and new color instrument cluster (A2129003513)

Note : I noticed it came from another user sorry. I can of course also help you if you send your VIN