El Cid

M-B has informed me that I can get a navigation update for $250. I can also get an update to COMAND for another $250.
Ford is updating the MyFord Touch system in new Fords and giving free
updates to all current MyFord Touch owners.
They are sending out a packet with a USB drive for DIY or you can take packet to dealer and they will do it at no cost.
Ford also providing new SD cards to owners with Navigation which will update maps and provide higher quality and more features. At NO cost again.
"The Best or Nothing" Apparently for owners, it is nothing.

dfordham

Some members have reported getting these updates for free. But you're right, it is not MBUSA's policy to do so. It seems to depend on the customer support commitment of individual dealers.

Regards,
Don

El Cid

[quote=dfordham;5085675]Some members have reported getting these updates for free. But you're right, it is not MBUSA's policy to do so. It seems to depend on the customer support commitment of individual dealers.

My experience has been that you have to demonstrate a problem with navi or COMAND before dealer will do it. They have to bill MBUSA as a warranty issue to get reimbursed for costs.
I'm sure some dealers are more obliging re: finding a warranty issue or just doing it as a service. Not mine - and no other available within 150 miles.
Issue is: Ford customer service "The Best" vs. MBUSA customer service "Nothing?"

listerone

Capitalism....the free market.Ford has determined that,in the long run at least,their policy will benefit them the most.Ditto MB's position on *their* policy.Someday Ford may change their policy...and someday MB might change theirs.

mrnoorde

The reason Ford is going above and beyond with the free update is that they are having tons of issues with the MyFord Touch system. Do a Google search and you'll see a ton of complaints. The map update is likely a PR move to dull the pain some owners are experiencing.

I think the newer Ford products are very impressive but the MyFord Touch system is a step backward. Far too many features integrated into the touch screen and not near enough hard buttons. You need to wait for the system to boot up before you can turn on the heated seats, etc.

I'm sure if the MB had a system with issues similar to MyFord Touch and they issued a software update to fix it, they would take care of the customer in a similar fashion.

Hopefully Ford's newest software update fixes the issues with MyFord Touch as so many other elements of the their products are impressive, especially for the price point.

babyjocko

Capitalism and Free Market are not synonymous. In fact, capitalism can exist without a free market (and vice-versa). Capitalism is an economic system whereby a capitalist is one who profits from the productivity of others while a free market is a non-government regulated market where price is determined by supply and demand.

If more people were to understand economic systems and markets then propaganda would be less effective.

babyjocko

As for MB vs Ford (and virtually all others) regarding media electronics, this is the thing I dislike most about MB. They are always late to the game when it comes to media electronics. Actually, I think all car makers are behind in the game. But, MB has always been near last.

I've said 4 yrs ago that cars should have Pandora and Net Radio -- not Satellite Radio. Satellite Radio is just a waste. Pity to anyone who invested in it. OTOH, Net Radio potentially offers all broadcast radio stations in the world plus tons of Internet only radio stations. Then there's Pandora, Aha, etc.

It would be nice if MB were to have touchscreen that is essentially an extension of the iPhone, Android, or whatever phone is connected via Bluetooh. Apps such as Web Browser, weather, and others should accomodate the media apps. In fact, just partner with Google and let them program the whole thing. Let MB engineers continue to do what they do best. Give the media electronics up to others do it best, which is why Ford's media is where it is.

ttoE550

+1000

I can't find the original article I read comparing Internet connectivity in the cars, but it said that MB is concentrating on integrating Facebook in MBrace2 while others are working towards Pandora, etc. WTF? Facebook? We old fogies need access to our statuses in real-time?

I love Bluetooth audio streaming from my phone, but it would be a much nicer experience to control it from COMAND instead of the other way around.

Edit: Oops, I meant to link the following which implies the same in the chart.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...396354022.html

K-A

They're just after your $$$$.

I hope M-B never go toward the gimmicky and terrible functionality of a touch-screen. I'm using one in a Lexus right now, and I hate it. The COMAND/iDrive type of controller is the best thing to ever happen to an interior in term of luxurious-functionality and ergonomics. Everything at your fingertips without having to lean up and concentrate arm gestures in an area that's not the steering wheel (like you would with a touch-screen).

In M-B's attempt to get all the "kids" to love the next generation A-Class that they're bringing to the States (get ready for M-B to move and play downmarket), they are doing the best thing I can imagine one can do in terms of "Connectivity/Tech" stuff that I don't personally care much about: They are implementing SIRI in conjunction with Apple into their cars. It even makes ME want one, coming from someone who doesn't use any of the Media related stuff that my car comes with. Sounds like it'll be very cool.

Arrie

I hope MB NEVER goes with touch screen. If they do they throw away a lot of talk about driving safety.

RSIKR

Agree, very dangerous, plus cleaning your pawprints off the screen while you rear end someone.

Arrie

[quote=El Cid;5085702]
Here is a good one for everyone who want their navigation system to work correctly. I had this problem with both my 2011 E350 and the current 2010 E550.

If you set an address to the nav system and then want to set a stopover point. Selecting a stopover, like gas station, it shows at the bottom of the screen tabs like Map and Call, but they are crayed out. The way it is supposed to work is that while driving you can use the "Map" to show you where the stopover point like a gas station would be before you select it as a stopover point. This is very handy when driving on an Interstate highway and looking for a gas station. You can pick one and look at it on the map first that it is not too far from your route before you select it as a stopover.

Before updating the Comand in both of my cars I had to select the stopover first and then go to "position" tab and center the map over the stopover to see where it really was.

After updating the Comand the "Map" tab works as it is supposed to be working and the Call tab works too.

It is dissapointing to realize that a car maker like MB does not have this update done automatically for everyone who bought their car. This is very obvious malfunction of the Comand system and they know all the cars build before 2012 model year have this problem. It takes 20 minutes CD to run to do the update, which can easily be done during a oil change service call with minimal cost.

What happened to the customner service?

Dema

BMW and Jaguar provide free service during warranty for free, so what? Every maker has own program to attract customers. So far mercedes keep resonably low purchasing price. I did shop for E class and no one competitor could provide similar lease rates. I didn't do cross shopping for Ford though. I had Ford in past and dealt with so many repairs and car was dead having just 94,000 miles on odometer. I doubt that Ford now is any better even with free navigation updates.

Busta Riles

Mercedes-Benz may not be the best at "everything", but they are the best at the most important things.

I think their slogan works well in this scenario... They are not the best at Nav systems, so they do nothing.

ImInPA

+1 In fact, the oil industry is a perfect example of capitalism with no free market. It is arbitrairily manipulated. The rules of supply and demand no longer apply to the oil industry, hence, no free market.

Mr Snappy

where the hell did you go to school? Your definition of Capitialism is more than a little off...

cap·i·tal·ism

   /ˈkæpɪtlˌɪzəm/ Show Spelled[kap-i-tl-iz-uhm] Show IPA
noun an economic system in which investment in and ownership of the means of production, distribution, and exchange of wealth is made and maintained chiefly by private individuals or corporations, especially as contrasted to cooperatively or state-owned means of wealth.

"profits from the productivity of others" ???? Really? What liberal BS do you read to give you that notion?

mnje350

^^DITTO!^^

K-A

LOL. It really is a brilliant slogan. They can get away with delivering either.

BenzV12

It's really is but this slogan will cancel out The best of nothing slogan lol

2nd part of the slogan is cool too . I mean we are the best at most important things

babyjocko

World experience.

When you think, you use your own head. When you believe, others use your head for you. Believe someone else's definition of capitalism or analyze for yourself the various economic systems encountered via experience.

As I said, once you understand, propaganda becomes less effective.

El Cid

"The only thing wrong with capitalism is capitalist." Who said it? Anyway, he is right.

mnje350

Hmmm, so you prefer socialism?

fourcircle

Anyone have any advice on how I might convince my dealer to install a Command update for free so that I might be able to enjoy pandora via bluetooth? I'm not so keen on paying ANOTHER $250 after paying $55K.

If someone has unrelated problems with their Command, they get the bluetooth update for free. I've not had problems, so I'm SOL? Is that some sort of warranty discrimination?

dfordham

I have a 2011 and get bluetooth streaming with my iPhone. I thought only the 2010's needed an update.


Regards,
Don

fourcircle

Nope, mine is a bonnafide 2011 model. No bluetooth streaming on that sucker.