COMAND update and full color speedo screen
 

I've read that the 2012+ models have an updated COMAND system along with a full color speedometer screen. However, when I browse through 2012 models, I typically just see the speedometer showing the various spectrum of brown/yellow. It seems like when I look at the 2013 models, I see at least some red on the accent lines.

Can anyone clue me in on what's going on there?

nope...they probably just reused the pictures from the pre 2012's. Actually late build 2011's also had the color speedomter and all 2012's and later had/have it.

I may be wrong since I'm fairly new to the game, but I'm also fresh off of obsessing over which car to get. I think what you're seeing and saying is correct, DubV, and what ghstudio is saying is somewhat correct as well. From what I've found, the 2012 speedometer has the full resolution screen, but everything is indeed displayed in a brownish/yellow hue, compared to a very pixelated low-res screen in the 2010-2011. The newest speedos, at least in the 2014 I sat in the other day, have ditched the brownish/yellow for a broader range of "full-color" including some of the red accent lines you mentioned.

edit: Here are some photos. And I should clarify and say that the 2012 speedo certainly seems to be capable of displaying full color, since a handful of the icons will show up as bright blue, bright yellow, etc., but for whatever reason MB didn't design the interface using a full color palette...

2013-2014:
http://image.motortrend.com/f/roadte...nt-cluster.jpg

2012:
http://image.automobilemag.com/f/372...edometer-2.jpg

2010-2011:
http://media.caranddriver.com/images...s-1280x782.jpg

That's the best summary I've found. Thank you! The early version seems like it's basically my W211, I have such a hard time believing people purchased a car in 2011 with that and were OK with it...

Another interesting thing I noticed on your pictures was that the instrument clusters were completely different in the 2012-2014 models. Were you citing both coupe and sedan models here? It seems like everything was mixed up.

I'm not sure if coupe and sedan models vary or not, but I believe this is how the instrument clusters are for each sedan's respective year.

The removal of the 2 dials in 13/14 is a result of combining the fuel/temp gauge, as well as moving the analog clock to the center stack below the comand screen.

Gotcha. I don't think I've noticed mercedes tinker with a model as much as they have with the W212. Every year is completely identifiable from another year. Different interior decisions, instrument clusters, steering wheels and finally culminating with such a radical refresh that it looks like a new model.

Edit: and as I look at different cars, I find that some 2013s have the new cluster and some don't. How odd. I guess it's just like some 2011s getting the later updated screen and COMAND.

does anyone know if you can upgrade a 2011 to the 2012+ COMMAND and color instrument cluster?

+1
I'd love to upgrade my 2010 display to the 2012 version - but am not sure if this is feasible.
I think I prefer the 2012 design over the 2014 version, which (in my humble opinion) looks to be a lower quality despite the full color display.

Seems it is possible to upgrade the instrument cluster, but requires reprogramming the correct mileage into the new cluster - something that I do not have the Stars Diag tool to do.

On my old W203 coupe it was pretty easy to pull the instrument cluster out using a specific Mercedes "Pulling Hooks" tool. The old W203'was well documented for having the LCD cluster fade over time or in high temperature conditions.

Well, if it is just a software change to do it then it could be reasonable to do it for getting the colors in the cluster but if it takes to change the cluster then perhaps not.

The glass on my 2011 E350 cracked with a big bang. Thought someone shot the car or threw a rock at it but nothing. Next day saw the cluster glass had cracked a straight line top to bottom.

Dealer replaced the whole cluster as the glass does not come separate. Over $7000 part.

Agreed. The 2014 instrument panel looks like it came straight out of the Daimler Chrysler parts bin. My 2012 e350 looks much classier. One reason I am looking at the new C Class is I just couldn't stand having to look at that ugly instrument panel every day.

I did not know they went from the 5-cylinder cluster to 3-cylinder one with the new models. Like they went away from the 4-lamp look in the front. Star in the middle and just one light on each side now when it used to be the star in the middle with two lights on each side. Probably a far fetch but you never know what those car modelers think...

Anyway, I think my 2010 cluster with the five gauges without colors looks better than the new ones with colours.

Moving the clock out of the cluster to the top of the center stack in '14 was a big improvement, IMHO. Not sure I'll ever become a devout enough Merc traditionalist to like the "old way."

Besides, the minute hand moves every 60s and frequently catches my eye ... kinda irritating.

That said, I've got the old way and it's fine. Not that big of a deal.

Are you talking about your windscreen or the covering of speed gauges...?
Did they replace the glass under any sort of warranty or insurance?

My 2011 has the speedometer layout of the 2012.

Every mb I've been in with the color display has been laggy. I use that display all the time and it was annoying going from the responsive old style. Probably get used to it though. The color ones do look a lot better.

The glass covering the gauges. It comes only as part of the whole cluster assembly.


And it really feels like it is glass, not plastic material.


It was covered under warranty. Car was only about 3-4 months old.

IIRC, the color display was a mid-year 2011 update. I believe around June/July 2011 is when they started using the newer display module. It *is* possible to retrofit the color one into the older cars, but requires someone with knowledge on how to re-code it to work.

Anyone know if the stealership would be able to upgrade my 2011 to the color cluster? i had a 2012 and it was a nice, quality looking LCD..compared to the pixel-look of my 2011.

Now you are asking for too much. :D.

^^not just a software update. you need the hardware too. youll need new cluster, programming, money (lots of it).

can be done, question is, how much are you willing to spend for it. if youre really interested. crossover to the C207 section and look for Chris the Swede. he does magic with this kind of stuff.

Thanks! He replied immediately. Appreciate the help.

How did that happen? Seems like a rather odd location to have such a strange impact to.