COMAND update and full color speedo screen
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,319
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From: Virginia
W212 M276 DELA 30 ; W211 M113k, W126 M117, W126 OM617, W211 OM642 ; R107 M117 X2, Sierra 1500 LZ0
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?
Can anyone clue me in on what's going on there?
Super Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 655
Likes: 2
Mercedes e350 BlueTec
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?
Can anyone clue me in on what's going on there?
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
2012 E350
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:
2012:
2010-2011:
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:
2012:
2010-2011:
Last edited by 4digital; Mar 28, 2014 at 04:50 PM. Reason: added info
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,319
Likes: 251
From: Virginia
W212 M276 DELA 30 ; W211 M113k, W126 M117, W126 OM617, W211 OM642 ; R107 M117 X2, Sierra 1500 LZ0
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:
2012:
2010-2011:
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:
2012:
2010-2011:
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,319
Likes: 251
From: Virginia
W212 M276 DELA 30 ; W211 M113k, W126 M117, W126 OM617, W211 OM642 ; R107 M117 X2, Sierra 1500 LZ0
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.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
2012 E350
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.
Last edited by 4digital; Mar 29, 2014 at 01:12 AM.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,319
Likes: 251
From: Virginia
W212 M276 DELA 30 ; W211 M113k, W126 M117, W126 OM617, W211 OM642 ; R107 M117 X2, Sierra 1500 LZ0
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.
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.
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.
Last edited by DubVBenz; Mar 29, 2014 at 09:35 AM.
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Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 387
Likes: 4
From: Boston, MA
2010 E550 Coupe
+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.
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.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 387
Likes: 4
From: Boston, MA
2010 E550 Coupe
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.
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.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,141
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From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
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.
Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 86
Likes: 2
From: Ontario, CANADA
2015 C450; 2008 RX400h
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.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 1,293
From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
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.
Anyway, I think my 2010 cluster with the five gauges without colors looks better than the new ones with colours.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 748
Likes: 27
From: Zion
W212 E550 4M P2
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.
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.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,306
Likes: 40
E 350
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.
Did they replace the glass under any sort of warranty or insurance?
Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 147
Likes: 2
From: OH
w212
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.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 1,293
From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
And it really feels like it is glass, not plastic material.
It was covered under warranty. Car was only about 3-4 months old.
Super Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 620
Likes: 65
From: Florida
2018 E300 Luxury - P3 and more
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.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,306
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E 350
Originally Posted by RS4Life
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.
.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 3,133
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From: Down Unda
W204 C63 AMG, W212 E250 CGI, C207 E250 CGI
^^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.
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.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 998
Likes: 136
From: VA
W212 E-class, W211 E-class, F10 5-Series
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.
Dealer replaced the whole cluster as the glass does not come separate. Over $7000 part.
