bebrewer

I recently purchased a 2012 E-350 here in Austin, TX and was told by my sales rep that the map updates came with the car for 3 years. I had asked for them to be updated before I picked up the car and it looks like the maps are still the ones that came with the car new. I called the service department today and they told me that they would be happy to sell me a map disk for $250 but that they didn't update maps for free. I looked online and it appears the only thing I can find to support what my rep told me was a press release for cars sold in Europe.

Does anybody know if the US dealers were also supposed to be supporting the 3 year free map updates (from the time the car originally went into service)?

Thanks!

Johnny Rad

I can't help much, but did bump into something online somewhere that seemed to indicate the same. I unfortunately couldn't find that link again.

So, I started searching the web (and this forum) and came up with the same "offer" your Service Dept made ... you gotta buy it. Based on my quick web search, I concluded that it must've been for pre-W212 models or something else.

bebrewer

Thanks, I am beginning to think my sales rep didn't have all of his facts straight. If I end up having to pay for the updates, it wouldn't be the end of the world. I got a good deal on the car and absolutely love it!

bebrewer

So I went to the dealer today and bought the map update for my car. The service manager needed to go out to my car and get the VIN to give to Mercedes and generate a key to install the update. So much for selling it after you install it because I doubt the key works on another car.

The update took about 2 hours start to finish. There were 3 DVD's but the system only requested 2 of them before saying it was completed. Does anybody know what is on the 3rd DVD?

pamiboy

So does the maps look updated?

bebrewer

Very much so. There are many POI updates and the icons for several things have changed along with a quasi 3D look of buildings when you are in town.

El Cid

Every year I get a letter from MBUSA asking me to get navigation updated - for a price. The price is $250. I did get one because I lucked into a super deal and the dealer put it in. Took over two hours for 2 DVD's. There was not a 3rd because they left the DVD's in the glove compartment.
Original was 2009 and the 2012/2013 maps, POI's, etc. were no different from original. In fact, same errors were in there for directions. The graphics were changed, especially for interstate exits and so forth.
I think your sales rep mis-lead you or he had bad information. It is part of MBUSA marketing plan to sell new updates every year.

BeachBunny

Yet another case of "get it in writing". Don't trust a word the saleshole says, no matter how nice they are.

I just wish they'd make the update price more reasonable. Considering you can get a $150 Garmin with LIFETIME updates that includes the GPS unit, $250 for a single update is a bit steep. I'd cough up $50-75, but not $250. Maybe $250 for lifetime updates for the car, but not for a single update.

pamiboy

Absolutely , BB you took the words out of my mouth. Or may be I'll wait 10 years before I buy one update. It's possible I may not have the car by that time.

noka

MBUSA web site has the following info:

No-charge navigation map updates for 3 years

Optional

Roads, points of interest and even fuel stations are ever-changing. Periodic updates to your COMAND® navigation system's onboard database help it give you the most accurate guidance. Every new 2015 E-Class with COMAND navigation includes updates at no charge for the first three years. An update takes less than an hour for your dealer to perform, so it's convenient to have it done when you bring your vehicle in for regular maintenance service. See your dealer for more details.


I understand that to mean that it's optional (i.e. not necessary) but still at no charge.

BeachBunny

Noka: I was about to post that... for fun I went back through the older brochures and 2015 is the first year they're doing that. Not even the 2014 manual mentions it.

thenew3

Unless they change the frequency of updates to more frequently then 3 years, you're not likely going to benefit from that free upgrade.

My 2013 has maps from 2012 and navteq still does not have updates for it. (it's 2.5 years old).
Even 2012 E350's with maps from 2011 does not have updates yet. and that's over 3 years old.

noka

Clever marketing on MB's part. It sounds good but they likely never have to deliver on it.

LSkrabut

I purchase in May a 2014 E250 which had a build date of 11/2013. the Navteq version was 10. I worked out with the dealer after the fact I wanted current Navteq software as when I purchased the car, not what was current when it was built.

After contacting Navteq, they informed me that V11 was available since Jan 2014 - even though their web site stated differently, which my dealer ended up ordering and installing as part of the purchase.

There was some minor display changes (I think) between the 2 versions. Also I noticed some physical upgraded local interstate changes that occurred recently near me now displaying correctly on the map.

I fully agree, the dealer charge of $250 per upgrade is not right for the owners.

BeachBunny

Dumb question... but since it's Navteq maps... and Garmin/Navteq are heavily tied together...is it possible to translate a Garmin mapset to work in the 'Benz?