MichaelHolloway

I recently purchased a 2016 E350 certified pre-owned. The car had 7000 miles on it. It came with 1 year left on factory warranty. I purchased an additional 2 years. The original warranty included free multi year map updates. The salesman told me the car was a lease and the person that leased the car used the 3 free updates. Question 1) Everything I read said 3 years of free map updates; NOT 3 free updates. What's the deal here?

I have had the car a week now and figured out how to check the map version. It is 2015 v3.1. From what I can tell that is very likely the map version that came in the new car back in 2016. Question 2) How can I tell what the original version of the map was and if the car has received ANY updates to the maps?

Question 3. What would be the latest version of the maps available for this car?

Question 4. How can I tell if the firmware has been updated or if it is current in Command?

Sorry for so many questions and please go easy on me. I have not posted here in quite some time.

DFWdude

My 2016 (July 2015 build) has Map Version 4, which I assume is newer than yours. In searching (ALL) forums, I have seen versions as high as V11, but don't know if the version available is dependant on model year, car model and Hdwre in the car.

Sure would be nice to understand this. What is the most current anyone has for a W212?

Regardless, (IMO) yours has never been updated, and neither has mine.

I would like to learn what phone number at MBUSA to call to request them to send me the "Map Update Available" letter, so I can present it to the dealer and shortstop all the BS run-around. Apparently the dealers hate doing the updates for free.

My 3 years expires in mid October, and I intend to have the update to the latest possible version completed by then. A contract is a contract...

bigjule

Funny thing is my 2015 has 3 yrs of free updates and when I got the car I called my local dealer and they acted like I was speaking french .. so I never pursued it

DFWdude

Yep. My dealer says I "don't need the update." Even though all the freeways in Dallas -- including the one passing right past the dealership -- have been vastly changed since 2015. If I lived in an area that wasn't growing, I might not be so urgent. But N. TX is booming, and they add new roads daily.

I don't expect any update to be perfectly current the day it is installed. But anything will be better than what I have now.

Like OP, I appreciate any help to get the dealer to move off their worthless ***** and honor this 3-year program sold to all MB consumers in America since 2015 (all models and years).

SlvrArrow87

1: 3 years of updates equals 3 free updates(1 per year) but I could be wrong here, I don't know the exacts just what I've seen at the dealer
2: I don't believe you can figure out the original map version, only the currently installed version. Service history could indicate if any updates were done.
3: 2016's should have NTG 5.1 which will be Version 11, I just did mine.
4: You personally can't, control unit firmware can only be determined with a Benz scan tool

DFWDude: For a 2016 W212 Version 11 is the latest. You are correct in thinking the numbers are hardware/software/vehicle dependent. Version numbers jump around and are nearly impossible to follow even for someone on the inside, that's all decided by the company producing the maps. Plus the COMAND tells us version numbers where as the map catalog uses part numbers so it takes a bit of cross referencing to decipher them properly. Maybe you could contact the MB Customer Assistance Center if the dealer refuses to help you? I know these updates aren't lucrative or easy to do but they shouldn't be refused, we manage just fine. Hope you guys have better luck!

iconoclast

Run the VMI. If it is valid in the system it will indicate with the text below. MB/USA will not be able to help you directly. They will simply call your servicing dealer and do the same by looking up the VMI.

Longroof

Just got my 2016 back from its B service yesterday where I also asked for my second of three free annual map updates. No MB dealer push back on providing the map update. When I got my car back it included a separate printout confirming the map update. It provided the map DVD object number, map license key number and included the statement: Map version N.AMERICA 2019 V11.0

DFWdude

Excellent report. Now I know what to ask for. Thanks so much.

iconoclast

I just had mine completed and I received NTG5S1 2018v10. There is a 2019v11 out?

Longroof

My post was referring to the current map version.

iconoclast

Same here. I have the NTG5S1 unit and dealer just updated the other day and gave me the 2018v10 map. Curious why I did not get the 2019 but I will call when I return from vacation after the holiday.

DFWdude

Well, I called the dealer today, to learn that the service rep who told me I didn't need an update was no longer there... Good riddance...

My new service rep volunteered a notation in my car records that I am subscribed to the 3-year map update program, AND have a Map Update waiting for me.

So I requested V11 and have an appointment for Thurs. Somebody pinch me.

I'll cross my fingers... and I need to go buy a lottery ticket somewhere...

iconoclast

Congratulations.

BigRob_NH

Interesting. I specifically asked about the map updates at the time I purchased my CPO W212 (2016 E400) and they stated that the map updates were only for the original owner.

My car goes in for Service B the end of next week. I'll have to push my SA on this issue.

DFWdude

The 3-year map update program applies from the date the vehicle is placed in service (vehicle dependent, not owner dependent) and goes with the vehicle. Be sure to take your second hand car to a dealer of your choosing to have it recorded in the system under your name -- and ask to claim the update before the 3 years expires. http://mb.navigation.com/cms/page.MY...en_US/MBNA/USD My dealer gave me no hassle at all.

READ THIS internal MBUSA program explanation... eligibility transfer is noted on page 9... http://mercedes-benz-dealer.custhelp...ree-map-update

DFWdude

So I just got my 2016 back from the dealer.... no need to buy anything (like an A or B service). I received the same printout that Longroof received disclosing that the update was N.AMERICA 2019 V11.0, and I verified this in the Comand system, Maps>Options>Version Number.

An intersection on the 8 mile route between my home and dealer was revised just a year ago to incorporate a flyover to avoid a light. The flyover is now properly depicted on the V11 update. So I am pleased that the database is pretty up to date.

And I did buy a lottery ticket on the way home...

iconoclast

The original version on my vehicle had the satellite overlay on the 2mi (zoom out) and I much prefer that view over the illustrated map.
Could you tell me if the satellite image view is back at the 2mi view or if it remains at the 5mi view for 2019v11?

bigjule

So if my 2015 212 has a release date of Sept 24 2014 then my 3 yr warranty expired?

DFWdude

Just guessing here that 3-years means 3-years. But if your car has Build Code 502, and you have never had a map update, you've saved your local dealer two hours of labor for each of three years in the past. So, it wouldn't hurt to call your dealer, and ask if they will good will the service. Imma think you should have received a notice, or read about the program here long before the period expired. The program REQUIRES the dealers to reach out if you have code 502. Soooo, you can always say you were not notified. I wasn't either.

See page 9 of this Internal MBUSA document for Notes on 1) transferability and 2) dealer requirement to contact you... http://mercedes-benz-dealer.custhelp...ree-map-update

MBUSA would probably tell you that you have a 4-year car warranty, and a 3-year map benefit program that started with 2015 models. It's a US promotion only and doesn't apply worldwide. So MB worldwide will not want anyone to think that the program is a grandfathered offering, like a "warranty" that all car manufacturers have offered for decades and a common expectation by all customers.

That said, I'm guessing that since phone navigation apps have become so good -- with weekly(?) Google map updates in the cloud rather than physically in the car -- that the "free" map upgrades is thought at MBUSA to now be a promotional benefit to justify the obscene price of the onboard Comand Navigation system... The occurence of this program and the appearance of Android Auto and Apple Car Play is not a coincidence, IMO. Better to give away the updates if you want to sell the (now outdated) hardwired NAVI option on a new car. Not to mention that while your car is at the dealer getting the update, it provides the dealer other sales/service opportunities.

I'm just a retired Product Development Manager... I don't work for or speak for Mercedes-Benz.

DFWdude

Sadly, it remains at the 5 mi scale with V11 (at least on my car). I much prefer the satellite overlay too. Not that the 2mi scale I had in V4 was all that usable, honestly. But any satellite overlay visually looks more Gizmo than the the plain maps.

I am not sure that the scaling available is so much map version dependent vs media dependent. I've read elsewhere the update files are huge, and if the USB devices used for distribution are capacity limited (32BG or 64GB) then that might dictate the amount of data included for higher resolution satellite maps.

Frankly, the satellite overlay is about the only advantage that Comand holds over Google Maps (or at least I haven't found how to see satellite views in Google Maps). So one might think MB would be wiser to include higher resolution satellite imagery as a differentiating selling point worth a higher expense of the distribution media.

Longroof

DFWdude: I looked at the link in the above quoted post and just realized that on page 2 it says "MY 15 or newer Mercedes-Benz vehicles are eligible to receive up to two (2) map updates per year. Update eligibility is for the first three years of ownership."

I'm now kicking myself for not realizing that it means I have not been taking advantage of getting two free map updates each year (i.e. potentially 6 free updates in the first three years) so far!

As an aside, MBUSA has never proactively reached out to me to remind me that I am eligible for a free update as they indicate they will do on page 2 of your link "MBUSA will inform eligible customers of the free map update for their COMMAND navigation system." It also was not automatically done during my first "A" service even though page 6 of your link says "Maintenance sheet, requires dealers to check for available map release and to performs (sic) free map (sic).". When I got the car back from the "A" service and I asked my service rep why the map update was not done during the "A" service, he said I didn't ask for it. So I scheduled my car for a map update at the dealership the next week which they performed, and gave me a complimentary car wash. I even received a free loaner for the entire day even though the map update is said to take under an hour to perform. I proactively asked for the map update during my 2nd year "B" service.

- Longroof

iconoclast

On my X5M it is at the 1mi scale which is ideal for my purposes since the pertinent information is in the HUD.
I forgot where the google maps overlay was located on the Q7 but IIRC it too was at the 1mi marker and a very nice map to look out. Very detailed and high resolution.
The only real gripes I have with the E63 and MB in general for that matter is that their tech has always been behind it's German rivals. Everything from their Nav to their keys.

bigjule

Well I finnaly got a chance to call today and my 2015 still qualifies so I scheduled a appointment for the 18th with a Enterprise rental as all there loaners are booked ...keep ya posted

iconoclast

You should have received a postcard in the mail every time a new release was made available.

LALALAND

Yes for me. I had done Service B in June at a dealer (#1)and they told me they don't have 2018 map yet. Said to come back later in the future. Today I went to a different dealer (#2) a little farther away. They told me since my car is around 3.5 years old, I don't qualify for the free update. Guess I'm going back to dealer #1 next month to see if I can get the update.