I bought a 2014 GL450 last week and asked the dealer to update the navigation maps as a pre-requisite for the transaction. At delivery, the dealer confirmed that the maps are updated along with the Command center at every service, so I don't need to worry about it.

Now the dealer changed his statement, that all customers pay for map updates after the first year. In fact all new vehicles get automatic free updates for first 4 years.

Is there a way to update these maps ourselves? I saw some CDs available on ebay but I haven't come across anything that would apply to X166, nor does Mercedes sells any updates for the recent models. Does anyone have some experience with this?
Thanks,

 

Update is done via USB drive, it comes in a DVD case.

It's $249 + labor. I think I was charged an hour of labor!!! You also get a sheet showing a license specific to a VIN.

I just got this done for N. America 2015/2015 V14.0 - not sure if there is a new one yet.

I tried to figure out how to do it myself and no luck so just paid for the update.

 

This year's "2016 update" has not yet been released - and once released can be purchased/installed at dealer.

 

If I bought a 2016 in late 2015, will they update for free when the 2016 update is released?

I'm a little confused by the OP that updates after the first year are not free, yet new cars get 4 years of updates for free. Which is it?

 

MB started offering free updates for 2016 models.

 

2016 gL - "free" updates for 3yrs - limited to 2 updates per yr - if "updated" map database is available - done at dealer w/no-charge for install.

Last I checked 1st 2016 map data update was "due" to dealer in May.

Same update on CD/DVD should be available as $249 accessory item (note update price is set by NavTeq, not set by MB).

German car companies incl MB are as miffed about being over-the-barrel by GPS/map-data companies as much as car owners - as German/luxury car companies get charged for OEM map installs like they were golden geese - so German/luxury car companies thru a bunch of dough into a collective pot to buy a map data company last year - doesn't help us out now or help short term - but for integrated nav in future 2-3 yrs out might help.

Strong customer direction over the past year for Smartphones to take over Nav duty - directions by BlueTooth - and of course SmartPhone companies have their own put-a-gun-to-the-head on German/luxury car company integration into car system display

 

I think Google/Apple map from smart phone is faster and accurate. IMHO, it's not worth paying $249 for a static map. Others may think differently.

 

I agree and have an iPhone mount on the vent to use when necessary.

But I still prefer to use the stock system for some reason and the $249 was worth it for me as many of my roads were not even on the previous map.