dgrinberg

Just got ’05 ML500. Have few question.

1. Is it possible to use the DVD player (used by navigation) to play dvd movies? Is it just disabled or controlled in COMAND computer?

2. Thinking of looking into to ECU upgrade. Has anybody done it? Powerchips and Renntech sell them, but do they really give you 10 to 30 hp and torque, and do you really feel the difference? Any other power upgrade suggestions?

saturnstyl

Some place has a module that would allow you to use the dvd nav to play movies, I don't know where but it sounds expensive, not to mention its probably illegal. I have no desire to watch a movie while I drive, and have never even used the rear seat video system yet. I would go the rear seat system route to entertain passengers.
From what I have seen, nobody makes a chip or has reprogramming that is worth what it costs. $2000 for 10 HP? I don't think so. Take your truck in and complain of a hesitation. I haven't encountered any '05 models in for repairs yet, so I don't know if there is a software update or not, but if there is it will feel like 10 HP. You may already have the latest software. Keep in mind your ML needs time to break in properly. Most mercedes are a LOT faster given a couple thousand miles of break in.
K&N filters don't impress me, and I have yet to see anybody mod an ML in my area that made any improvement in performance. Its no slouch as it is, but its not an AMG model either.

pointman

yes the mcs can play dvd movies but you need a seperate module. about 1200 from a aftermarket shop.

i have the ecu upgrade in my ml... and i think it works well with exhaust and intake, but stand alone... i wouldnt do it. not noticeable enough to warrant the price.

OH! and welcome to the forum, and the ML club... i am sure you will find it to be great.

dgrinberg

Thank you guys for the info.

Is msc the name of the computer? I found somebody in Germany who had his computer reprogrammed to allow DVD movies on the navigation screen. If we don’t have the same computer I guess it’s not possible.

I’d probably not risk it with a chip, since I’m leasing a car. But Jet Chips have them as cheap as $350.

Regarding the break-in, you’re right. When I test drove ML500 it felt much quicker. More responsive, rather. I’m probably not doing good job breaking it in by pushing it too hard. Just bit disappointed, I guess in few thousand miles should be better.

By the way, will I mess anything up by pushing the car to it’s limits this early?

Oh, and one more question. Do we have an alarm? I press a “Panic” button, but it doesn’t go off. Somebody told me that alarm is not standard, but dealer installed.

pointman

mcs is the radio... and again, it can play dvds.
dont bother with jet chip...it is garbage.
break...baby it off the line, then push it hard in higher gears at cruising speed. it helps form a tighter seal, causing greater longevity and reliability.
and the panic button is standard...it should cause the alarm to go off. if it isnt something is wrong, take it into the dealer. it is an easy fix for them.

akbro93704

you have to hold the panic button down for about 2 to 3 seconds before the alarm goes off.....

amb9800

Are you in North America? If so, your ML does not have the COMAND system that every other MB does - instead, it has the MCS system. Unlike COMAND, the MCS does not have an A/V input. In addition, the DVD navigation module does not play DVD movies.

What others in this thread are referring to is a modification that a few companies are now able to do (most prominently, http://www.nav-tv.com) - they charge a lot of money (you have to send in your MCS + ~$1200) and the end result is that they get you a video input into the MCS screen. However, even with this, they could not tap into MB's fiber-optic audio system, so even if you buy a separate DVD player and hook up the video output to this modded MCS, you'll still have to use a lower-quality solution for the audio, such as an FM modulator or a cassette adapter.

Here's an image off Nav-TV's site showing their modded MCS in action:



As far as the alarm system, every single ML comes standard with MB's anti-theft deterrent system. Your panic button should be working - if it does not, you might want to make a trip to the stealership...

And with regard to performance, the break-in factor is key - in addition, the transmission is driver-adaptive, so gradually, if you push it harder, it will respond faster.

Hope this helps

dgrinberg

Thanks you.

I’m really surprised that DVD player for navigation system can not be used to watch DVD movies. I’m sure it’s possible to “hack” the computer.

pointman

you do not need to send your mcs anywhere for the mod to be done. any high end custom shop can do it in about an hour.

amb9800

What kind of "high end custom shop" are you talking about? No one around here can do it, although if I recall, there is a Nav-TV dealer in Manhattan or Brooklyn somewhere. Have you actually tried this - because it is a bit more complex than the COMAND A/V install, which is essentially just an OEM Mercedes module plugging into an existing port.

amb9800

You're welcome

Yeah - I figured there must be some way that the DVD module could play DVD movies - but as far as I know, no one has been able to do this. (the "other forum" (benzworld.org) has a bit more M-Class modders, just if you want to check (I typically don't go there for anything much though - I find the MBWorld community is better

If it wanted to, MB could probably do something, just like certain models with the COMAND system are now able to play MP3's with just a firmware update, but one of the other factors is that MB does sell their rear-seat entertainment system - a pop-down LCD with a DVD player or VCR - and having it work up front in the MCS would require extra effort, which I guess they see as unnecessary. Funny, though, that Toyota, which is typically considered as having less bleeding-edge high-tech gadgetry in its cars than MB, BMW, etc., has a far more unified, straight-forward, and useful system in even mainstream models like the Sienna.

pointman

uhh, my ml plays dvds on the mcs screen.

pointman

read above post. yes, i have done it... twice. works fine. i know it is a seperate unit then the comand module. specific for the ml.

dgrinberg

Ahopeter,

Where would you have this done? You know anybody in NY?

pointman

i have a good friend that had a custom shop... he only does private jobs now.

amb9800

We're talking about MB's DVD navigation module...

dgrinberg

What do you think of powerchipgroup’s claim for their ecu upgrade? They say you’d get 316hp with their upgrade on 93 octane. Is 28hp bump real? Toque is up around 26lb as well.

pointman

i know.

pointman

those numbers sound pretty optimistic.

amb9800

So you're saying your stock MB navigation module is playing DVD movies?

KILLERLEXUS

my bro's jeep grand cherokee got 25 hp from the kn filter and pipe.dyno proven, but i think the ml500 has reached its limits from the factory, cant improve on it any more then the factory has done,

pointman

pipe? downpipes?