Just received an email from MB USA notified us that the latest Map update is avail at the Dealership for $249.

Hmmmm.... Wonder if it's worth it now that our ML's map is probably a year old. How much update is the $249 worth?

Just bought a nice fully loaded Garmin GPS for our son's car (his car doesn't have built in Nav) for less than $100.

I know, it's not the same thing, apples & oranges. But it does get him from point A to point B, all the same.

So.... Do you think it's worth the $249 upgrade? yet?

Not for me its not. That is highway robbery! Updates might be important to people who travel a lot or live in areas where subdivisions are going up every day with new streets and roads but out here where I am the roads I travel on 99% of the time are the same ones that were used by wagon trains. And I doubt there will be new roads built out here any time soon.

having just bought a new ML with Jan 2013 rego do you think I will have any luck arguing that they should give me the update for free?

because the disc that came with the car is labelled 2012 Aus V18.0

And already I've found it tries to route me through (old) no-right-turn signs.

if you know how to use the internet ... it will be your best friend, all I am going to say

jellies....

You should argue forcefully that you bought a new car and it should come to you with the latest software. That includes all of the software that runs the car itself AND the map software!!

In Europe you get 3 years of free upgrades, so check what is actually on offer

In America, we get FREE healthcare for life now...

Can't afford house nor car payments, but at least healthcare is now FREE...

The FREE healthcare is only for the illegals. Citizens will be FORCED to pay or get fined

Doubt it's worth it. I update mine ~3 years.

I updated mine only because it was a gift. Save your $. I see no difference.

I dont understand, in the us, you don t get free updates untill the warranty runs out?

Thanks for the sugg.
I agree.
With my BMW, I only updated every few yrs, since there's not many road changes around here.

I gifted a few of the Garmin GPS units on sale to family members for Xmas, all with free lifetime updates, all under $1000 now.
So these built ins GPS units that comes with the cars for $2000 upgrades, often in hi-prices bundles, should at least gives us free lifetime upgrades & not nickel & dime us to death.
Guess I won't be spending $250 for an upgrade this go-round...

No free updates ever.

Check Navteq, I think it is less than $249. And is probably the "simplest" thing to do on a MB as far as updates.

If you have M-Brace they will download a specific and current route to your navigator if your internal map is out of date and the address or destination you've selected is not shown. I remember calling them once and asked for address guidance and they downloaded it to my navigator while I was driving. I got to the destination without a hitch. I'm sure M-Brace has all the current maps.

Of course, you have to be a subscriber to get this benefit but I would rather subscribe to M-Brace than pay $250 for a map update every year. You can also send a current and up-to-date map of a specific destination from your PC (Google Maps) to your navigator but once again, this is an M-Brace feature. Simply put, if you have M-Brace, you do not need to pay for map updates.

Good comment shortsp - much appreciated !

The only free update I ever got was when the GPS unit had to be replaced (warranty). The updated disk came with it.

Hmmm. I'm going to re-subscribe in M-Brace again then. Does anyone else have issues with their Nav? Like, lets say the voice on the Nav will tell you, your destination is on the left/right from 500 ft away and your driving on the opposite side of the st.... My OnStar warns me from half a mile away so I can move to that side....

Get a smart phone alway get the map update

In the US from MY 2015 onward 3 updates are included. It is NOT necessary to update every year. Every 2 - 3 years is sufficient.