I have a 2019 GLC300 that is almost at end of extended warranty. I was trying to get the dealership to update all the software on various modules to latest, however they refused. They refused even if I were to pay for time, as Mercedes guidance according to them is not touch unless I can point out a specific issue I am having. I find this out, as basically I have to prove I have a bug in order to get fix, instead of doing it proactively. There is no real reason I am doing this, other than as a software engineer myself I want my vehicle to have latest software and I find it somewhat offensive that I am blocked from being able to apply it to my vehicle.

So i decided to do on my own. I initially registered with Mercedes US with intent to purchase time slices for Xentry Passthru, however I then found out they only offer annual subscriptions, costing $6600 at this time. So that route is closed.

I am intending to purchase a vxdiag VCX SE (and flashing charger). I also see that the software is available on SSD from various places. The blocker from what I can tell, is that flashing/coding requires a live connection, which means I need someone with an actual subscription and flash access to login. Login also seems to be per module, meaning if I were to update 5 modules I would need 5 logins.

Curious if anyone has tried this route, and how they lined up a coder and if any issue with using the xentry images that are out there, or what might be a reliable source.

Still frustrated how difficult Mercedes has made this. Their intent seems to be only dealerships should be allowed this level of access. I hope one day we have stronger right to repair laws.

 

Updating all the software is a different issue.
Basically the dealer is correct if there are no issues the software should bee left alone.
You won't gain much if anything by updating all the software.

There's also other ways to get the software/hardware needed like Xentry, DTS Monico and Videamo if you need more help message me.

 

I used to think exactly like about firmware updates. ... I too luv code updates and patches very much.

Modules that may benefit updates are in that order:

1. TCU tranny
2. ECU engine
3. DCU doors
4. CGW gateway

See published TSB's for your chassis to spot known big bad bugs...

However doing a mass update campaign is not a great idea. One or few changes at a time is better.
As a software engineer you know about dependencies & test coverage. Chances are firmware patches are not too compatible and not tested all together, right?
The low paid code maintenance is not too great as you can imagine - It is that way everywhere.

So there is more value in minimal changes unless specific bugs are playing out in your current set of options.

 

VCX SE is the worst tool for MB. Very unstable.
Buying an SSD with installed programs...full of ninja Chinese cracks and spybots when you are an engineer...you can install yourself for personal use with eBay help for 40$ and the best interface for your car is a 15$ Openport. Rest is folklore.

The Xentry PT ( in the EU) is less than 200$ per year plus hourly tokens, so maybe you received wrong information. You no need full year token, as you will use a few hours.

In engineering there is a saying...never change anything that's working!

 

ie. if it works don't f** with it.

 

Especially at MB.....

 

I've done most of my research using gemini, so definitely might have been mislead on some things : ) I actually did register with startekinfo.com as individual workshop with intent to buy, and can confirm it is annual only, at least for US market. I emailed support asking if possible to get shorter subscription but they said annual only and that is same for global markets. I would have gladly paid a few hundred to get a week subscription and done this all the official way.

I was looking at the VCX SE mainly for DoIP, because according to gemini it is much to slow to flash some modules without it, like head unit (NTG 5.5). THe longer the flash the more risk for issues.

Also according to gemini, my 2019 would not have some security gateway, so i don't need some zenzifi certificates which apparently is a whole thing on its own.

I have no idea which modules would have an available update, would need to run 'quick test' apparently to identify.
My plan was to update one at a time, verify and continue. I read that some updates require dependent updates, so hopefully Mercedes is handling the integration here.

As far as not changing it, if not broken, I have always taken the opposite route. I have been burned enough times by production issues that turned out to be something already fixed in a dependency. Its possible to break something with updates as well of course, my putting my trust in Mercedes quality assurance. If anyone has experience with an module update breaking something, please let me know : )

I have a lexus (2021) as well, which actually they did apply all updates (called calibrations) when i took it for service one recently, I just asked nicely to the service manager. Just mercedes giving me issues.

 

Subscription - the right to buy tokens for legit Xentry Diagnosis this is under 200USD for one year
Tokens - by hour, by day, by week,etc

Only Xentry legit can do programming.

If you want to do it Offline, you may use DTS Monaco 8.16 and a 15$ Openport interface.

GLC never had NTG5.5, maybe NTG6. Anyway, any can be flashed as well with DTS Monaco 8.16 and Enet cable - 10$.

VCX SE or any other C4,5,6, etc can't be used regardless the adverts.

 

From what I can tell that is EU market only. Things seem much easier there. 180 Euro for year plus token cost like you mentioned.

I do not see such option in US. Its either the full diagnosis kit ($30k) or $7k passthru.

Please let me know if I am incorrect.

 

Maybe you are right because you chosed 1 Year full time tokens.

 

TIPS,WIS,Operation TIme,Technical Info are all available in 1 day,week,month,year but passthru only giving option for year.

 

True, but off topic here...

 

I had the same desire to keep my car up to date. The dealer is correct in that the guidance from HQ is to not do any updates unless there is a problem, or recall/service campaign. They have gotten more aggressive about this recently I believe.
The real reason is, there are hundreds of modules and updating is slow can could take many hours - taking up a dealer's workstation and earning them little to no revenue.
Regarding updating on your own, you can't. At least not cheaply. You would need those expensive subscriptions, and for new cars I believe you need to go through an intense vetting process. It is much easier in Europe.

Personally, I would ask them nicely if they can update the COMAND/MBUX system and maybe the instrument cluster. Anything other than that likely won't have any noticeable benefits.

 

From what I can tell, is I think some compatible device (vcx se, openport), a preloaded ssd with cracked software I think and someone to actually provide the credentials with flash access.

The last part is the hard one, and even then not sure if it would work. The updates come live from server, so assuming they have some way of making sure software is legit, also StartKey requirement.

I was hoping someone here had going through US side of doing this and could provide a path. If I were in EU this definitely seems like would have been feasible.

Best case if dealership would charge me to do, their rate is $270 per hour.

I contacted some local to me shops that specialize in European vehicles , but none of them had xentry passthru

 

The Hardware ( the laptop together with the SSD) need to be registered into server for anyone with an account to login.
Started doesn't seem to answer at a question regarding the tokens, as the Xentry it's always one year.incremennts

 

I'm looking how to do this offline now to cut out dependency on third party.

It would seem DTS Monaco tool supports coding offline, meaning if I have the packages available it can code them. Only 2021+ vehicles need ZenZefi certs, so my 2019 should be ok.

There is some 'SCN coding' i see mentioned, but that seems like its for hardware replacement, no needed for updating existing modules.

If this flow is right then would be
1. Get preload ssd with DTS Monaco and image files (SDFlash)
2. offline coding each module

 

Do not forget to mention about the ninja quality of service, like a pro, like a real engineer who already learned how SCN works, as he now tries to hack SWFinder server for selling the update package that's belongs to Daimler.