An observation on '10 S550 Command
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Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 302
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2007 S550 AMG with ABC
An observation on '10 S550 Command
I had an opportunity today to sit in a 2010 Black/Black S550 with the Sports package and play with the various controls. This particular car didn't have ABC, Distronic or the Rear seat package. A couple observations..
(1) They have completely eliminated the Bluetooth puck. The narrow upper tray is completely gone, there is just the bottom compartment with a separator to give you 2 deep bins.
(2) The Command interface including the screen is completely new. A bit of a surprise how different this is. The Screen is brighter, the graphics are different. The Navigation has more customization including what type of POI icons you can display. They must have listened to me, since you can now find Starbucks (actually Coffee Shops)!!!. They now have a 3D sound setting?
(3) The iPod interface now shows up on the command screen as well as the speedometer screen simultaneously. The iPod command screen integration will finally silence critics of the previous iPod integration. It's fast, it uses the command scroll wheel. While it allows you to select video on the iPhone, it doesn't actually display the iPod video on the command screen.
(4) The cable for the iPod/iPhone charges the latest iPhone and is removable right in the glovebox. The cable has an iPod/iPhone connector as well as a 1/4" female jack for non iPod devices. You can pop off the iPod cable and replace it with one that has a USB connector for say Zune devices that only have USB.
(5) The steering wheel now comes with plastic "flappy" paddles that are an improvement over the previous generation, but not nearly as large or as sturdy as the AMG steering wheel's paddles. I don't really like the feel, but then again I am spoiled by my AMG wheel.
(6) The Brake and Gas Pedals are now upgraded and look like those on the AMG model with brushed Aluminum pedals and black rubber studs.
(7) The speedometer has several new icons , for lane departure and drowsiness.
(8) The seats are a bit more "aggressive" in terms of the bolsters/winglets. There are not as aggressive as the AMG bolstering, but are noticeably improved over the current S550 seats.
Overall a welcome improvement on the inside, and I am happy to see MBZ has stepped up the the electronics game, but I don't think It's enough to upgrade your car, I will be first in however line if MBZ offers an update for the current W221 command system.
(1) They have completely eliminated the Bluetooth puck. The narrow upper tray is completely gone, there is just the bottom compartment with a separator to give you 2 deep bins.
(2) The Command interface including the screen is completely new. A bit of a surprise how different this is. The Screen is brighter, the graphics are different. The Navigation has more customization including what type of POI icons you can display. They must have listened to me, since you can now find Starbucks (actually Coffee Shops)!!!. They now have a 3D sound setting?
(3) The iPod interface now shows up on the command screen as well as the speedometer screen simultaneously. The iPod command screen integration will finally silence critics of the previous iPod integration. It's fast, it uses the command scroll wheel. While it allows you to select video on the iPhone, it doesn't actually display the iPod video on the command screen.
(4) The cable for the iPod/iPhone charges the latest iPhone and is removable right in the glovebox. The cable has an iPod/iPhone connector as well as a 1/4" female jack for non iPod devices. You can pop off the iPod cable and replace it with one that has a USB connector for say Zune devices that only have USB.
(5) The steering wheel now comes with plastic "flappy" paddles that are an improvement over the previous generation, but not nearly as large or as sturdy as the AMG steering wheel's paddles. I don't really like the feel, but then again I am spoiled by my AMG wheel.
(6) The Brake and Gas Pedals are now upgraded and look like those on the AMG model with brushed Aluminum pedals and black rubber studs.
(7) The speedometer has several new icons , for lane departure and drowsiness.
(8) The seats are a bit more "aggressive" in terms of the bolsters/winglets. There are not as aggressive as the AMG bolstering, but are noticeably improved over the current S550 seats.
Overall a welcome improvement on the inside, and I am happy to see MBZ has stepped up the the electronics game, but I don't think It's enough to upgrade your car, I will be first in however line if MBZ offers an update for the current W221 command system.
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223.168 & 213.012 & 906.633 & 214.005
1) The phone integration would now follow that from 204 and 212. There is still a convenience phone option where the UHI connector would be available as previously but the adapters work directly over BT to reach the head unit. Antenna port would be coax of course.
2) you can select the POI selection that is shown on the map from the pre-facelift Comand too. I don't know if the new one is still somehow different.
3) you must be referring to the new media interface which is not only for iPod. This exists on older MBs too, anyway a lot better than the "traditional" iPod interface.
Did this car have the split view Comand display? Did you try how it works, is the display quality still very good with two different views shown simultaneously?
2) you can select the POI selection that is shown on the map from the pre-facelift Comand too. I don't know if the new one is still somehow different.
3) you must be referring to the new media interface which is not only for iPod. This exists on older MBs too, anyway a lot better than the "traditional" iPod interface.
Did this car have the split view Comand display? Did you try how it works, is the display quality still very good with two different views shown simultaneously?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 302
Likes: 4
2007 S550 AMG with ABC
This car didn't have the split view. Me thinks that will only be available with the Rear Seat entertainment package. The New Nav has a host of new POI categories. It is a nice update.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 650
Likes: 24
From: Texas
2015 White/brown Nappa S550, '13 S550 4 matic, 11 S550 sold, '10 S550 Sports BLACK 08 S550 P3 sport
I had an opportunity today to sit in a 2010 Black/Black S550 with the Sports package and play with the various controls. This particular car didn't have ABC, Distronic or the Rear seat package. A couple observations..
(1) They have completely eliminated the Bluetooth puck. The narrow upper tray is completely gone, there is just the bottom compartment with a separator to give you 2 deep bins.
(2) The Command interface including the screen is completely new. A bit of a surprise how different this is. The Screen is brighter, the graphics are different. The Navigation has more customization including what type of POI icons you can display. They must have listened to me, since you can now find Starbucks (actually Coffee Shops)!!!. They now have a 3D sound setting?
(3) The iPod interface now shows up on the command screen as well as the speedometer screen simultaneously. The iPod command screen integration will finally silence critics of the previous iPod integration. It's fast, it uses the command scroll wheel. While it allows you to select video on the iPhone, it doesn't actually display the iPod video on the command screen.
(4) The cable for the iPod/iPhone charges the latest iPhone and is removable right in the glovebox. The cable has an iPod/iPhone connector as well as a 1/4" female jack for non iPod devices. You can pop off the iPod cable and replace it with one that has a USB connector for say Zune devices that only have USB.
(5) The steering wheel now comes with plastic "flappy" paddles that are an improvement over the previous generation, but not nearly as large or as sturdy as the AMG steering wheel's paddles. I don't really like the feel, but then again I am spoiled by my AMG wheel.
(6) The Brake and Gas Pedals are now upgraded and look like those on the AMG model with brushed Aluminum pedals and black rubber studs.
(7) The speedometer has several new icons , for lane departure and drowsiness.
(8) The seats are a bit more "aggressive" in terms of the bolsters/winglets. There are not as aggressive as the AMG bolstering, but are noticeably improved over the current S550 seats.
Overall a welcome improvement on the inside, and I am happy to see MBZ has stepped up the the electronics game, but I don't think It's enough to upgrade your car, I will be first in however line if MBZ offers an update for the current W221 command system.
(1) They have completely eliminated the Bluetooth puck. The narrow upper tray is completely gone, there is just the bottom compartment with a separator to give you 2 deep bins.
(2) The Command interface including the screen is completely new. A bit of a surprise how different this is. The Screen is brighter, the graphics are different. The Navigation has more customization including what type of POI icons you can display. They must have listened to me, since you can now find Starbucks (actually Coffee Shops)!!!. They now have a 3D sound setting?
(3) The iPod interface now shows up on the command screen as well as the speedometer screen simultaneously. The iPod command screen integration will finally silence critics of the previous iPod integration. It's fast, it uses the command scroll wheel. While it allows you to select video on the iPhone, it doesn't actually display the iPod video on the command screen.
(4) The cable for the iPod/iPhone charges the latest iPhone and is removable right in the glovebox. The cable has an iPod/iPhone connector as well as a 1/4" female jack for non iPod devices. You can pop off the iPod cable and replace it with one that has a USB connector for say Zune devices that only have USB.
(5) The steering wheel now comes with plastic "flappy" paddles that are an improvement over the previous generation, but not nearly as large or as sturdy as the AMG steering wheel's paddles. I don't really like the feel, but then again I am spoiled by my AMG wheel.
(6) The Brake and Gas Pedals are now upgraded and look like those on the AMG model with brushed Aluminum pedals and black rubber studs.
(7) The speedometer has several new icons , for lane departure and drowsiness.
(8) The seats are a bit more "aggressive" in terms of the bolsters/winglets. There are not as aggressive as the AMG bolstering, but are noticeably improved over the current S550 seats.
Overall a welcome improvement on the inside, and I am happy to see MBZ has stepped up the the electronics game, but I don't think It's enough to upgrade your car, I will be first in however line if MBZ offers an update for the current W221 command system.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 302
Likes: 4
2007 S550 AMG with ABC
If you configure the 2010 S550 with the items that come standard on an S63 AMG, you can get it to $120K. So the delta is not $50K. I suppose if you drive around in flat texas the comparison seems irrelevant, but for those of us in CA with the roads to appreciate good driving seats these minute details make all the difference. This road is practically in my backyard...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMc2RdFuOxI
I would upgrade my seat covers in a heart beat if MBenzNL could find the AMG covers/bolsters, but he says they are hard to find.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMc2RdFuOxI
I would upgrade my seat covers in a heart beat if MBenzNL could find the AMG covers/bolsters, but he says they are hard to find.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 650
Likes: 24
From: Texas
2015 White/brown Nappa S550, '13 S550 4 matic, 11 S550 sold, '10 S550 Sports BLACK 08 S550 P3 sport
If you configure the 2010 S550 with the items that come standard on an S63 AMG, you can get it to $120K. So the delta is not $50K. I suppose if you drive around in flat texas the comparison seems irrelevant, but for those of us in CA with the roads to appreciate good driving seats these minute details make all the difference. This road is practically in my backyard...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMc2RdFuOxI
I would upgrade my seat covers in a heart beat if MBenzNL could find the AMG covers/bolsters, but he says they are hard to find.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMc2RdFuOxI
I would upgrade my seat covers in a heart beat if MBenzNL could find the AMG covers/bolsters, but he says they are hard to find.
its still not apples to apples. anyway my bad wasting my time...
carry on
