Chris The Swede

Is this a direct swap or is it difficulties like on the W211? Anyone knows?

What is the difference on them exept the new one play DVD Video and can take my iphone over bluetooth and save MP3 on HD?

Diesel Benz

The old one too plays DVDs. Early US cars would need a telematics update for that though.

Chris The Swede

I noticed. And you can get the bird view with a software uodate as well as I undertand so no much need to upgrade I guess since the bluetooth can also be solved with a Viseeo.

lboudreau

The only thing you wont get is the ability to copy music to the hard drive (music register) Not really with the $2 Billion they'll charge you for the new unit.

Chris The Swede

I pay 769$ But even then sure not woth it .

obnic

Has anyone undertaken this work successfully yet? If so, please can you give an indication of the work / cost involved.

Chris The Swede

Why do you want to do it?

obnic

Thats a fair question. I have an odd set of circumstances I think.

I have an s500l that has a fantastic spec and very low mileage (sub 20,000) so I have no intention of changing the car anytime soon but I have a third child on the way who will need to sit exactly where the rear seat entertainment control console and DVD player is. The NTG3.5 allows you to pipe video from the front head unit to the rear screens.

I also want the media interface because the standard iPod integration kit is pretty pants and I want to be able to use full postcodes to enter navigation destinations in the uk. But these are secondary considerations. The need to be able to provide my two young kids with entertainment in the rear is the primary goal.

Chris The Swede

Why not these instead?

http://www.mbscashopen.se/se/article...0&fullheight=0

Looks original and have built in DVD player. Then they can play what ever they want.

obnic

Hi Chris

Looking back to your first question I have observed (rather than researched) the following functional differences between an NTG3 and NTG3.5 in a 2011 S500l in the UK.

The NTG 3.5 HDD is 40GB vs 20GB
You can control the rear entertainment system from the front head unit
Including piping video from the front DVD changer to the rear screens
You can fit the media interface. This allows you to control the iPod using the secondary COMAND screen and the dial controller in the central console. Crucially this displays whole lists of songs or playlists or menu options rather than one entry at a time.
The system has a stored GraceNote database for song data.
Navigation allows you to search 7 character post (zip) codes rather than the first 5 characters only which is as good as useless since it gets you to the town/village only
The map displays branded symbols for fuel stations rather than a generic pump symbol
The linguatronic seems improved - better able to recognise whole words rather than requiring you to spell them
The menu structures seem a bit better thought through
The PCMCIA slot is lost in favour of an SD card slot

It's just a bit more of a polished offering all around.

obnic

May be the ultimate answer. Was hoping to work with the rear seat screens already installed though. Still investigating options. Have until June to install a solution. After that distronic will be dealing with sleep deprivation!

Chris The Swede

I would also like the new one...But the only answers I get from everywhere is you need new:

- Head unit
- Split screen monitor
- Wiring
- Possible cluster change
- Programing with SDS

and a look at the wiring diagram you will see that the wires are different as well.

If you find a solution I am very intrested though as well. One thing I like with the old one though is that you can watch DVD while you are driving and Navi still works. If you add that module to the new one the Navigation dont work wile watching DVD. The size of the harddisc have no importens. Dont see why?

steveb9771

Another difference for US version:
Real time traffic changed from using RDS data broadcast by FM radio stations to Sirius which requires a paid monthly subscription. RDS is free in the US for our vehicles for life. Also map updates require the purchase of an encryption code which is unique for each VIN number and map version. This precludes loading a new map DVD on multiple vehicles.

oljustice

I'm resurrecting this old thread. Has ANYONE successfully swapped a NTG3 unit for a NTG3.5 - e.g. replaced a 2009 CL/S class unit with one from a 2010-2014? If anyone has done this or has some insight with what's involved, It would be a great help! I'm looking to tackle this for my 2009 CL63. I don't care about the cost of the parts as i can get them at dealer discount.

Chris The Swede

- Head unit
- Split screen monitor
- Wiring
- Possible cluster change
- Programing with SDS


If the cost is no issue then just swap it.

oljustice

Hmm.. That doesn't seem *too* bad. You wouldn't happen to have part numbers would you? I'm assuming the screen/cluster change would only be necessary if you don't already have the rotating display? I've always wondered why my 2009 CL63 has the 2 buttons that rotate the display if Splitview didn't become available until the following year...

Chris The Swede

Rotate is standard on all W221 and W216. Has nothng to do with split view.

oljustice

Thanks for all your help. I have one more question. I'm reading that the software scan/programming that will be necessary is somehow tied to the vehicle's VIN (maybe I'm thinking about the map update?). Do you think this will pose an issue the the swap? I'm about the pull the trigger on the NTG3.5 splitview screen and main headunit. I just want to make sure i don't run into any software blockers....

Chris The Swede

No probs with maps. Tht is just a DVD you insert. But the user software can be a problem. But there will not be much more updates now when a new body have been launched.

dabizla

Did you ever retrofit the comand ntg3.5 into your w221? I have a 2009 cl65 amg with unusual component input where the aux input usually is in the glove box. Was wondering if you have parts and whether you needed a new instrument cluster and wiring as well to retrofit the ntg3.5? I am trying to stream bluetooth and video from my phone but I am not even able to use the viseeo 1000 or 3000 since my car doesn"t have the standard aux plug as most cars our year and model. If you did complete the retrofit what were the part numbers and parts you had to swap to achieve the ntg swap from 3 to ntg3.5?

much appreciated

tx170754

If you have an Ipod cable in your glover box you can stream music using a device named CoolStream, just attach it, turn to AUX and bingo ! That's what I'm using it w/o any problems.

dabizla

No I do not have the iPod cable as I stated in my post. The odd part is my car has some factory component inputs where the iPod plug should be in the glove box upper right corner. I have the yellow red and white composite plugs instead which is a bit confusing. I have a 2009 and was wondering what was Required if anyone did convert the ntg3 to 3.5 comand complete system? Is it even worth the upgrade or is there a way to retrofit the iPhone usb aux input for audio streaming with the ntg3 comand? Here is a pic of my glove box with component inputs




Thx

Chris The Swede

That is Video input

dabizla

That's what I thought. What would be my option for the aux input and Bluetooth audio streaming? I do not see aux input in the glove box compartment but the aux input is available in the comand nav screen and I can select it. Do I have to buy Mercedes media plus is that even compatible with 2009 comand and navigation units? What can I do to stream Bluetooth audio on my unit?

Thx

tx170754

I would go to a Mercedes dealer and ask them what can be done, I would be surprised if your car doesn't have an Ipod adapter, maybe the previous owner did changed something...