My car: 2012 S550 W221.
Is there a way to update the navigation software/maps on this car?

Thanks.

 

There hasn't been an update to the maps for the W221 for many years now. There are, however, many options available for a CarPlay interface. I installed one from Joyeauto a couple of years back. It's a bit of a faff getting all the wires into a rather cramped space but it is doable and you don't have to modify the standard wiring of the car at all. I'm not saying that Joyeauto is the best but it is working fine for me. Google maps is just so much better than anything Mercedes produced; it has real-time traffic monitoring so no more getting stuck in traffic unexpectedly. The unit supports audio too of course so no more messing with CD's.

 

2015 is the last maps for the post Aug 2009 NTG3.5 system - needs a code and faffing about
the earlier NTG3.0 system got updates to 2019 - pop the disc in it will click and whirr and spit it out - push it back in and it will update in 45 mins - run engine (as per instructions) or provide 6 amp power supply

 

It is funny how Mercedes gets away with this scam. Here in U.S. I understand is a law that car maker must provide parts for the car they sell for 10 years. By this they should have had map updates until 2022 for the car made and sold as 2012 model, but they stopped in 2015!?!

 

yep - it really is outrageous to have stitched owners up - I too don't understand how they got away with it - in W Europe its must provide support for 7 years... and they did on the early ones

one bit that shocked me is how on earth USA gets more roads than 45 countries in Europe... so they ran out of space a bit early... for me the points of interest which one almost never uses is what stops us having maps we need - as for supporting google with ever more traffic jams its not one I'm interested in sponsoring

 

I did the same as martinjcheetham, sourced a 3rd party box that fits in behind the command unit and now can choose between CarPlay or Android Auto.
It is invisible, uses all the MB buttons and dials and I can quickly toggle between the Command menu and the new interface if I need to.

I would suggest this method, as indicated, the Google Maps, or Waze navigation are far superior to a quite dated MB navigation system.

I would suggest going to a specialist car audio shop and seeing what they may have to offer in the way of this sort of solution. Not a replacment system, but a box that is inserted between the MB command and the rest of the vehicle components.

 

If your car is equipped with NTG3.5 I can give a free Activation code for latest map from Mercedes DLM