Updating MBUX & Map might fry Computer???
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2021 S500 (Mojave Silver), MB S400 (wife), BMW 750Li (passed on to kids)
Updating MBUX & Map might fry Computer???
Get a load of this:
I have a MY21 S-Class and the MBUX and map haven’t been updated. Car is in service now and I requested to update MBUX to v2.6.1 (latest?) and map. Authorized dealer wants to charge me for map since free update period has passed even though they never updated and said because I never asked for it! They also want to charge me for MBUX update (which is negligible compared to what they for map).
Now here’s the doozy:
They stated: Updating the MBUX and maps might require replacing the computer. And want my approval to replace the computer if update fails. And would charge me over $9,000 !!!
Are they crazy or is it me?
I have a MY21 S-Class and the MBUX and map haven’t been updated. Car is in service now and I requested to update MBUX to v2.6.1 (latest?) and map. Authorized dealer wants to charge me for map since free update period has passed even though they never updated and said because I never asked for it! They also want to charge me for MBUX update (which is negligible compared to what they for map).
Now here’s the doozy:
They stated: Updating the MBUX and maps might require replacing the computer. And want my approval to replace the computer if update fails. And would charge me over $9,000 !!!
Are they crazy or is it me?
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2020
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From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
2023 S580
I've never heard that one before; let's see if anyone else chimes in. But I'm thinking that falls in the "they are crazy" category. Or the 'they're greedy" category.
As for map updates, if you have a PC and a thumb drive, you can do that one yourself fairly easily.
Online map update
As for map updates, if you have a PC and a thumb drive, you can do that one yourself fairly easily.
Online map update
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 714
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From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
2023 S580
Are you out of warranty? If so, I'd call another dealership and ask to speak to an advisor and just ask the question if this is true. Sounds made up. Have you received other over-the-air updates?
Thread Starter
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2021 S500 (Mojave Silver), MB S400 (wife), BMW 750Li (passed on to kids)
Also, we don’t have over-the-air capability. Not even Mercedes Me!
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It's CYA. I've seen similar before, except w/o asking for prior approval to replace hardware if an upgrade fails. This is always a possibility. I've had computers go south after an update to the point where it was unrecoverable. It can happen. There are enough examples of bricked systems after an attempted update.
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Although there is not necessary to do updates for MBUX, you have to understand that like in any other situations when you do updates, phones, TV's, etc risks can occur.
The rate of failure for MBUX is under 2% and is almost 99.99% recoverable after a failed update
I would not worry updating if your dealer has the correct voltage maintainer, legit Xentry, enough experience.
Even if it happens to you the 0.01%.bad luck, with few hundreds you can buy a new already upgraded from @EleBest
The rate of failure for MBUX is under 2% and is almost 99.99% recoverable after a failed update
I would not worry updating if your dealer has the correct voltage maintainer, legit Xentry, enough experience.
Even if it happens to you the 0.01%.bad luck, with few hundreds you can buy a new already upgraded from @EleBest
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'13 s212 63 p30. '06 LX470
Get a load of this:
I have a MY21 S-Class and the MBUX and map haven’t been updated. Car is in service now and I requested to update MBUX to v2.6.1 (latest?) and map. Authorized dealer wants to charge me for map since free update period has passed even though they never updated and said because I never asked for it! They also want to charge me for MBUX update (which is negligible compared to what they for map).
Now here’s the doozy:
They stated: Updating the MBUX and maps might require replacing the computer. And want my approval to replace the computer if update fails. And would charge me over $9,000 !!!
Are they crazy or is it me?
I have a MY21 S-Class and the MBUX and map haven’t been updated. Car is in service now and I requested to update MBUX to v2.6.1 (latest?) and map. Authorized dealer wants to charge me for map since free update period has passed even though they never updated and said because I never asked for it! They also want to charge me for MBUX update (which is negligible compared to what they for map).
Now here’s the doozy:
They stated: Updating the MBUX and maps might require replacing the computer. And want my approval to replace the computer if update fails. And would charge me over $9,000 !!!
Are they crazy or is it me?
MBWorld Fanatic!
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Posts: 1,693
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From: Spain UTC/GMT +2 hours
W213 All-terrain
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 737
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2021 S500 (Mojave Silver), MB S400 (wife), BMW 750Li (passed on to kids)
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E200 2010, G63 2018, E53s 2019, EQS53 Touring 2021, S500 2022, A200 2023
If they claim unit is dead, I may still be able to make it alive.
Thanks.
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Of course there is a Warning when OTA starts the Update,
Indeed, as @EleBest stated the OTA usually happens on the warranty period and OTA is related to a full Firmware swap only when the reason supersedes the risk and when a fault is documented as a major risk.
In rest of the cases OTA just add some patches, without touching the Bootloader part and without risks.
As I am already stated, this risk at dealer is under 2% so you can sign the document if you really want this update.
Within the document or in my or @EleBest advice's there is no obligation for you to buy a 'new" "computer".
I do this kind of Firmware Update for MBUX 1/2 not quite every day but on a regular basis.
Thread Starter
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2021 S500 (Mojave Silver), MB S400 (wife), BMW 750Li (passed on to kids)
I guess it might because your car has no more wrty. If it is under warranty, such warning is meaningless. But update OS does have some little risk, but really very little. If your car runs all good, ignore. But if you insist go ahead, save my number in your phone: +6597335000, or WhatsApp me: https://wa.me/6597335000
If they claim unit is dead, I may still be able to make it alive.
Thanks.
If they claim unit is dead, I may still be able to make it alive.
Thanks.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 737
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2021 S500 (Mojave Silver), MB S400 (wife), BMW 750Li (passed on to kids)
So I guess the question now is are there any features in 2.6.1 that are important/nice to have? My last update was in 2022.
Last edited by Sonic Boom; Jan 30, 2026 at 05:40 AM.
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S580
My 21 was updated by a dealer here in the USA and it bricked the computer. Car was in the shop for a month while they got a replacement and fixed it. That was early in the model cycle and during the pandemic, so I’m sure things have improved. That said, if you just want it upgraded for the sake of upgrading, I’d think twice. I doubt there is any risk for the map update.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 737
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2021 S500 (Mojave Silver), MB S400 (wife), BMW 750Li (passed on to kids)
My 21 was updated by a dealer here in the USA and it bricked the computer. Car was in the shop for a month while they got a replacement and fixed it. That was early in the model cycle and during the pandemic, so I’m sure things have improved. That said, if you just want it upgraded for the sake of upgrading, I’d think twice. I doubt there is any risk for the map update.
TBH I wanted to update just for the “sake of updating,” there are no issues with it other than Apple CarPlay sometimes doesn’t connect right away and have to do a song and dance to connect.
i think I’ll pass on the update.
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S580
Thanks for the info. Who paid for the computer? You or dealer?
TBH I wanted to update just for the “sake of updating,” there are no issues with it other than Apple CarPlay sometimes doesn’t connect right away and have to do a song and dance to connect.
i think I’ll pass on the update.
TBH I wanted to update just for the “sake of updating,” there are no issues with it other than Apple CarPlay sometimes doesn’t connect right away and have to do a song and dance to connect.
i think I’ll pass on the update.
