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2020 S63 Coupe, 2006 Hummer H1 Alpha, 2018 McLaren 720S, 2022 Porsche 911 TurboS, 2022 Tesla Model X
2020 S63 Coupe collected
So far I've only driven it home from the dealership. Love the new powertrain, can tell it is way more aggressive than my 2015 even without getting on it hard. Exhaust sound with valves open in S+/Race modes is amazing - definitely no GPF on these yet. Electronics are reasonably responsive, going to spend some time tonight customizing all the settings and getting used to the new interface. The new front bumper and grille, Swarovski headlamps (2015 didn't have them), OLED tail lamps, and diffuser look great and really complete the car.
As I knew there would be, there are a few detrimental ergonomic changes inside, specifically loss of the seatbelt extender and passenger seat control buttons (and driver memory #3) and much extra work to activate the surround view when parking. But the screens have much higher resolution and everything else remains excellent. New steering wheel is awesome and the useful U88 AMG Drive Unit buttons look great on it.
Fit and finish are as expected... perfect.
Paint protection: PPF, ceramic coat, tint next week.
Video-in-Motion: Not available for refresh yet, code has to be completely redone for NTG5.5.
Lowering: My LoMo won't work, Amazon ODBII apparently won't work because of a firewall; LoMo is local and sourcing another ODBII unit for me to try. But at least in the more aggressive driving modes, the car sits lower than the pre-refresh model and the wheel gap isn't so bad stock.
Exterior carbon: I tried to add the 773 exterior carbon fiber package at the last minute but was too late. I bought aftermarket carbon mirror bowls and rocket inserts for about 1/6th the cost of the OEM parts even with a >30% discount. I have not found OEM-like diffuser or splitter, so will order OEM parts (about $2000 for both) which are in stock within USA.
Countermeasures: DIY hardwire of Uniden, hopefully can find power switched to the ignition in the driver side fusebox.
Performance: Possible ECU tune, undecided for now but leaning towards leaving it stock while under warranty.
2020 S63 Coupe, 2006 Hummer H1 Alpha, 2018 McLaren 720S, 2022 Porsche 911 TurboS, 2022 Tesla Model X
Thanks all!
Apparently DVD-in-Motion has software that is working for NTG5.5 so going to give it a try. I assumed it was same as Video-in-Motion from Bimmerguru but apparently not.
@COOPERDB I bought some carbon fiber mirror bowls off Ebay on sale for $180. They seem to be the original plastic M-B bowls with applied carbon fiber - they are not the cheap carbon-look covers that attach with tape. Wasn't expecting them to look great but they were returnable so figured I'd try... and actually they look very good and basically the same appearance as the OEM carbon fiber mirror bowls, which run well over $2000 for the pair (with no USA stock of the passenger one at this time). And I ordered dry carbon fiber rocker inserts from a source in China, $550 for the pair with shipping and tax (Ebay now collecting sales tax here in AZ) vs $3400 delivered for the OEM parts even with >30% discount Will buy the OEM diffuser and splitter since there is no aftermarket option for those yet, at least with the refresh OEM design - I'll wait until you get a quote from your dealer before ordering. MB-Sacramento and others sell OEM parts online at a 31-34% discount, no tax either but shipping is steep since the parts go to the dealer then have to be reshipped to customer.
Congrats with your new car, looks great!
How do you like using the U88 steering wheel buttons?
Originally Posted by Heisenberg
Video-in-Motion: Not available for refresh yet, code has to be completely redone for NTG5.5.
Originally Posted by Heisenberg
Apparently DVD-in-Motion has software that is working for NTG5.5 so going to give it a try. I assumed it was same as Video-in-Motion from Bimmerguru but apparently not.
My dealer did that for me, using an aftermarket cable, it works perfectly (also Internet/apps work during driving, of course for the co-driver to be used when desired)
2020 S63 Coupe, 2006 Hummer H1 Alpha, 2018 McLaren 720S, 2022 Porsche 911 TurboS, 2022 Tesla Model X
Originally Posted by HAWKiS63
Congrats with your new car, looks great!
How do you like using the U88 steering wheel buttons?
Very much! Super easy to flick the drive mode dial it to S+ or Individual (which I configured same as S+ but with Comfort suspension) as soon as I start the car, which in one motion disables the battery-zapping start/stop, opens the exhaust valves, and tells the car to be a real AMG. I have not found a way to configure the left sided buttons in the menus, they default to ESC off and suspension. To me U88 is a 'must have if you are getting a 2020, otherwise might as well save a load a buy a pre-owned 2018 or 2019. Unfortunately it is limited to only some allocations and incompatible with the warm and comfort package (which I didn't need being in Arizona).
My dealer did that for me, using an aftermarket cable, it works perfectly (also Internet/apps work during driving, of course for the co-driver to be used when desired)
Which cable, the one that connects the iPhone to the USB port for CarPlay or Android Auto? Or something internal ? I was going to order the DVD-in-Motion software this weekend but won't be able to test it until next week as the car is now at the detailer getting paint prep, clear bra (full hood, front and rear bumpers, and rocker panels), ceramic coat, and tint.
Very much! Super easy to flick the drive mode dial it to S+ or Individual (which I configured same as S+ but with Comfort suspension) as soon as I start the car, which in one motion disables the battery-zapping start/stop, opens the exhaust valves, and tells the car to be a real AMG. I have not found a way to configure the left sided buttons in the menus, they default to ESC off and suspension. To me U88 is a 'must have if you are getting a 2020, otherwise might as well save a load a buy a pre-owned 2018 or 2019. Unfortunately it is limited to only some allocations and incompatible with the warm and comfort package (which I didn't need being in Arizona).
Which cable, the one that connects the iPhone to the USB port for CarPlay or Android Auto? Or something internal ? I was going to order the DVD-in-Motion software this weekend but won't be able to test it until next week as the car is now at the detailer getting paint prep, clear bra (full hood, front and rear bumpers, and rocker panels), ceramic coat, and tint.
Which cable, the one that connects the iPhone to the USB port for CarPlay or Android Auto? Or something internal ? I was going to order the DVD-in-Motion software this weekend but won't be able to test it until next week as the car is now at the detailer getting paint prep, clear bra (full hood, front and rear bumpers, and rocker panels), ceramic coat, and tint.
It is a special VIM cable that is hidden, and connected to the COMAND 5*5 system somehow. It not only offers VIM, also internet and other features keep working when driving.
I asked Bimmerguru if they already did support the facelift model, but not (yet).
2020 S63 Coupe, 2006 Hummer H1 Alpha, 2018 McLaren 720S, 2022 Porsche 911 TurboS, 2022 Tesla Model X
Soon as my car back from the detailer (hopefully Wednesday) I'll see if it has the 9 stage traction control, although I tend to doubt Mercedes would enable that on an S Class. Would be great if it is there!
Found a VIM cable install video for W213 so I would think it will be similar for the 2018+ S Class as they use the same COMAND NTG5.5. I had no idea a VIM harness was available. However, it looks like a pain to install - it's always frustrating working with harnesses in very tight spaces - and never fun taking apart an expensive new car. And apparently poster of that video got several bad cables from the Belarus seller.
Software solution is certain easier and cheaper too, particularly when you consider the time involved for installing that cable. Apparently DVD-in-Motion does have a working patch, unlike Bimmerguru. I'll buy it and install when the car is back and follow up here. Although the need for this has diminished since I started using a Samsung S5E Android tablet in the car - it fits perfectly between the AC controls and the console buttons, a couple small bumper pads applied to the back hold it within the cutout for the cup holders so it does not slide on turns. And the 2018+ have 12v socket right there, so can keep it charged. I use a USB-C PD flush adapter with a 180 degree / U-turn USBC cable which allows quick charging and is invisible.
Last edited by Heisenberg; Jan 12, 2020 at 12:07 PM.
Soon as my car back from the detailer (hopefully Wednesday) I'll see if it has the 9 stage traction control, although I tend to doubt Mercedes would enable that on an S Class. Would be great if it is there!
Found a VIM cable install video for W213 so I would think it will be similar for the 2018+ S Class as they use the same COMAND NTG5.5. I had no idea a VIM harness was available. However, it looks like a pain to install - it's always frustrating working with harnesses in very tight spaces - and never fun taking apart an expensive new car. And apparently poster of that video got several bad cables from the Belarus seller.
Software solution is certain easier and cheaper too, particularly when you consider the time involved for installing that cable. Apparently DVD-in-Motion does have a working patch, unlike Bimmerguru. I'll buy it and install when the car is back and follow up here. Although the need for this has diminished since I started using a Samsung S5E Android tablet in the car - it fits perfectly between the AC controls and the console buttons, a couple small bumper pads applied to the back hold it within the cutout for the cup holders so it does not slide on turns. And the 2018+ have 12v socket right there, so can keep it charged. I use a USB-C PD flush adapter with a 180 degree / U-turn USBC cable which allows quick charging and is invisible.
If the software solution works, that would be great of course. My dealer did install the cable pre-devliery (part of the deal ) and indeed it is the same COMAND 5*5.
Let us know if the sw solution works and also for the webbrowsing, etc. Using a (mounted) tablet is indeed a good alternative.
BTW, the 9 steps traction control is not there on the S63 I think , it is only for GT / C63S?
2017 S63 Coupe (Roo); 2020 S63 Coupe (Dorian); 2021 Maybach GLS 600 w/all in 4 seat config (Bach S)
+1 on the software if it works. One of the MB updates killed the Bimmerguru functionality for me last year, and even after applying the software update again I wasn't able to make it work. I'm hoping that with ApplePlay and Heisenberg's neat innovation idea I won't need it again. Perfect use for an iPad that I rarely get to enjoy.
I'll see what you guys do and say. I still have to wait before I get my paws on mine, and these posts and 18 year old Scotch are the only two things that help :-)
2020 S63 Coupe, 2006 Hummer H1 Alpha, 2018 McLaren 720S, 2022 Porsche 911 TurboS, 2022 Tesla Model X
Here is the S5E table from my recently traded 2015 S63 Coupe, power goes to USB-C QC3.0 12v adapter in the ashtray above, flush mount adapter required to close the ashtray drawer. It tethers to my AT&T iPhone which allowed me to stream DirecTV, Youtube, etc and Google Maps with satellite imagery and real time GPS updates. The 2018-2020 S63 have 12v right behind the tablet, so flush mount isn't required.
iPad obviously works too but be aware you need a WiFi+Cellular model if you want the GPS functionality for Google Maps, as the WiFi-only iPads do not have GPS. Many of the WiFi-only Android tablets, like this Samsung S5E, do have GPS. And they are cheap with exceptionally good OLED screens.
Anyway on the refresh cars, it's an easy way to have Apple CarPlay along with full Android running side-by-side And you can remove it instantly if you don't need to use it and don't want to see it.
Exterior carbon: I tried to add the 773 exterior carbon fiber package at the last minute but was too late. I bought aftermarket carbon mirror bowls and rocket inserts for about 1/6th the cost of the OEM parts even with a >30% discount. I have not found OEM-like diffuser or splitter, so will order OEM parts (about $2000 for both) which are in stock within USA.
Please add pics once you add the carbon pieces! I've been thinking about adding them to mine as well - curious to see how the carbon looks against the magnetite.
Apparently DVD-in-Motion has software that is working for NTG5.5 so going to give it a try. I assumed it was same as Video-in-Motion from Bimmerguru but apparently not.
@COOPERDB I bought some carbon fiber mirror bowls off Ebay on sale for $180. They seem to be the original plastic M-B bowls with applied carbon fiber - they are not the cheap carbon-look covers that attach with tape. Wasn't expecting them to look great but they were returnable so figured I'd try... and actually they look very good and basically the same appearance as the OEM carbon fiber mirror bowls, which run well over $2000 for the pair (with no USA stock of the passenger one at this time). And I ordered dry carbon fiber rocker inserts from a source in China, $550 for the pair with shipping and tax (Ebay now collecting sales tax here in AZ) vs $3400 delivered for the OEM parts even with >30% discount Will buy the OEM diffuser and splitter since there is no aftermarket option for those yet, at least with the refresh OEM design - I'll wait until you get a quote from your dealer before ordering. MB-Sacramento and others sell OEM parts online at a 31-34% discount, no tax either but shipping is steep since the parts go to the dealer then have to be reshipped to customer.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
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) and indeed it is the same COMAND 5*5.
