Hi guys, I'm new to the forum and need some help on a 2005 sl500 navigation issue.

So basically I am about to buy a sl500 which has only 22k miles on it and everything works like it should except for the navigation....The message on the screen says "Needs Upgrade" or something like that. The seller doesn't know too much about it..he showed me the comand disc which was in a cd changer in the driver side of the trunk......

1. Isn't the cd changer supposed to be in the compartment behind the drivers seat? (I forgot to check myself when I test drove it.)
2. The comand disc...shouldn't that be in the cd slot above the nav screen?
3. Has anyone had this problem? and how did you fix it?

If anyone can help me out that would be great. Thanks.

 

In my 2003 SL55, I use the command disc in the cd slot above the navigation screen with no problems.

Not sure about the trunk cd changer as mine is in compartment behind driver's seat. Sounds like an aftermarket installation in trunk?

I would be careful about this car, if the "seller" doesn't know much Command disc and trunk cd changer, etc. Also, very low mileage for 5 to 6 year old car? Get it PPI'd by MB and check "Car Fax", etc.

Good luck!

 

The person I am buying from is a doctor and so is his wife who drove the car. They have provided me with all MB services paperwork and past history of the car and I have done the carfax and autocheck on it. Everything comes out clean. So I'm not worried too much, I just think they never cared for the nav to work and didn't even try to put the comand disc in the cd slot above the nav screen. I will give them a call today and see if they can try it and hopefully it will work.

 

Also just for clarification: The cd slot above the nav screen is actually a dvd reader correct? as the comand disc is a dvd??

If you were to eject the comand disc what error would the screen say?? Needs Upgrade??

 

I'll be driving to a friend's house tonight and check on answers to your questions shikaka85.

I'll check placement of the DVD nav system reader, what it says when disc is removed and whether the disc works if inserted into the center console reader. I'll post either late tonight or tomorrow morning.

I know that I play my MP3 CDs and MP3 DVDs (data discs) in that center slot and have tried a DVD, although I only got audio to play -- no picture due to the stupid US laws regarding that sort of thing.

Oh and the thing in the storage compartment behind the seat is the CD changer. I've only gotten audio CDs to play in there.

-ROOK

 

Rook3300 - Hey I appreciate that, I'll check back later.

 

The NAV DVD drive you are looking for is in the driver side of the trunk. The slot in the dash is used for firmware/driver updates.

I had my MB dealer update the drivers in my 05 SL last Spring. Navi would run up to the 2007 release, 2008 was flakey, and it would not load 2009 or 2010 at all. In my part of the country with road construction etc. 2007 was way out of date.

Dealer did several firmware updates via the dash slot, and the 2010 release works perfectly now.

You may well need the firmware updates if the prior owner did not use the Nav.

Best of luck with it.

 

Ok, here goes:

1. NAV system is in the trunk on the driver's side (as previous poster stated). It's hidden behind a door that is latched with a black latch. Turn counter-clockwise to unlatch it. The 2005 model takes nav DVDs.

2. When the NAV disc is not in, the nav screen displays "No navigation disc." (Or something like that.)

3. When inserting the disc into the center console, it then reads "No audio/video on disc, Invalid format"

4. The NAV disc does nothing when inserted into the cd changer. Mine is in the storage compartment behind the driver's seat.

5. As the previous posted stated, you can use the center console to flash the NAV firmware in case you want to use updated discs.

Either the disc has never been placed in the NAV reader in the trunk or the current owner has an incorrect disc for the model. (Too old or too new.) The only way to tell would be to read what you can off of the disc and possibly get a dealer to look at it real quick for you. Bring a $20 bill and they'll spare 10 minutes for ya.

-ROOK

 

Rook3300 - Thank you for doing the tests for me That basically puts things into perspective, and also what NCE500 said about the firmware.

Thanks guys

 

I met up with the seller today and it turns out the dvd he has in the nav unit is a burned copy and it basically isn't reading correctly. Would anyone know where I can buy a new updated dvd for cheap? The dealer charges $250+ .... but I figure, if someone burns a copy on a decent dvd like verbatim brand then it shouldn't have an issue. What do you guys think.....

 

No idea but now you've got me thinking. I may have to give that a try this weekend. I'll make a copy of my nav DVD and try the burned one in the reader. I'll reply back on this thread as to how it turns out.

-ROOK

 

Success! My NAV DVD disc is version 2005.1 and just contains some *.DB files on it (when disc contents are viewed on a PC).

I burned a copy of the disc using Nero 9 Essentials (the free version) onto a Verbatim x16 DVD+R disc. It worked just fine in my nav system reader. To test it, I took a birds eye flight from central Louisiana and right through to the western border of Texas. No problems.

-ROOK

 

I see this comment frequently about being careful with low mileage cars. My car are all low mileage and it is not because they are problematic, I just don't drive them much and whoever buys one used from me gets a great low mileage car. Fiscally smart--- no but that is me. I truly dislike it when people make sweeping generalities without any substance behind their comments.

 

Sorry but when you're the exception and not the rule, you'll be the target of sweeping generalities. MB sells thousands and thousands of cars every year. Cars are meant to be driven. Heck, a number of parts only operate properly and give a long life if they are used consistently and constantly. Rubber compounds release oils when exercised -- tires, hoses, gaskets and seals work better when cycled in regular intervals. (This is why unused tires dry-rot quickly.) Many mechanical parts must be lubricated and left with a coat of oil to stave off corrosion. And many mechanical parts that go unused will fail the first time they are called upon after an extended period of dis-use.

If you keep up your car, that's great. But many people who keep "garage queen" cars don't know how to really care for them while they are garaged.

I wonder if we talk to some service people how many times they are asked why the battery goes flat. "Did you drive it recently?" They'll ask the customer. "Why, not for a few months. Why? Is that a problem?" *smack the forehead* A lot of people don't know anything about cars. That is a generality, but the statistics bear it out.

Now that we're well , let's get this train back on track.

-ROOK

 

If you took time to read my post, you would have noticed that I advised, due to low mileage, to simply check out car carefully. Doing so, would have confirmed if a genuine low-mileage vehicle.

As to substance, I have, many years ago, purchased a "low mileage car", to find out later, it had been seriously "clocked", with more than a 100,000 miles extra. The car didn't show this mileage, as "well cared for", and seats had been replaced, foot pedal rubbers renewed, etc., and I made big mistake of purchasing without a service history or inspection.

I learned my lesson the hard way, so I will continue to advise, that anyone should be wary of extreme low-mileage, and do their homework, before purchase. I wish people would just keep their mouths shut, when they don't have any better experience.

Don't bother to give any "smart-assed" remarks; just go play with your toys.

I have nothing further to say on this matter, will not respond to any coments, and in future, will not provide any further helpful info on this site.

Enough, already!

 

Hooooray. Another short-fused forum poster. From where I stood while reading it, it seemed as if you were trying to cite proof from one example -- yourself. The only "advice" you gave was that you take care of your cars and anyone who buys one from you is getting a "great deal". Whoopie. Please point out the exact series of words in your quote I've happily provided below that counts as advice or a suggestion to check out the vehicle before purchasing.

Again, one example is not proof against sweeping generalities. And it's definitely not a good sign for your own argument when all you do is attack the person who simply contradicted you. I didn't attack -- I stated a differing opinion. Just chill.


Anyway; shikaka85, did you check out what I said about the nav system yet? You might be able to get ahold of a disc on eBay for pretty cheap.

-ROOK

 

gone for a few days and ....wow lol.

Rook3300 - Hey yea I actually got the data off the burned dvd that was not reading too well in the nav system and burned it onto a new dvd and everything works! that was a cheap fix.