SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: smartTop

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Oct 29, 2014 | 11:52 AM

RoundTheBenz

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Joined: Nov 2006

Posts: 376

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From: Atlanta, GA

SL550 Designo Crystal & Red Interior - SL55 Silver & Black Interior - E550

smartTop

Hey guys, I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on this and I'm thinking about buying a pre-owned one. Can anyone tell me if I can flash firmware updates to the older model to being it up to date with the latest model?

TIA

Oct 29, 2014 | 07:34 PM

Benz-O-Rama

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Joined: Apr 2006

Posts: 8,137

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From: Maryland

Eurocharged 2004 E500, Eurocharged ECU/TCU 2005 SL600, 2010 Caddy SwaggerWagon

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoundTheBenz

I do believe mine has a USB port for firmware upgrades, but can't confirm what is and isn't compatible...

What does the new firmware get ya?

Oct 30, 2014 | 01:18 AM

latemodel21

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Joined: May 2009

Posts: 1,187

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From: Santa Clara, Ca

2003 SL55 / 2002 SLK32

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoundTheBenz

Yes Scott, you can ...

here is the changelog for the R230 module "STLBMZ1"

http://www.mods4cars.com/m4cupdate/i...BMZ1#cl_anchor

here is a "how to" from the manufacturer on updating
http://www.mods4cars.com/m4cupdate/manual/en.php

Is the used one pretty cheap? I have bought them for $265 (new, including shipping) from Roger at "motivemods" in las vegas (3 of them at that price on separate occasions).

Cheers,
Chris

Last edited by latemodel21; Oct 30, 2014 at 01:24 AM.

Oct 30, 2014 | 08:46 AM

RoundTheBenz

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Joined: Nov 2006

Posts: 376

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From: Atlanta, GA

SL550 Designo Crystal & Red Interior - SL55 Silver & Black Interior - E550

Hey Chris, I tried to get it from Roger but unfortunately he won't budge on price. The used one I can get would cost me $200. I'll check out the changelog and see.

Quote:

Originally Posted by latemodel21

Oct 30, 2014 | 10:46 AM

latemodel21

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Joined: May 2009

Posts: 1,187

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From: Santa Clara, Ca

2003 SL55 / 2002 SLK32

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoundTheBenz

Hey Chris, I tried to get it from Roger but unfortunately he won't budge on price. The used one I can get would cost me $200. I'll check out the changelog and see.

Roger's website (http://www.motivemods.com/Mods4Cars-...4c-stlbmz1.htm) lists it for $284 which is 5% below list (5% below list is the lowest price that any smarttop dealer is allowed by the manufacturer to advertise for as it turns out). The price I quoted may be a special price that Roger gave me because of my dealings with the smarttop developer Stefan Wilhelmy (previously, I had pointed out some issues that required a software update on their R170 smarttop module and I pointed Stefan in the direction of a great deal on a part he needed for one of their in-house "test mules").

Having said all that, $200 is probably a fair price for a used unit. These modules are fairly bullet-proof, particularly the R230 unit which works exclusivly through the CANBUS with only 2 wires needing connections (plus 12v and ground) .... as opposed to some of their other modules (for other MBZ models) which had a multitude of connections , required cutting wires and an external relay, etc

Cheers,
Chris