C207 2015 Engineering Menu / BT Audio

[Mujja]

In an effort to set bass levels to default as discussed in my other thread I found a reset option under Vehicle settings. The reset cleared the previous owners settings including, which I had been removing manually, and also removed the option to select a BT media device.

Reading around the option needs to be enabled in the engineering menu but how to I access it.

I think I have NTG 5, the buttons are flat and there is an SD slot. The display is the non-widescreen etc.

With the engine off and ignition button pressed once, which I believe is the same as position 1, I turned comand on and pressed (end call + # + 1) and held for 10 to 15 seconds and nothing happened. Is there another combo.

I read another post for the newer comands saying the engineering menu needs to be enabled by the dealer before it can be accessed.

 

[Mujja]

Went back out to the car and tried some other methods

- holding scroll wheel to the right, nothing
- in vehicle, system settings holding scroll wheel to the left, nothing

Unless someone has anything else to try a visit to a deal or specialist will be needed. Seems crazy a reset can disable BT streaming and the engineering menu.

 

[Srdl]

The “end call / # / 1“ you mentioned certainly worked on my 207 but that had NTG4. I'm sure I remember reading on here somewhere that there isn't any access to the Engineering Menu on NTG5 - unfortunately!

MBS in Southampton are well recommended on here and I have used them several times.

Your other alternative is to go to the real Mercedes audio experts who are Comand based in Lightwater, close to J3 of the M3. Again, I have used them a couple of times and they are highly regarded on here. A nice morning out for you from Pompey! @Alfie is on here sometimes.

 

[Mujja]

I submitted an online enquiry to Silver Arrow in Fareham, a MB specialist.

I might get in touch with Comand and get a map update while I'm there.

And it seems I have NTG 5 or 5.5

https://www.lastvin.com/vin/RBNljdnj34OdobpO8

And also active park assist. I noticed the blue P icon and wasn't sure what it was

 

[Srdl]

I submitted an online enquiry to Silver Arrow in Fareham, a MB specialist.

I might get in touch with Comand and get a map update while I'm there.

And it seems I have NTG 5 or 5.5

https://www.lastvin.com/vin/RBNljdnj34OdobpO8

And also active park assist. I noticed the blue P icon and wasn't sure what it was

Yours has NTG 5*1 because it has the numeric keypad. NTG 5*2 and 5.5 don’t.

 

[Mujja]

I've emailed sales at Comand Online to book me in for a firmware update. Asked if the firmware update they provide will also update other components like the transmission, ECU etc as these may also need updating. My map is the original 2016, free updates were never applied by the dealer, which could also mean other firmware updates were also skipped.

Looked at the other products Comand Online offer including Android Auto at £400, being able to use Google Maps means I can skip the Mercedes map updates. However, there are OBD cartridges available for <£100 which claim to enable Android Auto, the C207 with NTG5 S1 is on the list but it needs a minimum firmware level.

Is NTG5.1 and NTG5 S1 the same thing?
How do I check my Comand firmware level?

 

[Srdl]

Is NTG5.1 and NTG5 S1 the same thing?
How do I check my Comand firmware level?

It’s NTG 5*1 (or 5 Star 1) so, yes, the same thing.
I can’t remember how to check the firmware level but I’ll have a look in mine later if I get a chance.

 

[Mujja]

I'm booked in Monday morning with Comand Online to update the firmware for £150. From their reply below this will also hopefully improve the sound from the amplifier which is too boomy.

The firmware update will update the internal software on the Comand and
any associated attached components such as DAB, media interface, amplifier
etc.

I wonder what the DAB update adds

Before the reset the media devices were all displayed as a carousel, now I need to select devices and pick from a vertical list. I'd like the previous interface back.

Comand Online did say a reset won't remove the BT audio streaming, I wonder why the reset did this time around. Maybe the new firmware update adds it permanently instead of an optional feature enable in the engineer menu.

@Srdl Thanks for the recommending Comand Online.

If Comand Online only update what's listed in their reply I'd still need to get other firmwares updated, I read the transmission and ECU may need updates. Is there anything else I need? The MB dealer in Portsmouth was busy when I called and promised to give me a call back on Monday to discuss.

Comand Online also offered a map update for £150. I'm undecided yet as I might go for the Android Auto update, but I'd prefer not to have to take my phone out and plug it in every time I wanted reliable navigation. £150 seems worth it for an update from a reliable source instead of risking it with a SD card from eBay.

 

[Srdl]

Firmware version:
Go to “Vehicle Settings” and pull the control wheel down to highlight “System Settings”
Hold the control wheel left for quite a few seconds until the “Dealer Menu” appears, scroll down to “Sys” then select “System Info”


As for transmission and ECU updates, did you buy your car from the Mercedes Dealer in which case you should get them to do it for free on the basis that you would expect the car to be up to date when you bought it.

If you didn’t, then you need someone with Star/Xentry to do it as they will need to connect to the Mercedes' servers in Germany. An Indie is likely to be cheaper than a Dealer and will probably do a better job. I don’t know whether Silver Arrows have the right kit but MBS in Southampton do. If your Pompey blood stops you going into Saints territory, you could try PCS at Horndean who could do it for you.

Personally, I would get the map update done while you are in Lightwater. Even if you did go the Android Auto route, The inbuilt system is always available regardless of mobile signal, etc.

 

[Srdl]

Went back out to the car and tried some other methods

- holding scroll wheel to the right, nothing
- in vehicle, system settings holding scroll wheel to the left, nothing

Unless someone has anything else to try a visit to a deal or specialist will be needed. Seems crazy a reset can disable BT streaming and the engineering menu.

I now see you’ve tried this before. Don’t click on “System Settings”, just leave it highlighted and then hold the wheel to the left. I couldn’t get mine to work and I think I clicked on “System Settings” and then went back to the main screen with “System Settings” highlighted and tried it again and then it worked.

 

[Mujja]

I now see you’ve tried this before. Don’t click on “System Settings”, just leave it highlighted and then hold the wheel to the left. I couldn’t get mine to work and I think I clicked on “System Settings” and then went back to the main screen with “System Settings” highlighted and tried it again and then it worked.

I only highlighted system setting, didn't click in to the menu.

Wasn't able to find any methods to get in to the menu, some users say the option has been removed on NTG5+

It gives me an excuse to get the firmware updated and if any other new features are unlocked it's a bonus.

 

[Mujja]

@Srdl Added PCS and MBS to my contacts. Who I go to will depend on what I'm able to do during the half a day the car is needed for.

I can get a taxi from Silver Arrows back home for not too much and continue working, I'm moving to Fareham next week. MBS and PCS aren't near anything interesting to kill a few hours. I could take something to read and watch if I really needed to.

 

[Srdl]

Wasn't able to find any methods to get in to the menu, some users say the option has been removed on NTG5+.

Works for me on NTG 5*2

 

[Mujja]

Solved the BT audio issue. Watching MBZ Master's videos this afternoon and on some options like Radio, Tel and Media there is an arrow in the bottom right corner which lead to more options.

On the Media tab this opened the carousel which I lost after a reset. In the carousel was the option to connect to a BT device and all is good.

Still visiting Comand on Monday AM as it wouldn't be fair to cancel with short notice and it would still be nice to get the map and firmware updates. Plus give me an excuse to take the car on another drive.

 

[micky.]

Solved the BT audio issue. Watching MBZ Master's videos this afternoon and on some options like Radio, Tel and Media there is an arrow in the bottom right corner which lead to more options.

On the Media tab this opened the carousel which I lost after a reset. In the carousel was the option to connect to a BT device and all is good.

Still visiting Comand on Monday AM as it wouldn't be fair to cancel with short notice and it would still be nice to get the map and firmware updates. Plus give me an excuse to take the car on another drive.

You could try pressing the media console button twice, that will change the interface. Same with the satnav and the tel buttons - pressing them repeatedly will toggle between two different interfaces. Also re your maps, I used EBay last week. I offered £85, which was accepted, and I then applied an eBay 8% voucher (price8), which took it down to I think about £78. The seller sent me the maps on an SD card which I received in 2 days. He then gave me a unique install code which was matched to my vin. The update itself was fine, but it took one hour 45 minutes. I was just driving round town for all that time, if I had known it was going to take so long I would have gone on a nice planned drive. Firmware updates have never occurred to me. I’d be grateful if you could let me know what improvements these provide.

 

[Mujja]

Just arrived back home. Nice, friendly business and the update was done in just over an hour.

I was booked in for the firmware and Mercedes map update at 150 each. While handing over the keys I asked if my car could be checked for Android auto compatibility as I didn't have the phone icon on USB input 2. The car was compatible and part of the installation was changing the usb hub with the updated ports.

The android auto install was £400 including the firmware update. I had planned on getting AA at some point so decided to skip the Mercedes map update and get AA.

@micky. I'll run through the interface later and more what changes there are.
I'm a long time Google maps user and one thing I prefer over the Mercedes navigation is the advance notice of the next upcoming roundabout, turn or motorway exit. Mercedes navigation only lets you know your motorway exit is upcoming when you're a mile away. No good if you're on a busy 4 or 5 lane section in the outside lane. I like to slow down a mile or two before the exit and start planning which way to go once I'm off the motorway.

All the reviews I've seen of the new Android auto have been on touch enabled displays, took a few minutes to figure out how to use the wheel to get around and it works well.

I lost the favourite menu and the sound shortcut. Will have a play when next in the car to see how to get to the equaliser to check if logic 7 is still enabled. The audio either sounds better or I'm just getting used to the bass.