Current Software version and available updates, 2016 CLS Shooting Brake

[Chris Mead]

Hi Folks - this thread is all about me wanting to understand what the software version is of my 2016 CLS Shooting Brake, if more recent software versions are available, their benefits, and where the cheapest place to get them from.

Q1. How do I find the current version my car is using? I've looked through the online manuals but can't find anything.
Q2. What do more recent software versions bring me?
Q3. Where is the cheapest place to get them? I'm in East Kent.

Thanks, Chris.

 

[Blobcat]

Software for what? Engine or Comand system?

 

[Chris Mead]

Both.

 

[John Laidlaw]

Quite comprehensive. Probably need to run it through a diagnostic to get all the information you need @alexanderfoti may be able to help

 

[Botus]

Only BMW do software across the car in a complete and competent manner. They flash the whole car in one go replacing anything out of date and reflashing current versions for any modules that was not changed. Thus one job, one set of results. Any bugs all cars will play up the same and will soon be fixed

All other manufacturers including Mercedes, only does a random bodge up, of muddled incompatible confused junk and they never know the driver of the problems and either never resolve and or take years to find it and years more to fix

ALL cars now need regular security or bug fixes for multiple nasties present in a rushed development cycle of incompetent engineers doing it all wrong
The 2005 w221 S class was the first car where it had so much going on software updates might be needed. The full spec ones have 62 modules with every single one having multiple software iterations during its lifetime (some critical). And yet 9 years after production ended, they still haven't understood, let alone resolved some bugs.

Most Mercedes cars only had gearbox and engine ECU updates completed - even when serviced by the best UK dealerships
Owners who knew what they were doing may have paid to get the comand telematics ring updated but its rare

For example All Mercedes since 2011 with DAB need an update to make the radio work, but less than 3% were ever done. Because its such a painful long winded bodge up, dealers run from maintaining the vehicle correctly and never bother. As once they do one update, another might misbehave and or have another update to the one they just did... its a fiasco that only BMW thought to manage

You can get a report about ALL versions of software / hardware fitted and what software part numbers and their dates are on the car. But it will make no sense to anyone as they don't know what's current... the only way is to interrogate each module on line to Germany and then go round the loop each time you change anything and it might cost you 24hrs labour at £210 an hour (£5040) vs BMW's £180 to do it properly

 

[John Laidlaw]

 

[robin.large]

Chris, you can read your Comand Version go to Navi, then Map Version. You can source upgrade versions on eBay if you need.
Very easy DIY process. I've got 2019 v18 in my 2014 CLS. You could source 2020 v20.

For the majority of people unless you have a specific issue concerning the car, don't even think about upgrading the TCM/ECU software.

Plus the only way to reflash is using Star or Xentry

Robin.



Sent from my ONEPLUS A5010 using Tapatalk

 

[Chris Mead]

All makes sense to me - thanks for the advice on this guys - I appreciate it.

 

[Botus]

Saying don't update is misleading - there will be lots of howling bugs than you desperately need to be fixed with software fixes... its just very few know what you need to do. And I include Mercedes Germany in that statement, lets alone the jokers at the main dealerships. They aren't really competent to do up their shoe laces.

You can pursue the major disasters on a USA forum where one very helpful chap likes to post the regular disasters befalling each model in TIPS documents. (TIPS technical improvement programme). These are bulletins sent to dealers to say this is terrible / dangerous / risky apply to all cars ASAP (most garages never read them and never do the work.
1) its beyond their brain to understand
2) the one guy trained to use the kit walked 3 months a go

It would really help if you updated info to say you own a W212 / C218 (X218 for the estate) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_CLS-Class which is basically the old 2009 E class W212 - so all the issues on a 212 from say 2015 should be there on your car - which should keep you very busy reading this https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w212/300769-bulletins-207-coupe-212-sedan-10.html

 

[Botus]

Note: a dealer can run a FULL data card and it will show any software updates and when they were applied.

 

[Chris Mead]

Hi Botus - I have a X218, and have been slowly working through the bulletins posted. Thanks very much for the link.