E220 W213 - software updates ...

[zeeshh]

Yesterday my 17 plate E220 went for 5th service and MOT to dealership and I asked the same question to the service team like every year that all software updates done? And the same answer that no software update. I am confused that is it really Mercedes never send out any software update in last 5 years, since March 2017 ?

They said the updates are now OTA via Mercedes me Connect, well i only got 2-3 updates in 2017 and one last year but for communication module only. What about ECU software updates, dashboard updates, i hear Android Auto is also available via software update but there's not change to my dash board since i bought the car.

how can I check what are the softwares installed on my car and what are their current levels? calling MB help desk? Can I insist on dealership for giving me print out of what are the software versions?

I've E220 d SE, with garmin pilot, not the command.

Thanks

 

[barian]

The OTA updates are generally only for Comand navigation data (if subscribed), although there has been an update for the communication module as you have found. I believe the service schedule only requires software to be updated for driving assistance systems. Otherwise, I think the dealer will only update the software if there is a specific manufacturer campaign or a customer complaint about the behaviour of the car that might be resolved.

 

[rf065]

Yesterday my 17 plate E220 went for 5th service and MOT to dealership and I asked the same question to the service team like every year that all software updates done? And the same answer that no software update. I am confused that is it really Mercedes never send out any software update in last 5 years, since March 2017 ?

They said the updates are now OTA via Mercedes me Connect, well i only got 2-3 updates in 2017 and one last year but for communication module only. What about ECU software updates, dashboard updates, i hear Android Auto is also available via software update but there's not change to my dash board since i bought the car.

how can I check what are the softwares installed on my car and what are their current levels? calling MB help desk? Can I insist on dealership for giving me print out of what are the software versions?

I've E220 d SE, with garmin pilot, not the command.

Thanks

My 2017 SLC300 is almost the same. No software updates ever, other than a recall for the communication module.
I was told Android Auto was possible with a software update but it's actually not possible at all. Even if it was, it's not free, a dealer would charge you for doing an update like that.
Not sure why you need to know what software versions you are running unless you have a problem with something?

 

[star]

Almost all control modules will or might have a software update available. You may not notice any difference after a software update, there is also a risk that things could be worse or not to your liking. It also takes a lot of time to go thru every module on a modern car to see if there’s an undate available. The is no magic button to update everything automatically and some updates on command etc take hours.

 

[zeeshh]

Thanks All for your inputs and yes I understand dealership doesn't update software(s) if not a problem. But i m keep on buying extended warranty after 3 yrs and not worrying about if anything goes wrong after the update as it'll be covered under warranty.
E220 in March '17 was quite early after the model changed and I m sure there must be loads of bug fixing to improve/correct the performance etc

This time I asked dealership to check why the engine sounds louder at idle position as compared to another E220 which was bought by my friend just after a week. Sometimes I can feel the gear shifts, which should smooth etc. The start/stop stopped working few months ago due to converter failure, they changed the converter but said it won't work because you need to change the battery as well for £350. Whereas no issue in starting the car in winter or no issue with lights , no battery or electric system warnings on dash etc.
But dealership answer was that all is updated and unless you change the battery the start/stop won't work
Anyway seems like it's the norm and none of us is getting the software update, Thanks

 

[star]

I suspect the battery is the cause of your stop start not working, it monitors the condition of the battery even tho it starts your car, it may not be upto spec.

 

[rf065]

Good luck with an extended warranty, after my nox sensors had an issue I applied online for an extended warranty and mercedes turned me down.

 

[Botus]

the biggest change I see with software updates is enhanced dealer diagnostic capability - obviously where dealerships have a fight working out the fault the techie nerds at the factory add some extra capability to keep the garages fixing stuff more efficiently

like any software they'll be loads of small glitches that might never show up to the end user, and sometimes bigger bugs and better ways to do things alongside security glitches they should resolve, internally they'll have loads of minor stuff that could go on - they'll be some unseen benefits but you might not notice if there or not as you drive

NO dealer will apply them at a service they'd rather charge you when its repair time.
As for NONE at all - then I'd suggest the dealer is a crook - I bet there are loads on engine management side it ought to have...

comand updates will be bigger and you should want them - is it really online - I doubt it - but they'll pretend they are
they are not map updates - those are another update

 

[star]

Some engine updates need a disclaimer signing as it can also update the scr, gearbox, powertrain. This sometimes can throw up nox sensor faults, as earlier nox sensors aren’t compatible with the latest software.

 

[zeeshh]

Thanks Botus and Star, and that's my point is that there must be loads of improvements in this model as late 2016 / early 2017 were the early models of W213 E class and if there's any update it should be compatible with what MB built at first place. I didn't do any modification and car never touched by any other workshop than one (the Basingstoke dealership) and initial 3 yr were in warranty and after that they sold me extended warranty

i'll speak to them again i think as I'm not convinced, like in previous models there used to be engine/gearbox related updates, there should be few for this model as well.

 

[EmilysDad]

If the car is running OK just leave it alone .....
If it ain't broke .... don't fix it.

 

[star]

As my post above, some updates are for newer hardware and might not be compatible with what’s fitted to your car, so could trip the eml. I would say there’s 20-30 control modules on your car so to go to each one and check and maybe instal a software update takes a lot of time.

 

[alexanderfoti]

If the car is running OK just leave it alone .....
If it ain't broke .... don't fix it.

100%. We only install updates to fix a specific fault, rather than to just "update everything"

 

[Botus]

a tractor of this vintage will have engine updates - STAR does make a reasonable point you might have some issues by part updating - but of course you already have shed loads of issues in there

the cars came from the factory with both illegal emissions and a faulty DPF system, which as I understand it became a right muddle where many iterations of DPF sensor later it still didn't really function, and then they found either, a deliberate software glitch and or with the confused interventions, we end up needing Mk3 versions of the NOx sensors, before we can land a car that both meets its homologated emission stds, allows the DFP to regen, and the car to not throw a number of other interesting emission related fiddles

finding UK TIPS docs is hard work but check out USA TIPS and it quite likely you discover so many software updates they get, that you'd only end up driving it to the dealership for yet another update


how's this for the first one I found

LI82.30-P-064282 JUN16 – 213 windshield wiper stops without obvious cause < 6mph, update software and perform SCN coding.
or
LI82.85-P-064727 AUG16 – 213 NTG5.5 vehicle positioning inaccurate (may drift away from road although vehicle is still on the road) and/or route guidance not possible. Faulty GPS antenna as indicated by fault codes + update COMAND control unit software if needed.

Bulletins 213 - MBWorld.org Forums

E-Class (W213) - Bulletins 213 - LI91.16-P-063434 FEB16 ? 213 VIN A000865 to A002740 rear head restraints move up sluggishly, clean bars and apply lubricant 00098935660. LI82.35-P-063732 APR16 ? 213, 253 windshield washer spray nozzle on engine hood loose, apply adhesive pad onto long catch tab...

mbworld.org

 

[mioba]

The problem here OP is who are you talking to at the dealers.

They have these muppets (service managers) running around who are only secretaries and a go between to the people who actually do the work and get their hands dirty and the customer - an interface.

I would say most updates are automatically downloaded and installed on your car when the tech plugs it in.

This information will never get relayed to you service advisor, whose job is merely to say Hello Mr Zeezsh, we have you in today for a A service, if anything comes up we will give you a call, if you would like to have a coffee please help yourself. The car will be ready after 4pm.

From my experience updates may be available in the first few years - to iron out any glitches and nothing you would ever realise - anything major is a recall.

If there are no updates and your car is fine, no need to worry at all.

 

[Botus]

I would say most updates are automatically downloaded and installed on your car when the tech plugs it in.

there is NEVER any updating just because it was connected to the dealer tool / germany

they plug in to take service history data and to ensure the deliberate failure modes are landing to the correct timescale, and if not further refine the "engineering" for later cars

on a Mercedes each module is a one by one update and until other modules are updated many others remain unknown by all... highly likely there are updates - very unlikely there were ever applied - this can't be bothered status, was industry standard by all manufacturers - but its changing as they release cars to the public part finished these days (just like windows), if enough moan they might get round to making it worse in a later update that might be applied to about 17% of cars built

the last update applied to my car updated the coding for the Rear SAM to something it had needed when built - incredibly removing a diagnostic fault that was there for 17 years - it had already had online update to the same module in 2017 - somehow they "just remembered" a step to set up the rear blind hall sensor - I have the print out proving this was the only SCN coding step and now the fault has gone.... but the blind had "always functioned normally" to the vehicle user, before the first update, afterwards and again after the last SCN session