Mercedes Me / MB Connect

[micky.]

My VIN decoder says my car is equipped with MBConnect (05U & 06U). I've downloaded an app onto my iPad called Mercedes Me, which I think supersedes MBConnect. The app has accepted my VIN, and it recognises my car model, but to complete the pairing process I need to call the Customer Assistance Centre from inside the car, using an overhead button. Problem is, my car doesn't have this button. There is an SOS button hidden behind a little red cover (I've no idea what this is for), but no 'Info Call' button.

I suspect this is just a gimmick and that I'm not missing out on much. I also think it's possible my car doesn't support this feature or the IOS app, despite what the VIN decoder says. Does anyone know what I should do next? Do I need to call into my local dealer? And can anyone who uses this app share their thoughts on it?

 

[Srdl]

You are probably right that it’s a gimmick, the older the car, the less you can get on the Mercedes Me app. My VIN decoder says “11U - MBCONNECT REMOTE ONLINE” and I think you need the Comand Online NTG version to get the full online connectivity. I may be wrong though!

I found the “Star Expert” at my local dealership quite helpful on technology matters and I had to visit them with I/D and my V5 Registration Document to prove I owned the vehicle to complete my set up * so it might be worth a visit to clarify what you can and can’t do with yours. (* even though I have the Info Call button on my car)

Edit... just another thought. Many of the online services are chargeable after the first three years so you may have to subscribe first before they are useable on your app. Log on to your Mercedes Me portal via the website to see what you have and what you can add to your car.

 

[micky.]

You are probably right that it’s a gimmick, the older the car, the less you can get on the Mercedes Me app. My VIN decoder says “11U - MBCONNECT REMOTE ONLINE” and I think you need the Comand Online NTG version to get the full online connectivity. I may be wrong though!

I found the “Star Expert” at my local dealership quite helpful on technology matters and I had to visit them with I/D and my V5 Registration Document to prove I owned the vehicle to complete my set up * so it might be worth a visit to clarify what you can and can’t do with yours. (* even though I have the Info Call button on my car)

Edit... just another thought. Many of the online services are chargeable after the first three years so you may have to subscribe first before they are useable on your app. Log on to your Mercedes Me portal via the website to see what you have and what you can add to your car.

Cheers Steve. I've tried logging onto the portal, but same as with the app, I can only get so far before drawing a blank. It does keep encouraging me to call in to my local dealership, and I also found an MB site where you give them your car details, and they contact you at some point in the future to advise either that your car has full connectivity; or that you can book it in to have some sort of gizmo fitted for free to give you enhanced connectivity. It's blimmin confusing I must be honest. I've got NTG5 / 5.5 so I think in theory mine should be able to do lots of things that I don't know about. I'm going to call in to my dealer at some point to see if they can assist (they don't pick up their phone, so I'll have to doorstep them!)

 

[micky.]

https://www.mercedes-benz.co.uk/pas...MIp6XSmKan6gIV2-vtCh3ikwT8EAAYASABEgIVSvD_BwE

 

[Srdl]

Yes, that link is for the Mercedes me adaptor which is for older cars without the online connectivity - it doesn't do much! If you've got NTG5 (5*1 I believe on yours) then you should have the full online connectivity because I have 5*2 on mine. It may be your car is already registered under the old owner and that does cause problems but the dealer should be able to sort it out. Take the documents I mentioned and ask if they have a Star Expert.

It is worth doing if you can get full access. For example, you can remotely lock and unlock from your phone and others on here have found that useful when they've managed to lock their keys in the car. Have just checked the Mercedes Me T&Cs and quite a lot of the remote services work for all models with Mercedes me connect from 09/2014.

 

[micky.]

So I rang my nearest MB dealership to arrange to have this app fully paired. They said they can't provide this service for the foreseeable, as the person who usually does it is on furlough. And no one else can do it, apparently. So I rang the next nearest dealership, who said they can't do it today, because it's the last day of the month and they are busy. I asked for an appointment for later in the week, and she said she couldn't get her calendar to open, so I would have to call back.

I find this so often with the big dealers - after sales is very often abysmal, and their default reply is always no, especially if you aren't intending spending a pile of money with them. It's bizarre that this system forces you to go to a dealership in the first place, rather than being able to do it yourself online. I'll keep trying...

 

[Srdl]

So I rang my nearest MB dealership to arrange to have this app fully paired. They said they can't provide this service for the foreseeable, as the person who usually does it is on furlough. And no one else can do it, apparently. So I rang the next nearest dealership, who said they can't do it today, because it's the last day of the month and they are busy. I asked for an appointment for later in the week, and she said she couldn't get her calendar to open, so I would have to call back.

I find this so often with the big dealers - after sales is very often abysmal, and their default reply is always no, especially if you aren't intending spending a pile of money with them. It's bizarre that this system forces you to go to a dealership in the first place, rather than being able to do it yourself online. I'll keep trying...

There was a number you could call to do it via video link - and show them your documents online. If I get time later, I'll try and find it.

 

[micky.]

There was a number you could call to do it via video link - and show them your documents online. If I get time later, I'll try and find it.

Oh right, thanks, that would be great. I did ask the first dealer if there was any way of doing this online or over the phone, and he said absolutely not, the only option was to come in.

I had the same thing with my Jag a couple of years ago, when I wanted to add a non-franchised service to my online service history. Their online documentation said all I had to do was take my receipt to my nearest dealership. When I did this, the service manager genuinely got angry with me, and kept saying why would they add anything to their service history database that hadn't been carried out by them. He practically threw me out of the place! Eventually I want online and found a lady who was very helpful, and updated my service history with no fuss at all once I had sent her a scan of my paperwork.

 

[Srdl]

I found this on the Mercedes Me FAQ:
My vehicle does not have an Info-Call button in the overhead control panel. What can I do?
Please call the Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Centre via the "MB Contact" phone book entry in your multimedia system. Inform the staff member that you wish to enable your vehicle for Mercedes me connect. If you cannot find an "MB Contact" phone book entry, please contact your Mercedes-Benz service partner.

Please use the SOS button for emergency calls only - not for activation purposes.

Alternatively, have you tried phoning Mercedes Me Customer Services on 00800 9 777 7777

 

[micky.]

Thanks for that Steve - it worked!
'MB Contact' was the first number in my contacts list. I clicked it, it spent a few minutes silently sending data to MB, then I was connected straight to a human who paired my app to my car in just a couple of mins. She told me to go for a 15 minute drive, which I think paired the tyre pressure details, but now it looks like everything is working. It is just a toy, but I do have a tendency to forget to lock my car (this cost me a hellishly expensive photography kit a few years ago), so being able to lock the car from the office, or from bed, is a nice touch.
I think this means I don't need to make an irritating trip to my dealership after all, so thanks again for your help.

 

[Srdl]

Thanks for that Steve - it worked!
'MB Contact' was the first number in my contacts list. I clicked it, it spent a few minutes silently sending data to MB, then I was connected straight to a human who paired my app to my car in just a couple of mins. She told me to go for a 15 minute drive, which I think paired the tyre pressure details, but now it looks like everything is working. It is just a toy, but I do have a tendency to forget to lock my car (this cost me a hellishly expensive photography kit a few years ago), so being able to lock the car from the office, or from bed, is a nice touch.
I think this means I don't need to make an irritating trip to my dealership after all, so thanks again for your help.

Great news - hope it all works fine from now. My experience is that the Mercedes Me app can be a bit unreliable at times but it’s certainly better than nothing.

 

[S500 Pete]

Thanks for that Steve - it worked!
'MB Contact' was the first number in my contacts list. I clicked it, it spent a few minutes silently sending data to MB, then I was connected straight to a human who paired my app to my car in just a couple of mins. She told me to go for a 15 minute drive, which I think paired the tyre pressure details, but now it looks like everything is working. It is just a toy, but I do have a tendency to forget to lock my car (this cost me a hellishly expensive photography kit a few years ago), so being able to lock the car from the office, or from bed, is a nice touch.
I think this means I don't need to make an irritating trip to my dealership after all, so thanks again for your help.

Remember the locking from your phone only works within Bluetooth range.

 

[John Laidlaw]

Remember the locking from your phone only works within Bluetooth range.

Seriously? That seems pointless- my Ovlov and BM both do it via a remote server. Wonder if the newer models are the same?

 

[micky.]

Remember the locking from your phone only works within Bluetooth range.

Thanks, I did not know that, but I just tried it, and you're right. This is definitely just a gimmick, other than in an emergency I can't imagine why I would ever want to use it if you have to be stood within key fob range anyway.

 

[Srdl]

Remember the locking from your phone only works within Bluetooth range.

I don't think that’s right.

 

[micky.]

I don't think that’s right.
View attachment 59848

Ok tested it again, well away from the car, and this time it DID unlock it.
So it seems you don’t have to be in BT range. But the app doesn’t always work.

 

[Srdl]

But the app doesn’t always work.

I told you it was inconsistent!

 

[micky.]

I told you it was inconsistent!

Hehe, you did. Actually I still don’t think it’s set up properly. When I log into the website, it shows my car, in roughly my colour, with my rims etc. But when I log into the app on my iPad, it just shows a random Merc under a fancy dust sheet. It’s like I need to go another step to get it finalised, but I’m not sure faffing about with it any more is going to deliver any great benefits.

 

[Srdl]

I get the dust sheet car from time to time. I think it’s just when one of the servers is slow or down so give it a chance for a week or so and see how it settles.

 

[GJP]

If you have BT Wi-fi (not Bluetooth) it works over a much greater range than Bluetooth manages.