Thread: US ML550 2008 goes to Europe......

Hello, I'm so glad I found you and I am so frustrated with MB electronics. I bought the ML550 2008 in NY and after a year, I shipped it over to Greece where I now live most of the year.

When it got here, we were told that we couldn't simply purchase the European DVD for the command system but we would need a new one because the model number has a 1 digit difference in europe and their dvd's won't work in the US system....since this would cost over 3,000 euro to buy the new system, do you know if there is any way around this or if i can find a used european command system somewhere??

We also don't know what to do with the bluetooth because the US bluetooth model number is B6 787 5878 and the European number is B6 787 5877 (again a one digit difference). Also, the phone lists for each device are different but it's hard to find the US phones here in Greece. Do you think the european phones would work with the US bluetooth??

We also tried programming the built in garage door opener with the code number from inside our remote control and that didn't work either. I never needed this in NY so I'm not sure if it's not working because I'm here in Europe. Do you know if remote control frequencies are different in Europe??

My last electronics problem (this one i also had in ny) is the ipod connection cable. When I connect it, the only way to toggle through the menu is through the steering wheel. The different menus don't show up on the command screen (artist, playlist, etc) so the only option on the command screen is to go through all songs one at a time and when there are thousands of songs, it gets frustrating. Do you know if they will offer an upgrade for this problem??

I found that the dealers both in NY and Greece were not very knowledgeable or helpful on elctronic issues so thank you for this website.

Regards,
Vanessa

The MCS navigation, MHI phone controller and SAP bluetooth all have to be changed. You will need to consider the options carefully but I would go with 2009 NTG 2.5.

The American system is really American. You cant mix it with European. None of those 3 will work in Europe.

The iPOD kit in this newer model does appear in the COMAND. If you install a NTG 2.5 and the newest ipod kit then it will show in the COMAND.

Yes the mirror is also different.

thanks for all the info....I did find one mobile phone that was on the accepted list for both europe and usa. It was the blackberry BOLD. If I got one do you think it would work here? Also, do you know where i can find the NTG 2.5 at a good price somewhere in Europe?

Thanks for all your help,
Vanessa

A couple of other things to remember, reversing camera connects differently for US MY08 COMAND, EU MY08 COMAND, and NTG2.5. NTG2.5 is the MY2009 system

Also, MY08 rear-entertainment system is different to MY09, and if your car has Harmon Karden then its even more different.

Just to expand on what Benzmodz says about the mirror, the EU garage door frequencies are different to USA. There seem to be now mirrors with the EU garage door opener for W164 - there were not last year, but they cost around £700 or more :-(

RIchard

Thank you for this info.....i think i'll just buy a mobile phone from the european list here...it will definitely work but the contacts list might not show up on the command screen...no biggie....I have the rear entertainment double screen system which my kids continue to use with US DVD's so thats ok.....700 ponds sounds like a lot of money just to forego the remote control.....i'll change the gps if i can find the 2008 european version used...

One last question....if I buy an iPhone, do i bluetooth it so i can use it as a phone or do i connect it to my ipod connector so i can use the music??? Can't i do both at the same time????

thank you to the gurus!!

iPhone: You can do both at the same time (I have assumed your car is MY08 so the UHI/MHI connector is upright in the centre armrest glovebox)

You need
a) iPhone 3g cradle with cable

Comand Online Ltd :: Phone Cradles & Adapters :: Mercedes iPhone 3G Phone cradle

b) cable to connect that to the Mercedes iPod kit (which a local car hifi shop can install as it requires a bit of disassembling to make it appear in the armrest glovebox

Comand Online Ltd :: Phone Cradles & Adapters :: Mercedes iPhone Cradle -> iPod Kit lead

c) Used ML unit, you need a "European NTG2 COMAND DVD unit for W164 ML" - email sales@comandeurope.com see if they can sort it out - they can 'code' it up for the car. Let them know if you have reversing camera as you need an extra lead to convert the wiring between US and Europe. But remind them you have RSE.


Richard

When you install a Euro comand in a USA car the phone system no longer works.