Hi all

I bought an S500 year 1998 that is imported from Japan, and it is equiped with an OEM command as you may see in the linked picture. Please provide me with any info.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/suclan/post-22-1101822322.jpg

Thanks

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98 S500
93 500SEL
94 S320

i thought command started on s-class with the 220's!i wpould think that that must be a retrofit from a dealer with mercedes parts or an aftermarket piece. i must admit , though, it's a good job whatever it is.

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'95 s500 (bought for wife but can't bear to share!!!) 125kms
'92 legend 180kms
'88 tbirdturbo(fantastic car-only regular maint.)120kms
'87 mustang gt(gone)
'86 tbirdturbo(gone)
'85 mustang gt(gone-but not forgotten)

Definitely an aftermarket unit.

The W140 could be factory fitted with a GPS unit for the German and some other markets. This unit was very similar in design and the same size as the M-B Exquisit radio/cassette/CD (which was the one fitted on the U.S. market sans the RDS feature). Only difference was that it had a bigger liquid cristal display. The aircon console and upper buttoms would remain in the same place.

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A. Rosich
CL 500, 1998
S 500 L, 1998
E 320 T, 1995 [Sadly sold ]

I was told by Steve at mbenznl.com that Nav was never available in the W140's.

I guess he was wrong.

BTW, Steve did a perfect job in retrofitting a factory Command unit to my 2000 E430.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

A Nav system was never factory installed or available for U.S. spec W140s.

As said before, a Nav system was available in Germany and other markets. What I am not sure about is exactly when it debuted, but I would guess it had to be mid-1996 to late 1996, as many 1997 and 1998 model year cars list this option on the used sale sites in Europe.

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A. Rosich
CL 500, 1998
S 500 L, 1998
E 320 T, 1995 [Sadly sold ]

Thanks all for your participations.

It is guaranteed factory fitted system, maybe it was only offered in JAPAN.

AAA15188

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98 S500
93 500SEL
94 S320

Or at least the shift knob says V12.


I have a German 1996 S600 coupe and mine has the MB exquisit radio with TP (traffic program) and siemens nav (for German highways only). The nav has no screen , just works with the head unit.

My car does have one goofy option though, a factory champagne chiller in the rear seats!

The picture that the gentleman offers also shows a burled steering wheel, which I thought was also exclusive to the 600.

HerbPhillips

You are right, the picture is for an S600 V12 year 1998 owned by an Ausralian, and it is imported from Japan.

AAA15188

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98 S500
93 500SEL
94 S320

I have search all option brochures and lists on the W140 and the ONLY Sat Nav system they list is the one I mentioned above.

As mentioned before, maybe this Nav system was available exclusively for the Japanese market, although I sincerely doubt M-B would spend the effort and money to vary the console so much for just a few vehicles at factory level.

My best guess would be that this system was locally fitted by the local importer in Japan (anyway, they have the technology and know-how to do so).

My first Mercedes-Benz was a 300TD (S123) also imported from Japan. At that time the exclusive dealer for Japan was Yanase. Yanase had (as it happens at most M-B markets) a peculiar list of options and special equipment for the cars it sold.

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A. Rosich
CL 500, 1998
S 500 L, 1998
E 320 T, 1995 [Sadly sold ]

A. Rosich

I agree with you that maybe this Nav system was available exclusively for the Japanese market, but I still think it is a Factory fixed system.

Searching other forums, I found two guys having the same, one still in Japan and the other one is in Australia with a car imported from Japan ( same as my case.)

Still looking guys for any info.

AAA15188

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98 S500
93 500SEL
94 S320