I picked up a sweet 2002 ML500 (24K miles) a few days ago. I'm somewhat disappointed with the Navigation system compared with others we have such as our 2004 Mini-Cooper S. The level of detail seems quite poor. Anything other than a primary road here in New England is just blank uncharted territory. However, I note that I have discs which appear to be version 2001.1. My question is, would I be wise to purchase a current set of discs? Is that a MB only subscription? Since this appears to be a NavTech system are there other updates, or non-MB databases available? Is there a DVD based upgrade available to this system?

Thanks in advance for any wisdom.

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Bart

2002 ML500, 2009 CLK350 Cabriolet
93 300D 2.5 Turbo 265,000 Miles (Sold - bad idea)

The 02 M Class was the last year to use the CD-Rom based nav systems (that require 9 different regional discs depending on your location). In 2003 they were updated to a DVD based system, requiring only one nationwide disc. I would assume you could buy all of the necessary components to convert your system to DVD, but it is probably quite expensive. There may be newer CD versions for your current system (check the dealer first, or eBay sometimes), but they are probably just updated and I would doubt they are any more detailed. I personally don't know of any non-MB databases or upgrades.

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1994 S500 coupe
2005 ML500
2007 E350
(en route) 2005 CL500

Thanks, that is helpful. I think I'll look into the DVD upgrade (eventually).

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Bart

2002 ML500, 2009 CLK350 Cabriolet
93 300D 2.5 Turbo 265,000 Miles (Sold - bad idea)

Just a thought --- the Garmin system (aftermarket system) I have requires loading in the area you wish to drive thru in order to have the highly detailed maps. If you drive out of the area you only have a "base map" with not much detail of secondary roads or street level.

Did you purchase the ML500 from an entirely different area of the US ? Perhaps you were not given all the 9 disks needed ?

Most likely a call to any MB dealer could help.

DanielW

I had the same CD based Navigation system installed in my 2000 E430.

I had Steve Krabbenborg install mine. He has a website, www.mbenznl.com .

He has done thousands of these installs, all over North America, Europe, and even Australia.

I asked him if a retrofit to a DVD based was possible, and he said no.

I think the exact same information that is on the DVD is also on the CD's. The only difference is that all of the maps fit on one DVD, whereas it takes 8 or 9 CD's to fit the same info.

I live in Southern California, and the level of detail is great. Also know that the CD's are updated with new information, streets, yellow pages info, etc. every year. You might have an old CD.

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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".