1. What models does this FAQ apply to?

This FAQ applies to the DVD based COMAND systems (known as NTG1 and NTG2). There
is some information in this FAQ about NTG3/NTG3.5 (S/CL) and NTG4-W204 (W204 C/
GLK) and NTG4-W212, (W212,W207 E). There is a separate FAQ for the NTG2.5 Hard D
isk based system Here.
2. What is NTG1, NTG2, NTG2.5, NTG3, NTG3.5, NTG4 etc
NTG1 was the first DVD based system fitted to the W211 E class, the CLS class, t
he old W220 and W215 S and CL classes, the SL and the SLK. The navigation proces
sor was seperate and in the boot (trunk) of the car. The AGW (amplifier, tuner a
nd diagnostic interface) is also part of this setup and it is a seperate hidden
unit in the boot or under the passenger feet in the SLK. This sytem first appear
ed in 2002 although it was mid 2003 (MY2004) before it appeared in the S/CL and
mid 2004 (MY2005) in the SL.
NTG2 was then introduced for the A/B/C/CLK/ML/R/GL vehicles, the navigation DVD
was then in the head unit (with the AGW also). This first appeared with the Mode
l Year 2005 facelift C/CLK (ie from Q2 2004).
NTG3 was then introduced in the new W221 S and W216 CL vehicles, with an interna
l hard disk for the map but no Bluetooth phone support in the head unit. A seper
ate rotary controller is used to control the NTG3 unit
NTG4 was then introduced for the W204 C class, which is a cost reduced NTG3 with
bluetooth in-built and is also the W212/W207 new E class and E class coupe but
requires different map disks. The W212/W207 version does not have the folding di
splay screen that exists in the W204. Early pictures of the SLS (W197) indicate
that has the same system as the W212/W207. i.e also NTG4.
And NTG2.5 was introduced for Model Year 2009 vehicles (except those with NTG3/4
), which has a built in hard disk, bluetooth, and no seperate controller. NTG2.5
was introduced for the Vito, Viano and Sprinter for Model Year 2010.
NTG3.5 was introduced for the S and CL for MY2010 which now includes bluetooth i
n the head unit.
3. How do I retrofit COMAND APS to my car?
Look at my document Retrofitting COMAND APS. This covers A and B class in detail
, but the principle is the same for C, CLK ,ML, GL. There are other documents on
Mercupgrades.com that cover how to install the head unit for different vehicles
. The E / CLS / SL / SLK system is more difficult as it has units in the boot (t
runk) as well as the centre console, and I hope to add some information on that
shortly.
4. What cars are factory fitted with COMAND-APS ?
The new A class (W169), B Class (W245), C Class (W203) from roughly April 2004,
CLK (W209) from roughly June 2004, E Class (W211), CLS (W219), GL (X164), new M
Class (W164), R Class, SL Class from roughly June 2005, S class (W220) from MY20
04, CL class from MY2004 and the Smart ForFour. The latest S (W221) and CL (W216
) class have newer systems which are not really covered by this document. Note t
hat the A/B/C/CLK/ML/R/GL in the USA before MY2009 is not fitted with COMAND-APS
it is fitted with MCS-II which is completely different to COMAND-APS. MY2009 on
ward get NTG2.5.
5. Where can I buy the map disks ?
You can buy new genuine European map disks from Comand Online Web Shop
Theres a good supply of older European map disks on EBAY. But make sure you are
not getting a copy or a "backup disk". Click Here for a suitable ebay search.
But beware, there are plenty of fake copies - make sure you really do buy the la
test version, and the correct version for your vehicle - there are now lots of t
ypes of map disk and the numbers clash, and the latest releases do not have the
same number - for instance Version 6.0 for E/CL/S/SL/SLK/CLS is different to Ver
sion 6.0 for the A/B/C/CLK/ML/GL/R - but actually V12.0 is current for W211-E (e
tc) and Version 12.0 is current for A/B/W203-C/(etc) and they are different disk

s.
6. My Mercedes was not supplied with the COMAND-APS system. Can this be retrofit
ted ?
Retro-fitting European and US A/B/C/CLK/M/GL/R and Smart ForFour with COMAND-APS
is relatively easy because all componenents are contained in the single head un
it. Other vehicles are more complicated as extra wiring is needed as the AGW (Au
dio Gateway) and the DVD navigation processor are often seperate.
7. Who can retrofit COMAND-APS to my car
Most Mercedes dealers will not - or it will cost an arm an a leg. If you are in
the UK, then the best people to supply and fit (or arrange fitting) is Comand.co
.uk. In Australia, see Benzmodz. And, Steve at MBenzNL visits the US and probabl
y most of the world regularly on "retrofit missions" fitting COMAND and lots of
other stuff to Mercedes vehicles.
8. Where can I get a manual for COMAND APS ?
You can get European manuals for the A/B/W203-C/W209-CLK/ML/GL/R and E/CLS class
COMAND APS manuals from Comand Online Webshop. They are very hard to get hold o
f as Mercedes seem to only stock in small batches and run out quickly the the sh
op runs out of stock quite often.
Most of the USA COMAND manuals are Here.
9. What part number for COMAND-APS do I need ?
There is a document on My site with part numbers for COMAND and COMAND-APS.
10. What are the connectors on the back of COMAND-APS ?
The E/CLS units have between 1 and 4 connectors depending on whether the unit ha
s video capability. The A/B/C/CLK/etc units have more connectors because they co
ntain the AGW (and thus the tuner) and the Navigation processor.