Convert US ML500 to Canadian Compliance - Benzworld.org

mercman66 · 08-03-2006, 09:42 PM

Based on the large price differential in the US vs. Canada right now, I bought an ML500 in the USA and have now exported it to Canada. For an ML500 with NAV, Appearance package, Lighting, H/K stereo, Air suspension, I saved C$17,000.

Does anyone know if there is a software load to switch the US standards (miles in odometer, NAV system etc. to kilometers) and Fahrenheit to Celsius for temperature readouts.

I drove a loaner E350 from the Canadian dealer today and it had Canadian software and it allowed to change all functions from Canadian to US standard measurements via the multi-function buttons on the steering wheel, and many of the MFD screens look identical...so I am assuming software will do it.

I have a quote coming from my Canadian dealer to swap out the US specific parts, but I am afraid that they will want to swap the entire guage cluster for lots of $$$.

Any help on a new software load availability would be greatly appreciated, or any other work arounds that would stop me from swapping the guage cluster entirely.

If I have to swap the guage cluster, it has the aluminum trim that comes with the Appearance package, so I will be selling it in the next couple of weeks if anybody is interested.

Thanks in advance!

Dave

Eubios · 08-03-2006, 11:20 PM

You may want to try posting on the Canadian Forum as well:
http://www.mbcanada.com/forum/index.php?showforum=8

Good Luck !

sosh · 08-04-2006, 08:27 AM

Believe you will have to swap out the cluster for all kilometer readings. As far as temp goes this may be able to be switched by a dealer. Of course you will have to have the daylight running lights switched on. Some of your savings was due to exchange rate. Keep in mind that the Canadian dealers can't or are reluctant to do warranty work on a US vehicle and the warranties are different. MB Canada is a seperate company than MBUSA.

mercman66 · 08-04-2006, 10:32 AM

Thanks Sosh. The savings were definitely exchange rate driven since the C$ has been strong against the US$ this year. I did my homework on the warranty and it is a North American warranty, and covered by MB Canada. In fact before I imported I did my homework and MBC has indicated it is fine to import the vehicle, and then it is subject to the compliance certification as a new vehicle would be in Canada. The big question is can you "unlock" the software in the comand / multi-function display to show what is surely already programmed for other countries. It does not make logical sense that MBUSA would run a totally seperate software load from the rest of the world does it?

Thanks for your comments!

BFGMercMan · 08-07-2006, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mercman66

Based on the large price differential in the US vs. Canada right now, I bought an ML500 in the USA and have now exported it to Canada. For an ML500 with NAV, Appearance package, Lighting, H/K stereo, Air suspension, I saved C$17,000.

Does anyone know if there is a software load to switch the US standards (miles in odometer, NAV system etc. to kilometers) and Fahrenheit to Celsius for temperature readouts.

I drove a loaner E350 from the Canadian dealer today and it had Canadian software and it allowed to change all functions from Canadian to US standard measurements via the multi-function buttons on the steering wheel, and many of the MFD screens look identical...so I am assuming software will do it.

I have a quote coming from my Canadian dealer to swap out the US specific parts, but I am afraid that they will want to swap the entire guage cluster for lots of $$$.

Any help on a new software load availability would be greatly appreciated, or any other work arounds that would stop me from swapping the guage cluster entirely.

If I have to swap the guage cluster, it has the aluminum trim that comes with the Appearance package, so I will be selling it in the next couple of weeks if anybody is interested.

Thanks in advance!

Dave

Your dealer will be able to change all the settings using the STAR system,including running lights etc. I live in Gemany, and my UK ML has been converted to KM's on the display by the delaer. As the dial on the speedo is in miles, it stops when I get to 160 kph, but the ticker in km's in the MFD keeps going up. The cruise control sets in km and the trip computer gives the reading in l/100km. Do not take no for an answer and let us know how you get on.

Eubios · 08-07-2006, 05:26 AM

Hi BFG,

He posted on the Canadian Forum as I suggested and if you go there you will see he is about to spend a lot of money... I guess it has to do with the fact that in your case UK and Germany are in the EEC, whilst in his case US and Canada are not so strictly intertwined from a regulations point of view. The dealers know that and take advantage of the situation.

mercman66 · 08-07-2006, 11:43 AM

It appears the the speedometer requirements mean I have to swap out the instrument cluster. So far I have not been able to determine if the US software is actually a different version with no metric readings inside...or if a setting in the software opens up the metric side.

In the end however, even with a bit of compliance money spent, MBC will be full backing the car and it will be inspected and approved as a Canadian vehicle when all is said and done...and I am still saving a healthy amount and getting the ML I wanted.

Dave