Lost my e320 keyless remote
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Joined: Sep 2004
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Lost my e320 keyless remote
What should I do now I only left keyless remote. I bring it to the dealership
they told me they are going to charge me $$ 400 and I got to wait 3 weeks also.
Anyone know where can I get it for cheaper price.
they told me they are going to charge me $$ 400 and I got to wait 3 weeks also.
Anyone know where can I get it for cheaper price.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 630
Likes: 14
Nope. You absolutely cannot get a key for your mercedes anywhere but the dealer. I have told several clients they were out of luck with thier Ebay keys they paid a lot of money for. They insisted they could be reprogrammed because the guy that sold it to me said it could. Go check Ebay, as he is rather insistant that they will work on other cars. Fact: They will not. The keys cannot be programmed. It is made to fit a specific car, and will not function on any others. I forgot how much keys are but $400 sounds high, as does the 3 week wait. We can generally get them in 2 days. I don't remember pricing.
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From: SoCal OC
S, GL, Escalade ESV, my shoes
All smart key came as blank key. The first car you insert it into would program the key for that car.
My dealer always have some in stock. $350/piece. Need to prove ownership to buy it.
My dealer always have some in stock. $350/piece. Need to prove ownership to buy it.
Originally Posted by alan88888
What should I do now I only left keyless remote. I bring it to the dealership
they told me they are going to charge me $$ 400 and I got to wait 3 weeks also.
Anyone know where can I get it for cheaper price.
they told me they are going to charge me $$ 400 and I got to wait 3 weeks also.
Anyone know where can I get it for cheaper price.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 630
Likes: 14
The statement regarding the keys coming as blanks is FALSE. They come programmed to the VIN of the car. Prove me wrong, buy a smart key and stick it in any old mercedes. It cannot and does not work that way. ALL smart keys come preprogrammed for a specific vehicle, and absolutely cannot be used on any other car. I have been dealing with this issue for years, and I know how it works.
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,464
Likes: 9
From: SoCal OC
S, GL, Escalade ESV, my shoes
Read it again, it is smart key only, your ML does not have smart key. Your service advisor probably fool you. Stop by a big enough dealer (like Fletcher Jones in Newport Beach, CA), along w/ your car paper work, and they will just happily to hand you a smart key for around $300.
Smartkey is for late model only (E class post 98, C class post 2000, S class post 2000, CLK class post 2000, SL class post 2003). All SLK and ML use keyless entry, but it's pretty much a dumb one.
That's what happened w/ mine: walked into dealer w/ paper & $$, walked out w/ key. Same thing happened to my friend key.
No BS programming whatsoever. How do you explain that ?
If you want to bet, just hand me $300, I can buy the key w/ your witness. If it doesn't work, I'll refund you $400, if it work, I keep the key, deal ???
Smartkey is for late model only (E class post 98, C class post 2000, S class post 2000, CLK class post 2000, SL class post 2003). All SLK and ML use keyless entry, but it's pretty much a dumb one.
That's what happened w/ mine: walked into dealer w/ paper & $$, walked out w/ key. Same thing happened to my friend key.
No BS programming whatsoever. How do you explain that ?
If you want to bet, just hand me $300, I can buy the key w/ your witness. If it doesn't work, I'll refund you $400, if it work, I keep the key, deal ???
Originally Posted by saturnstyl
The statement regarding the keys coming as blanks is FALSE. They come programmed to the VIN of the car. Prove me wrong, buy a smart key and stick it in any old mercedes. It cannot and does not work that way. ALL smart keys come preprogrammed for a specific vehicle, and absolutely cannot be used on any other car. I have been dealing with this issue for years, and I know how it works.
Last edited by zam2000; Sep 21, 2004 at 09:41 PM.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 4,781
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From: Boston
'05 A4 1.8TQM6
the ML & SLK keys are not just simply keyless entry key-fobs. inside, there is a computer chip that talks with the ignition/computer inside the car to ensure that it is the right key accessing the car. if the codes match up, it'll allow you to start the car. also it has a rolling code for the alarm system/keyless entry.
as far as smartkeys go, i've been told that it can range anywhere from $200-$300 and has to be ordered from MB headquarters in Germany with your VIN. There can only be a maximum 8 keys ordered/replaced for your car, after that, you need a entirely new ignition & computer & keys (part of MB's security/safety feature).
Also I have read various posts on "programming" the smart key. Some have said that the key ordered is programmed specific to your car's ignition's computer from your VIN information, which is kept in the HQ of MB.
Others have said that the key was ordered and once arrived, the key was stuck in the ignition and the programming took place from there, ranging anywhere from 5 minutes to a few hours.
as far as smartkeys go, i've been told that it can range anywhere from $200-$300 and has to be ordered from MB headquarters in Germany with your VIN. There can only be a maximum 8 keys ordered/replaced for your car, after that, you need a entirely new ignition & computer & keys (part of MB's security/safety feature).
Also I have read various posts on "programming" the smart key. Some have said that the key ordered is programmed specific to your car's ignition's computer from your VIN information, which is kept in the HQ of MB.
Others have said that the key was ordered and once arrived, the key was stuck in the ignition and the programming took place from there, ranging anywhere from 5 minutes to a few hours.
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Super Member
Joined: Jul 2004
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Originally Posted by zam2000
Read it again, it is smart key only, your ML does not have smart key. Your service advisor probably fool you. Stop by a big enough dealer (like Fletcher Jones in Newport Beach, CA), along w/ your car paper work, and they will just happily to hand you a smart key for around $300.
Smartkey is for late model only (E class post 98, C class post 2000, S class post 2000, CLK class post 2000, SL class post 2003). All SLK and ML use keyless entry, but it's pretty much a dumb one.
That's what happened w/ mine: walked into dealer w/ paper & $$, walked out w/ key. Same thing happened to my friend key.
No BS programming whatsoever. How do you explain that ?
If you want to bet, just hand me $300, I can buy the key w/ your witness. If it doesn't work, I'll refund you $400, if it work, I keep the key, deal ???
Smartkey is for late model only (E class post 98, C class post 2000, S class post 2000, CLK class post 2000, SL class post 2003). All SLK and ML use keyless entry, but it's pretty much a dumb one.
That's what happened w/ mine: walked into dealer w/ paper & $$, walked out w/ key. Same thing happened to my friend key.
No BS programming whatsoever. How do you explain that ?
If you want to bet, just hand me $300, I can buy the key w/ your witness. If it doesn't work, I'll refund you $400, if it work, I keep the key, deal ???
I am a mercedes benz technician. Yes I drive an ML, and I know the differences among the keys. I have also replaced hundreds of smart keys, EIS modules, AAM modules, and all kinds of other parts involving keys. I know how the system works. You have been misguided, and are giving out incorrect information. The smart keys require a learning process if they are "replacement keys". They will automatically work if they are "additional keys". They MUST ALL BE MADE SPECFICALLY FOR THE VIN NUMBER. It is not uncommon for the dealer to have a bunch of keys laying around in a box, that were double ordered or what have you. If you just walked up and wanted a key, and they already had one made sitting in the back, why wouldn't they sell it to you? They can't send them back to mercedes!
Also your theory has a major hole in it... If the system worked as you BELIEVE it does, then whats to stop me from getting a key and using it on the first mercedes I come across, and stealing it?
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2004
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Let me be a little more specific on key programming on the smart keys:
You have a total of 8 keys that can be used at one time per car.
There are 3 replacement slots available for each key, total 24 keys.
You start with tracks 1 and 2. You lose key 1, and you have 2 options: The first way is to order "replacement key 1". When it arrives, you would have to perform the teach in process, during which all the unused rolling codes from the previous key are cycled through and canceled.
Second option is the easiest, an "additional key" is ordered. It could be any key numbered 3 through 8 and it will work immediately without the need for programming.
Key dependent features only work for 2 slots (3 if you think about it).
Key 1 has a set of memory features specific to that key (radio stations, seat memory, climate control settings, etc...)
Key 2 has its own set also.
Keys 3 through 8 all share the same set.
It is possible through version coding to change which key numbers get the key dependent features! You can change from tracks 1 and 2 to any combination of 2 tracks.
Keyless go cards: each count as one key track. You are limited to two cards per vehicle.
Hope this helps clear up some controversy.
You have a total of 8 keys that can be used at one time per car.
There are 3 replacement slots available for each key, total 24 keys.
You start with tracks 1 and 2. You lose key 1, and you have 2 options: The first way is to order "replacement key 1". When it arrives, you would have to perform the teach in process, during which all the unused rolling codes from the previous key are cycled through and canceled.
Second option is the easiest, an "additional key" is ordered. It could be any key numbered 3 through 8 and it will work immediately without the need for programming.
Key dependent features only work for 2 slots (3 if you think about it).
Key 1 has a set of memory features specific to that key (radio stations, seat memory, climate control settings, etc...)
Key 2 has its own set also.
Keys 3 through 8 all share the same set.
It is possible through version coding to change which key numbers get the key dependent features! You can change from tracks 1 and 2 to any combination of 2 tracks.
Keyless go cards: each count as one key track. You are limited to two cards per vehicle.
Hope this helps clear up some controversy.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,939
Likes: 178
From: Seattle WA
99 E320
Originally Posted by zam2000
All smart key came as blank key. The first car you insert it into would program the key for that car.
My dealer always have some in stock. $350/piece. Need to prove ownership to buy it.
My dealer always have some in stock. $350/piece. Need to prove ownership to buy it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 4,781
Likes: 3
From: Boston
'05 A4 1.8TQM6
Originally Posted by raymond g-
If so, why is the Web rampant with tales of woe from folks who buy keys off Ebay and find them not working for their cars....or unprogrammable for their cars? Something about all this Smartkey stuff isn't clicking for me.
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 579
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From: ...
...
Originally Posted by alan88888
What should I do now I only left keyless remote. I bring it to the dealership
they told me they are going to charge me $$ 400 and I got to wait 3 weeks also.
Anyone know where can I get it for cheaper price.
they told me they are going to charge me $$ 400 and I got to wait 3 weeks also.
Anyone know where can I get it for cheaper price.
