BigBadDad

My brother lost his key, he also has a 2001 C240. He is calling his dealer on Monday to get a replacement. Has anyone here had to replace a key? What did it cost? I think he is going to be surprised, and not in a good way

BTW - I got my C240 FIRST, he copied me.

Thanks - John

cityscape

Cost me around $125 at Autobahn Motors in SF - I thought they would program it for me but told me to just stick it into the slot - took over 30 minutes for it to synch.

BigBadDad

Thanks, I'll let him know what to expect on the price.

So, it sounds like a "blank" key will work with any car. You just have to put it in the ignition for 30 minutes to let it get acclimated with the car? I thought they had to order a custom key for each car, am I wrong?

Thanks again - John

MB-BOB

Let's make a distinction here. The plastic part of the Smartkey appears to be a standard item that then needs to be programmed. Some have posted (search the technical forum) that previous versions of the key took from 30-minutes to several hours to program in the ignition. Be sure to ask for a "221" series key or newer.

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...light=Smartkey

The metal back-up key that is a part of the Plastic Smart Key is another matter. I believe that key has to be custom cut based on your VIN number.

In order to have a keyhole for use with a key chain, you'll need both items. cityscape, did the $125 cover both?

hokusbenz

doesnt this make it easier for thieves? if they got their hands on a bunch of blank keys? i think there is more to it no?

preyx

Well, first they have to break into your car without activating the Tele-Aid anti-theft system. Next, they have to sit inside your car for at least half an hour while the key synchronizes with the system, by which time the cops should have arrived. I believe that although the half-hour delay isn't necessarily designed to prevent theft, it seems to by default.

young

i assume autobahn motors is an mb dealership?

at first, i thought cityscape meant that they just gave him a "blank" key. i may be wrong, but i think they gave him a key that would work on his car only.

here's a thread discussing the maximum # of keys available per car: https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...&threadid=6253 this implies that keys are coded by car.

There are 8 different SmartKeys available for your car, along with three duplicates of each key, for a grand total of 24 different possible keys. Once all 24 keys have been used, you will need a new Electronic Ignition Switch. I have yet to see a customer go through all 24 keys. When your car is new, it is supplied with Keys number One, Two, and Three. One and Two are the main keys, Three is the emergency "valet" key.
--- by mbtech. note that 2002 models only get 2 keys.

BigBadDad

All interesting replies so far, I'll let you know why my brother finds out this week. Regardless, it sounds like it would be gambling to try living with just one key. If that one went missing, you'd be screwed. I wonder if you lost ALL your keys (assume no tele-aid and their remote unlocking service), how would you go about getting in and activating the new keys. Maybe then you have a $35k paperweight.

Lynn

A dealership should be able to cut a metal key if they are given the VIN.

awiner

Actually all keys are imported from Germany. They can only be made by a specific machine that Mercedes has. The cut key is then sent from the factory to your particular dealer.

cityscape

MB-BOB - you are correct. The metal cutout is custom ordered to your car and the plastic is a "blank" - not sure if there all interchangeable but there is no custom programming on the dealers part required. The Metal cutout and the plastic piece arrive in 2 separate bags so they are not manufacturing pairs - just joined up at some later stage prior or at the dealers. The $125 cost was for both. A tip is to not "program" your blank at the dealer as it can take a while - i learned this the hard way when as the dealer was closing and put the blank in and it kept saying it was programming. I aborted the process with no ill effect and drove off with my other key and did it in my garage. It took somewhere from 30-45 minutes but it could take up to several hours.

hokusbenz

i still dont like the fact that a blank key can possibly be obtained and used to take someones car, esp if it is parked in a remote area, long term parking lot, etc. if the thief got past a non- tele aid alarm system (which im sure some thieves can) and just stuck the key in, they could return in a half hour and drive away!
im just saying its a possiblility

trench

My understanding is that there are only eight key iterations (with two additional duplicates) possible for any particular car's Ignition Control Module and they are specific to the car's VIN (or new control module, if so fitted). Therefore, a random "blank" key not specific for the particular car/module in question shouldn't work if inserted into the ignition in an attempt to program it.

BT

mleskovar

I agree with Trench. I've had two keys replaced and did not "synch" anything after receiving them. Just inserted key and drove with no problems. Also, I believe there are three duplicate keys available for each of the 8 smart keys alloted to each ignition control module. I guess that's all the memory allocated for the keys.

MB-BOB

Keep in mind that once the "blank" key is programmed, it's good for nothing else. The thief would have to make an initial $125 investment for the blank, with no real assurance he can enter the car and wait the requisite time for the programming. If the car is locked, he would also need the metal engraved valet key to enter the car without setting off the alarm.

I can't imagine a car thief spending that much money on an iffy proposition. So much easier to take some other make of car.

session

surely there's more ways to steal this car than inserting/programming a blank key. a flat bed truck comes to mind.

BigBadDad

And for me, I am not worried about someone stealing my car. Not that it couldn't happen, but if it does.... insurance. The worst part about the MB key system is the cost of the friggen key.

trench

I agree. Most cars are stolen for parts not for the car itself. That's why Accords and Camrys get stolen the most - they're the most common cars (needing parts) plus the rather standard parts in them will fit a variety of models across the manufacturer's line-up. Another interesting thing I read recently showed the highest percentage of thefts vs. registrations were for Acura Integras (ricers steal them to put the more powerful 'teg motor into their Civics) and Hyundai Tiburons (which I don't get at all).

I think if a Mercedes is stolen it will be taken for entire car. I think this will cause theives to focus a little higher up the food-chain than our entry-level C-classes (C32 excepted). I could forsee theives stealing a Merc with a bigger motor for transplant into another one - especially since I think most of the motors share common (or easily changed) mounting points. Hmmm...wonder what the 5.0L from a CLK500 would be like in a C-Coupe (although the weight distribution wouldn't probably be that good)?

Cheers, BT

BeaverMjr

I have a 2002 C coupe. I have 2 keys without the trunk button. I recently learned that the trunk button on the sedan key works on the coupe. Rather than pay the full replacement fee, I went to ebay and bought someone's key that they no longer need.

I know I will have to visit the dealer to get a replacement metal key. Can I get this smart key programmed to work with my car or did I buy a key that is already programmed for another car and now will not work with mine?

I read that if I put a blank key in my ignition and wait 30 mins or so, it will be accepted by my car. Does this programming work if the key was already programmed on another car? I'm gonna try it and see what happens. I hope I don't have to pay the local mercedes stealership to program this key. I really hope I haven't wasted $25.

Please let me know what to expect.

mleskovar

Expect to have wasted $25. The keys are made car specific. Sorry.

StapleGun

DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY ON EBAY KEYS UNLESS YOU WANT TO SIMPLY CHANGE OUT HOUSING!!!!

I have dealt with this issue already - you need to provide dealer registration, copy of your license. I purchased mine through www.sunmotorcars.com and ask for parts (specifically Chris) - tell him you saw them on these boards! I got it for $125 including the blade insert. I don't get a % of anything, but I told him that his prompt service would get recommended and they have been great! Visit the website for toll free number.

slammer111

^ No you are not screwed, as long as you bought a W203 sedan key.

Remove the battery pieces. Pull out the circuitry with a pair of pliers and swap casings. I could never figure it out but supposedly it's doable, just study how the circuitry is held in place. Chuck the old key case and enjoy the new trunk button

Staplegun, isn't that what he wanted, just to swap casings? I don't think he's looking for a key for another driver in the family.

If that's what you're doing, why would you need a new metal key?

BeaverMjr

That's great. why didn't I think of swapping housings? I actually wanted to program the new key, bit your suggestion is a great one. thanks. I'll try it.

I'll let you know if it works.

StapleGun

My bad then, if you wanna swap housings. I thought you needed an additional key. I purchased one on ebay and used the housing no prob....2 minute project actually. Still needed an additional key so I needed to buy a new one entirely.

BeaverMjr

I swapped the housing and everything seemed in order. All 4 buttons work. I have a snag. the key isn't recognised by the ignition. I put it in and it just laughs at me. no turn. no nothing.

what can I do except stop by the dealer?