Expensive Key Replacement
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Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 49
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From: Auckland, New Zealand, DOWN UNDER
2014 C200 w204
Expensive Key Replacement
My car (C200 w203) just only has one key. I went to Merc dealer and asked about it. Hell, it cost about NZD 500 and has to be made in Germany. Anybody knows the short cut, coz I've got only one now, I dunno what happen if I get locked in.
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'06 CLK500
Don't forget to ask for the new key style as posted in the tread below 
.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w203/116081-new-key-style-my-c-class.html
.https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w203/116081-new-key-style-my-c-class.html
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
Bad offer.....doesn't work that way. You need to get the key from MB already programed. It will cost them more in shipping and policy changes (if they'll even do it).
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
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From: Seattle WA
99 E320
i agree. no previously owned Ebay key can be reprogramed at the dealer.
they come new/preprogramed based on your VIN. once programmed, they
cannot simply be flashed using the same electronics package, it seems.
from what I can tell, this is hard/firmware encoded.
http://w210.pietrzyk.net/electrical_rclatapse.htm
http://w210.pietrzyk.net/82bodyelect...ASvehikeys.htm
they come new/preprogramed based on your VIN. once programmed, they
cannot simply be flashed using the same electronics package, it seems.
from what I can tell, this is hard/firmware encoded.
http://w210.pietrzyk.net/electrical_rclatapse.htm
http://w210.pietrzyk.net/82bodyelect...ASvehikeys.htm
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ok well if they can't do it then call mercedes benz of tampa and rat them out.. i think its pretty rediculous and not cost effective to have to make new keys each time someone wants a spare... I bet they have non-volatile memory chips that can be flashed, they do have a IR port ya know
Ir port? Yes two way communication via infra red light pulses.. How does it know which random number has been generated each time you start the car? Communication.. If there is communication it can be reprogrammed, its very simple computer science.
But it does also make sense for mercedes to not allow the keys to be reprogrammed as they could make more sales with your proclaimed setup. I would think you could make more money from flashing software than selling hardware... ZERO Cost in flashing software!
Ir port? Yes two way communication via infra red light pulses.. How does it know which random number has been generated each time you start the car? Communication.. If there is communication it can be reprogrammed, its very simple computer science.
But it does also make sense for mercedes to not allow the keys to be reprogrammed as they could make more sales with your proclaimed setup. I would think you could make more money from flashing software than selling hardware... ZERO Cost in flashing software!
Last edited by sirenebekim; Jan 31, 2007 at 12:16 PM.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Seattle WA
99 E320
yeah...technically speaking, i gets yer drift. point well taken. if it can be
programmed in the first place, it is possible to be reprogrammed again,
provided the hardware allows. i think you're saying that the "it cant"
obstacle may simply be a policy issue as well, yes? it may also be
hardware prohibited but i dont have the smarts to disassemble and
to determine this angle.
programmed in the first place, it is possible to be reprogrammed again,
provided the hardware allows. i think you're saying that the "it cant"
obstacle may simply be a policy issue as well, yes? it may also be
hardware prohibited but i dont have the smarts to disassemble and
to determine this angle.
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From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
Didn't say can't....you said can't. I said they don't have and were not given the capacity, the means, the equipment to do it. It's all about security. It may be cheaper for them to ship new keys than recycling provided keys back and forth (and keeping track of them). Keys are only as safe as the ability to reproduce or bypass them so I'm less worried about someone stealing the digital secret from a central source than an open market. Good, safe, strategy.
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From: Long Island
MB
ok well if they can't do it then call mercedes benz of tampa and rat them out.. i think its pretty rediculous and not cost effective to have to make new keys each time someone wants a spare... I bet they have non-volatile memory chips that can be flashed, they do have a IR port ya know
Ir port? Yes two way communication via infra red light pulses.. How does it know which random number has been generated each time you start the car? Communication.. If there is communication it can be reprogrammed, its very simple computer science.
But it does also make sense for mercedes to not allow the keys to be reprogrammed as they could make more sales with your proclaimed setup. I would think you could make more money from flashing software than selling hardware... ZERO Cost in flashing software!
Ir port? Yes two way communication via infra red light pulses.. How does it know which random number has been generated each time you start the car? Communication.. If there is communication it can be reprogrammed, its very simple computer science.
But it does also make sense for mercedes to not allow the keys to be reprogrammed as they could make more sales with your proclaimed setup. I would think you could make more money from flashing software than selling hardware... ZERO Cost in flashing software!
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Joined: May 2006
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From: Southern Cal
a C32 AMG & S-Works Tarmac
I just bought the new '07 style key and it is now working just fine as my 3rd key. I read somewhere that the W203 can handle up to 3 keys with memory settings and 5 total. I might be off in my numbers, but I am definately using all 3 keys now.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Long Island
MB
That's what I was told by the dealer, so i was sure my 05 c230 has memory ***** only for 2 keys. Think I will need to go to another dealer for this
Super Member
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From: Long Island
MB
found this on AMG forum: new style key for $61
https://mbworld.org/forums/clk55-amg-clk63-amg-w208-w209/179801-got-my-new-chrome-key-today.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/clk55-amg-clk63-amg-w208-w209/179801-got-my-new-chrome-key-today.html
Super Moderator Alumni
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,539
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From: Southern Cal
a C32 AMG & S-Works Tarmac
My dealer wanted $220 for the new key and said it problably wouldn't work. oempartsdirect charged me $51.70 (I got free shipping because they were so slow) and it worked the moment I tried it out. Bam! 3 keys working perfectly.
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