'extra' key button thread... chapter 3
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Brisbane/Sydney, Australia
Originally posted by taylor192
Most do have a feature to at least unlock and unlatch the hatch/door so that opening it while still having your hands full is somewhat easier. I know I can usually spare a finger to flip the hatch/door up if I had to, but the whole hand to reach under and pul the handle... not always feasible.
Most do have a feature to at least unlock and unlatch the hatch/door so that opening it while still having your hands full is somewhat easier. I know I can usually spare a finger to flip the hatch/door up if I had to, but the whole hand to reach under and pul the handle... not always feasible.
Honestly I don't understand the fuss about having the feature, although I will admit I haven't really had much to carry in the trunk to warrant consideration of the practicality of having it.
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Posts: n/a
Originally posted by JeT
Obviously, the feature will be more use to some than others and I can understand the logic of wanting the feature if it is already there...but the incremental effort required to pull the lever is negligible considering that you have to pull the relatively heavy hatch up by the lever (or near it at least) anyway. Also, how many of you would remember to have the key in your hand before actually picking up a two-armed load?
Honestly I don't understand the fuss about having the feature, although I will admit I haven't really had much to carry in the trunk to warrant consideration of the practicality of having it.
Obviously, the feature will be more use to some than others and I can understand the logic of wanting the feature if it is already there...but the incremental effort required to pull the lever is negligible considering that you have to pull the relatively heavy hatch up by the lever (or near it at least) anyway. Also, how many of you would remember to have the key in your hand before actually picking up a two-armed load?
Honestly I don't understand the fuss about having the feature, although I will admit I haven't really had much to carry in the trunk to warrant consideration of the practicality of having it.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 328
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From: Virginia
2005 CL65 AMG
I have two 3 button smart keys that I'll sell for $25 each. I was going to get the blades cut to fit my 1994 but I've decide against it. This is what they look like:
Let me know if you want one
Regards,
Don
Let me know if you want one
Regards,
Don
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,916
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From: The blue white rock, third out.
2002 C230 Coupe(M111)
Originally posted by black 1994 c280
One down and one to go! Thanks jlm
Regards,
Don
One down and one to go! Thanks jlm
Regards,
Don
Let me know.
Thanks!
-Mark
Almost a Member!
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 30
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From: UK
S55 AMG
Originally posted by avlis
Un-freakin-believable.
I tried this at work and my PCB seems to be really stuck in the housing. I'm afraid I'll break it here at work and end up stranded so, I'll wait until I get home.
I think thinning out the plastic material is a good idea. I don't think we'll have to remove much to make a button.
Un-freakin-believable.
I tried this at work and my PCB seems to be really stuck in the housing. I'm afraid I'll break it here at work and end up stranded so, I'll wait until I get home.
I think thinning out the plastic material is a good idea. I don't think we'll have to remove much to make a button.
As far as I'm concerned, the feature is uselss and rightly so left out by MB.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,265
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From: Nashua, NH
2008 VW GTI
Originally posted by AMG4Me
You are not seriously thinking about ruining your key just to have this feature. Thats ludicrous. At least buy another key from ebay then the dealer cannot use the void warranty excuse.
As far as I'm concerned, the feature is uselss and rightly so left out by MB.
You are not seriously thinking about ruining your key just to have this feature. Thats ludicrous. At least buy another key from ebay then the dealer cannot use the void warranty excuse.
As far as I'm concerned, the feature is uselss and rightly so left out by MB.
As it turns out, I don't have a Dremel bit small enough to get inside the case and the novelty of the feature is wearing off. Next time I'm at the stealer I'll inquire about getting new cases though.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 280
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From: Illinois
'04 Mars Red C230K 6 sp.
Three button housing for sale
It's a little worn... kinda smooth. The "N" on the PANIC button is starting to wear off. But it's got the trunk release!
Anyone want it for $10?
bradshaw(at)mtco.com
Anyone want it for $10?
bradshaw(at)mtco.com
Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 144
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From: Dallas
C230 K
has anyone thought of...
getting a custom outer cover done? i think it would be sweet to get a carbon or alu one and put the internals in it. you could have the almighty 3rd button added too. any ideas where it could get made? i wonder if a metal one would interfere with the ignition? any ideas?
Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 148
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From: San Francisco Bay Area
MB C230K
Cool, now all we need is a part number from Maybach and we can swap the innards for an upgrade.
Or does Maybach not have part numbers - if you need anything you call your engineer in Deutschland and have it hand crafted to your specifications?
--S
Or does Maybach not have part numbers - if you need anything you call your engineer in Deutschland and have it hand crafted to your specifications?
--S
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 792
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From: Las Vegas
2003 C230 K , 2001 ML320
Has anyone got this extra key button to open the trunk of a 2003 Coupe? I tried it on my 2003 and absolutely nothing. Took apart the key, the button is there all right. Tried a sedan case with my internals, nothing. Did they turn off this feature like the dyno feature on the 2003's?
Now what I really want is to crack open the sunroof on 100 degree days and leave the shade closed instead of wide open. Seems to let more sun and heat in when both are open than what hot air it lets out.
Now what I really want is to crack open the sunroof on 100 degree days and leave the shade closed instead of wide open. Seems to let more sun and heat in when both are open than what hot air it lets out.
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Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Ohio
2010 C300 4matic
Originally posted by breastroker
Now what I really want is to crack open the sunroof on 100 degree days and leave the shade closed instead of wide open. Seems to let more sun and heat in when both are open than what hot air it lets out.
Now what I really want is to crack open the sunroof on 100 degree days and leave the shade closed instead of wide open. Seems to let more sun and heat in when both are open than what hot air it lets out.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: York, PA
2003 C230K Sport Coupe, 1986 190E 2.3
I have a 2003 Coupe built in late December of 2002 and my hatch will pop open with the key. You have to hold it for about 3-4 seconds for it to work and my finger starts to hurt since my plastic is not worn in enough yet. So I have only used it once or twice. I am still wondering why they have the feature there but do not give you the proper case for your keys. They put the button there, the wiring in the car and the latch that will release, but can't put the correct case on the darn key. It makes no sense and since I have a survey sitting at home I suppose I will let MBUSA know what I think of this dumbass move of theres.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 875
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles
2002 c230k
Re: has anyone thought of...
Originally posted by yodlebenz
getting a custom outer cover done? i think it would be sweet to get a carbon or alu one and put the internals in it. you could have the almighty 3rd button added too. any ideas where it could get made? i wonder if a metal one would interfere with the ignition? any ideas?
getting a custom outer cover done? i think it would be sweet to get a carbon or alu one and put the internals in it. you could have the almighty 3rd button added too. any ideas where it could get made? i wonder if a metal one would interfere with the ignition? any ideas?
Super Moderator Alumni
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Basel, Switzerland
Audi A5 Sportback + Cannondale Prophet
Following is the response,quoted from this same thread. I won't flame you for not reading through 90+ responses.
Originally posted by Nola
I can't comment on why MB chose not to give us this feature, but I have an educated idea as to why they chose to "hide" it with just changing the faceplate the way they did.
First the key: The unit cost of the plastic casing can only be marginally different whether it has 2 or 3 buttons, so that's not the reason. The "fixed" cost of the tooling for both plastic casings is needed anyway, considering that they already chose not to have the feature. The "fixed" cost of design, engineering, tooling, etc. for another PCB is considerably higher than anything else, even if one of the PCB's is the same but with less parts. You save more by having a single expense in this area than with the potential savings in unit cost (parts, labor, etc.)
So the overall cost of having two keys with the same "insides" would less than that of having two entirely different keys. This is a form of postponement.
A similar thing happens with the opening mechanism: lower overall cost to have one single electro-mechanical part for all cars, than design and tool an electronic one for most cars and a totally different, mechanical one for the coupe (and apparently the wagon).
Bottom line, for some mysterious reason the folks in marketing chose not to give us this feature, and the folks in engineering "hid" it in the most economical way they could think of. Pretty clever if you ask me.
I can't comment on why MB chose not to give us this feature, but I have an educated idea as to why they chose to "hide" it with just changing the faceplate the way they did.
First the key: The unit cost of the plastic casing can only be marginally different whether it has 2 or 3 buttons, so that's not the reason. The "fixed" cost of the tooling for both plastic casings is needed anyway, considering that they already chose not to have the feature. The "fixed" cost of design, engineering, tooling, etc. for another PCB is considerably higher than anything else, even if one of the PCB's is the same but with less parts. You save more by having a single expense in this area than with the potential savings in unit cost (parts, labor, etc.)
So the overall cost of having two keys with the same "insides" would less than that of having two entirely different keys. This is a form of postponement.
A similar thing happens with the opening mechanism: lower overall cost to have one single electro-mechanical part for all cars, than design and tool an electronic one for most cars and a totally different, mechanical one for the coupe (and apparently the wagon).
Bottom line, for some mysterious reason the folks in marketing chose not to give us this feature, and the folks in engineering "hid" it in the most economical way they could think of. Pretty clever if you ask me.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,753
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From: York, PA
2003 C230K Sport Coupe, 1986 190E 2.3
Originally posted by Nola
Following is the response,quoted from this same thread. I won't flame you for not reading through 90+ responses.
Following is the response,quoted from this same thread. I won't flame you for not reading through 90+ responses.
Banned
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 53
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Originally posted by mctwin2kman
I have a 2003 Coupe built in late December of 2002 and my hatch will pop open with the key. You have to hold it for about 3-4 seconds for it to work and my finger starts to hurt since my plastic is not worn in enough yet. So I have only used it once or twice. I am still wondering why they have the feature there but do not give you the proper case for your keys. They put the button there, the wiring in the car and the latch that will release, but can't put the correct case on the darn key. It makes no sense and since I have a survey sitting at home I suppose I will let MBUSA know what I think of this dumbass move of theres.
I have a 2003 Coupe built in late December of 2002 and my hatch will pop open with the key. You have to hold it for about 3-4 seconds for it to work and my finger starts to hurt since my plastic is not worn in enough yet. So I have only used it once or twice. I am still wondering why they have the feature there but do not give you the proper case for your keys. They put the button there, the wiring in the car and the latch that will release, but can't put the correct case on the darn key. It makes no sense and since I have a survey sitting at home I suppose I will let MBUSA know what I think of this dumbass move of theres.
From what I understand American Mercedes cars wont go faster than 180Km/h. they dealer can fix this from the computer, but they wont cuz its illegal. Not because the car can’t got over that speed. I always drive my coupe at around 180Km/h. heh, hell… even last week I raced a girl till we reached 190Km/h! (that’s when I said she’s crazy and slowed down a little :P)
And the pano roof… they said they didn’t want to enable it cuz there is no auto stop feature for it. so if some putting his hand or, say, head (lol) out side he head get injured (or maybe dye lol).
That’s why many dealers, as I heard, in the US wont enable it.
Now… about the hatch… I’ve never had or been a hatchback car before until I got this car. and when I opened the hatch for the first time… I had this look on my face
It almost hit the ceiling of the garage! So, imagine ur car is parked inside ur garage at home or some friends house… u press that button and it opens, goes up… and hit the ceiling!
LOL… well, I think that might be the reason :p
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: SF Bay Area
2002 C230 K
Originally posted by hydra
Now… about the hatch… I’ve never had or been a hatchback car before until I got this car. and when I opened the hatch for the first time… I had this look on my face
It almost hit the ceiling of the garage! So, imagine ur car is parked inside ur garage at home or some friends house… u press that button and it opens, goes up… and hit the ceiling!
Now… about the hatch… I’ve never had or been a hatchback car before until I got this car. and when I opened the hatch for the first time… I had this look on my face
It almost hit the ceiling of the garage! So, imagine ur car is parked inside ur garage at home or some friends house… u press that button and it opens, goes up… and hit the ceiling!
- BT
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Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Peoria IL
2003 MB C230 coupe
i've never understood the want to have that extra button for the coupe. it takes about as much effort to lift the hatch as it does to pull the little handle and lift the hatch.
