maverik259

So is there an actual 100% correct answer to whether or not you can reprogram another key fob to work? i see them for sale all the time on ebay and i only have 1 but dont want to drop 300 for a new one if i dont have to knowing how much of a pain it would be if i lost mine (as i thought i did tonight at outback)...

acr2001

Sorry, but the answer is absolutely not, atleast not at an MB dealer.

Having said that -AFAIK, the only way to reprogram one to work with a different car would be to use some kind of shady aftermarket programmer, if such a thing even exists. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. I would hope such a thing does NOT exist.

e1000

No you can absolutely not reprogram a smart key. The only way to get it to work is to transplant the chip from one key to another.

maverik259

why wont a dealer reprogram it? like when i bought my car it onyl had one key...so the guy gave me a key from an '04 model he had and said "here get it reprogrammed then you'd have 2" so he must be an idiot!

maverik259

how much the new chrome smart key going these days?

amdeutsch

1) If you bought it with only 1 key and they gave you a non-functioning 2nd key have them replace it with a good one.

2) Prices vary as listed in this forum. Please search. Or call your stealer.

TemjinX2

i called a couple of places in southern california. They told me around $200-230.

rinosaur

$228 with tax in Houston

TemjinX2

yeah way too much for a stupid key. i remember i read some of hte older posts when they use to be $65

Rick

$245 plus tax at 3 diff. stealers in NJ (price fixing?) -
They could only guarantee the 3 button (panic, door lock, unlock - no trunk) because thats what my car came with. However, I bought smart key skins from sedans, gutted them and used the cicuit boards of my original keys so I now have a trunk open button.

maverik259

fabulous, o how i love just dropping benjamins at the stealer for the dumbest things...i remember when i bought the ipod connect they wanted literally just as much for the item ast he install even though the install was about an hour and a half...so i decided to take it to best buy and the guy charged me 60 to install it coming through my change/cigarette lighter area and i actually find it more convenient from there, when im not using it the wire coils up right inside and i shut the door and when iw ant to use it the tip of the ipod (nano) just sticks out making it easy to get to and remove when i leave...lol

e1000

The $65 was a data-entry error that was identified and corrected. Many people did get lucky and ordered new keys at this price.

paypaboi

I just talked to the dealer today because I lost one of my keys and they said it was going to cost $130.00 to make that key not work anymore. Or I can get a duplicate of that key and not allow the old one to work anymore for $230.00 I don't know what to do...I'm 19 and school as about to start so that means paying for books and school I don't know how I am going to come up with this extra $130.00 just so a key doesn't work anymore so they can push a few buttons on a computer and make it not work anymore probably a 10minute job!

maverik259

...wait a minute...they actually wanted 130 to tell the car computer not to accept a certain key anymore? thats sad man, really sad...F all these money ripping munger dealerships who think they can do what they want. Last time i checked they are here to provide us with a service whatever happend to business ethics anymore?

PS im not looking for a smart a** remark to these questions, they are rhetorical thank you! lol

paypaboi

Yes it really is man...I was expecting free for a second and then I was like well maybe about $60 which was like hmm ok well nothing in life is free but damn! $130! I guess I am going to have to pay it though because I have invsested too much money in my car for anything to happend to it... It sucks its so expensive though... I wonder if they offer student discounts!?!?! HAHA yehh riiiight!

maverik259

ya discounts are legit...i use my military discount as much as possible...i went skiing last year and pretty much had half off my lift tickets and 60% off rentals the whole time...it was awesome...but ya i doubt mercedes gives a darn about anyone but themselvs...thats why they stopped giving free car washes...sh** even nissan used to do that for my dads 300zx

paypaboi

Yeh true...I am sorry but donuts and coffee is no excuse for there outrageous service charges.

acr2001

The dealers are a disgrace, they offer horrible service for insane prices. Mine manages to damage my car in some way every time I drop it off for warranty service! It's GREAT! And their idea of washing it is to rub the dirt into the paint!
I needed the fiber loop coded because I added the bluetooth phone system. This involves plugging the laptop into the plug under the steering wheel and clicking the mouse about 5 times. They don't even open the hood, or touch any tools, just a laptop for 5 minutes. That cost me $130 plus tax. Last time I give them any business. Find a local shop with a star diagnostic computer. Screw the stealer.

maverik259

ya i wish i could find one...theres a local shop around here i've neglected to try yet (silverstar something) but they claim to work on bmw, mercedes, and vw or something like that...i thought about stopping by there one day and just seeing what they're about and if they have the star diagnostic program...

of course i think i'll still take my car for warranty repair to the stealer (after all i just bought the extended warranty for almost 4G's however for small stuff, like computer stuff or options i'll def try them out to see they're prices!

SickSpeedMonte

Yep, they told me that they want an hour's labor. It's BS...
Might as well get a few things that require the STAR and do them all at once, hoping for a discount since the minimum is an hour.

paypaboi

Any MB techs that we know on the board want to make some cash on the side and do this for me under the table PM me! haha I won't tell anybody haha

On a more realistic note. There is a place called star tech around here that works on on Euro cars. Are you saying all they need is the STAR machine and they can do this? Because if so my friend is friend with one of the guys who works there.

yikes

if your car is still under warranty...bring in the car for some bs problem and while your at it get them to program your phone. if you bring your car in for the phone programming only...they are obligated to charge you something. i got mine done for free this way!

acr2001

You're lucky. My car was in for 4 separate warranty issues (2 of which required them to connect the star diagnostic computer anyway!!) at the time that I asked for the phone programming. We have bought 2 cars from them ourselves, a 3 year extended warranty, AND we tip the service advisor, and we got them another sale to a friend. They don't give a damn. On top of all that, since I was being screwed and charged an hour labor, I asked them to enable the lock / unlock beeps. I provided a printout with step by step instructions on how to do it (it's 3 or 4 clicks of the mouse). I was told they could not do it and have no idea how. They are a complete waste.

splinter

How ridiculous is that bogus fee for decommissioning a key?
One blow from my framing hammer and it’ll never work again.

Seriously, no legitimate dealer should request your old “lost” key to sell you a new one.
When you’ve located it once again, it’ll be your spare, no?

Damn pleased I pick up a new one for >$100. Unfortunately, such is not the case these days.

TemjinX2

since your in socal, just call around to different places. Unfortunately, each mercedes dealership has different prices on parts and services. I remember house of imports wanted $260 for a new key...then i asked Fletcher Jones and they said $200...then i asked signal hill long beach and they said $230.