jan ken po

Well I'll try it on mine as soon as my wife brings her a$$ home.

o98eclipse

I tried it....

I put the valet key in and turned it and it does only turn 45 degrees and does not come out. At that 45 degree turn though, the trunk opens, but if I turn it back to its original position it will come back out and the trunk open. Beats me what they decided to do with this trunk.

What do we do???

nlpamg

I dunno, I think we can try to cram all our important stuff in the glovebox before going to a valet, or just not go to the valet. Two things I'm not too enthusiastic about. I mean I really don't like having strange people park my car, but for many places in LA, it's a must. Some good places don't even offer self parking.

WTF were they thinking in germany when they did this?

If we mod the the tumbler, do we need a locksmith to redo the key, and I take it latches, etc. also must be put in place. All things that I really don't care to do.

PRHeloPilot

OK, now straight from the horse's mouth :

The Sales Manager at the Dealership IS AN IDIOT and doesn't know his job.

I just spoke with the SERVICE Manager and he told me that 2005 doesn't have valet in the trunk anymore (another idiotic thing for MB to do, like eliminating the Free Maintenance).

He told me that the only use for the valet key is that if your car battery or beeper battery goes dead, you can use this metal key to open the trunk. Of course it still locks your glove compartment but that's about it, so cram as much as you can in there because it's the only safe place.

Kar don

you guys could try replacing the trunk lock assembly...

PRHeloPilot

Now THAT would be a useful mod and it shouldn't be expensive. If anyone out there has access to prices for a trunk lock assembly from a 2004, let us know.

I guess that since it's only used for that, we wouldn't have to re-key the entire car, just K.I.S.S. and have an extra key, it's really small. You could even lock it up in your glove compartment and use it when you go to a valet parking, if you have anything in the trunk, since it will only be useful for that anyway.

You might say :

What if your battery goes dead and the key is inside the car ?

Not a problem, use your other metal key that's with your beeper already, open the door and get the metal key for your trunk.

What if someone get's my metal key ? Well if they got into your car and got the metal key, I don't think that should be your main concern, HE'S ALREADY IN YOUR CAR , CALL THE COPS !!

Can anyone see anything NEGATIVE about this mod that has skipped my mind ?

Kar don

I dont see the negative about it, i can get a price on the part for you. I am not sure if the new part comes with a key for it... that would have to be looked into. I do not believe it does. Here are pics of the 2003 switch assembly.

CitronC230K_03

i dont even valet my car because i dont trust those freaking idiots. first of all you never know how they are going to drive your car, they probably would never figure out how to put the stick in reverse (noone else seems to figure it out), and they might just take something. i feel better parkingmy own car. just my $0.02.

PRHeloPilot

Yeah, I don't use valet but it would be something nice to have. Wow, I have to change that entire thing ? I thought it was just the lock. Anyway, for someone that uses the valet service, this mod is a must.

If it doesn't bring the key, then you might be able to remove the tumbler and have it keyed to your on key, which would be even better, more factory type.

jan ken po

The '05 assemly appears to be the same. At least it sits the same in the trunk lid. Seems to me would be an easy swap with a pre-05.

Kar don

Sometimes you have no option tho, and occasionally i like to see my nice shiny ride in front of the restaurant

wfb1746

I hate it when people tell me to read the manual like i'm a little kid (yes, i read the freaking manual)

i have no idea why MB would change the part in 2005, rather idiotic if u ask me

Saprissa

Isn't that the TRUTH !!!

We should have a contest to see who can stuff the most stuff into the glove box !!

Really though, swapping out the key-lock mechanism should be doable, and then just having a locksmith set it to your key should do the trick.
If any of you go ahead and do it, let us know how it turns out.


_________________
Carlos
Saprissa@aol.com

CitronC230K_03

that's true! i tke it back because i did valet my coupe once. i watched the guy trying to get it out of the spot and couldn't. he put it in neutral to try and put it in reverse, the car rolled back, couldnt get it in reverse. stepped on the brake, there was a car parked behind mine. i watched this for about a minute, then walked over to get the car myself before he hit something with my car. he had the nerve to hold his hand out for a tip. anyhow, i havent valeted my car since then.

C230 Sport Coup

So lemme get this straight..
the lock cylinder is ther but has no function?
You gotta be kidding?
Oh, woh is MBZ!
Lamatudeness......
I tried mine after reading initially that people were having problems. It work fine in the drivers door, rear hatch, and glove.
But the alarm didn't go off....
shouldn't the alarm go off if opened with key?

CitronC230K_03

that's true, you'd think since there is a lock cylinder you'd actually be able to lock the trunk!

Saprissa

you have a COUPE right ??

what key hole do you have on the rear hatch ?? as far as I know, the COUPE doesn't have a key hole on the hatch.

revstriker

I guess (from reading the posts here) that the only function of the lock cylinder on the trunk is so that you can unlock it without using the key fob, or if your battery dies. There still is a use, it just doesn't lock it. Of course it still locks with the key fob, or when you manually lock all of your doors.

I do valet my car every once in awhile since I eat out at nice restaurants for work (business meetings ). But I have never locked my trunk with the key. In fact, I've never even taken the metal key with me. I always worried about them loosing my fob because they have nothing to attach their ticket to.

Kar don

I agree Scott, Whenever I valet my cars they always get the full blown key. Same with the BMW, it sucks to carry around 2 keys... and with the bimmer I dont want them using the key to unlock the car because they might miss the slot when they are trying to insert it.

CitronC230K_03

good point!

mctwin2kman

Well you could always unplug the connector that pops the trunk lock and use the key to open the trunk on those occassions that you valet and have something of value in the trunk! Pain in the *** but it would work. But the best bet is to switch the tumbler over to a pre 2005 handle and lock assembly. This must be one of the features cut from the 2005 to save cost, like cutting out the dual power seat option. I mean it was an option how does it save costs by cutting it out? The only reason I could see is because there is less wiring in the car now. But MB is going down hill as they keep cutting things out as others are adding them. I saw a BMW commercial the other day listing all the covered service's and also saw a big list in the latest Car and Driver. Kinda like rubbing it right in MB's nose! Oh well, I guess if MB does not have what I like next time it is just time to look elsewhere....

Saprissa

agree 100% ! BMW is really advertising their FREE 2005 service/maintenance plan !!! Did they mention it was FREE !!!

MB take note.... many first time buyers are easily swayed by the word: "FREE" hmmm..... wonder why ?

nlpamg

Not just first time buyers are easily swayed by the word free!
But, I guess MB has some sort of a chokehold over BMW's. They know that many of their products will sell better compared to BMW's because of the sheer fact that BMW's designs have gotten FUGLY! At least none of the MB's look as HORRENDOUS as the new 5.

jan ken po

I'm glad I'm not the only one who hates the new 5...man I used to love hell out of BMW 5 series until they pulled that. However, the new 7s....I love them things..anyway back on topic

Again, from those pics..it seems to be an easy swap for the pre-05 assembly...think it would be a matter of rekeying would be the issue. Anyone got a part # & price on a pre-05 assembly?

CitronC230K_03

i know. like 5 waaaayyyy more than the 7. either way, Bangle needs to go!