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Key Fob Upgrade

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Old Sep 3, 2017 | 10:39 AM
  #1  
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2017 C43 Coupe
Key Fob Upgrade

Anyone know if it would be possible to upgrade our key fobs to the new E-Class key style? I've always thought our keys were very outdated, and these new ones are pretty slick. I wonder if you could get one programmed through a dealership or if the chips are too dissimilar for that to work.
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Old Sep 3, 2017 | 01:34 PM
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Originally Posted by VCashmo
Anyone know if it would be possible to upgrade our key fobs to the new E-Class key style? I've always thought our keys were very outdated, and these new ones are pretty slick. I wonder if you could get one programmed through a dealership or if the chips are too dissimilar for that to work.
Does this key contain the nose tip that is required to start the car with the key?
Otherwise you cannot start the car when your battery is dead.
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Old Sep 3, 2017 | 02:56 PM
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It does not, but honestly I'd be willing to make that sacrifice.
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Old Sep 3, 2017 | 03:06 PM
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Originally Posted by VCashmo
It does not, but honestly I'd be willing to make that sacrifice.
Have you asked your dealership ? it doesn't sound like something Mercedes would do.

why would they expose themselves to frivolous lawsuits ? it would be silly cause that's what people do , not you but other people.
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Old Sep 3, 2017 | 03:10 PM
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Originally Posted by GerritKw
Does this key contain the nose tip that is required to start the car with the key?
Otherwise you cannot start the car when your battery is dead.
then how do E class start the car when battery is dead ?
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Old Sep 3, 2017 | 06:14 PM
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Originally Posted by netboy
then how do E class start the car when battery is dead ?
They probably have a slot where they can insert that fob into or something of that nature. Or maybe a spot somewhere you can put the fob directly on to start it, like how bmw has a little key icon on the steering column where you can directly put the key on to for emergency cases like this. I might be wrong though lol
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Old Aug 27, 2020 | 01:57 PM
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W205 '15 | '17 C43 | '18 C63(current) | '15'GL350 | '16 G550 (current)
Also interested.

Originally Posted by VCashmo
Anyone know if it would be possible to upgrade our key fobs to the new E-Class key style? I've always thought our keys were very outdated, and these new ones are pretty slick. I wonder if you could get one programmed through a dealership or if the chips are too dissimilar for that to work.
I’m wondering the same. I called a few dealerships and it was a hard no. Let us know if you had a different experience.
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Old Aug 27, 2020 | 11:02 PM
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I’ve seen someone do it but can’t find it. It is possible
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Old Aug 29, 2020 | 01:40 AM
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No - it's not possible - move on ..
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Old Aug 30, 2020 | 04:02 PM
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Yes some peoples did it. It’s doable but you have to modify the E class key cases (aftermarket). Maybe someone will make a plug-and-play cases in future.
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Old Aug 30, 2020 | 05:25 PM
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The new key is a huge improvement, but these conversions are cosmetic only. In fact, you're giving up an important feature: the ability to start the car when the key battery dies. That's like putting an AMG badge on a non-AMG car, except that that won't disable any features.

The old key failsafe start uses the IR window in the "snout" to verify the key. The new key uses an NFC chip and the NFC reader in the dash tray. (NFC gets it power from the reader inductively, which is how it works with a dead key battery.) Furthermore, if you have Keyless Go the new key has an accelerometer that puts it to sleep if it's sitting. This is for security so thieves can't clone it if it's sitting in your car in your garage. It also improves key battery life.

But if you start the car with a sleeping key sitting in the car, it will wake it up by RF or NFC if its battery is dead. All very cool, but none of that can work with a modified key in an older model. Pure poseur.
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Old Aug 31, 2020 | 10:23 AM
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This is the key I got with my 2019. I guess I'm screwed if the battery dies
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Old Aug 31, 2020 | 05:33 PM
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Originally Posted by JMitch5000
This is the key I got with my 2019. I guess I'm screwed if the battery dies
If this is the key that came with the car, it will work with a dead battery via NFC, as I described. There should be a spot in the dash that you set the key in for dead battery start. Check your manual.
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Old Sep 1, 2020 | 02:55 AM
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Originally Posted by JMitch5000
if the battery dies
Or you can keep extra batteries($1/ea) in the glove box.
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Old Sep 1, 2020 | 09:59 AM
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It's just a key, why go trough all that?
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Old Jul 13, 2023 | 11:50 AM
  #16  
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Anyone tried this?

Originally Posted by VCashmo
Anyone know if it would be possible to upgrade our key fobs to the new E-Class key style? I've always thought our keys were very outdated, and these new ones are pretty slick. I wonder if you could get one programmed through a dealership or if the chips are too dissimilar for that to work.
Have you tried this? It looks interesting, looks like you have to weld a couple points but you take the board out of your current key and put it into this, allowing you to use this touchscreen?

https://benz-yourself.com/products/s...es-benz-models

Not sure if this is legit, but I have multiple keys...
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Old Jul 14, 2023 | 09:27 PM
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Be careful with that site “Benz yourself”
of there’s problem with anything i couldn’t get anyone to respond AT ALL
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Old Jul 15, 2023 | 01:11 PM
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Originally Posted by Mike M. Greyson
Have you tried this? It looks interesting, looks like you have to weld a couple points but you take the board out of your current key and put it into this, allowing you to use this touchscreen?

https://benz-yourself.com/products/s...es-benz-models

Not sure if this is legit, but I have multiple keys...
this looks interesting but a little sketchy lol. Maybe if i hade an extra key to sacrifice id try it.
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Old Jul 15, 2023 | 11:42 PM
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Originally Posted by VCashmo
It does not, but honestly I'd be willing to make that sacrifice.
it would probably cost $500. Just to get a key that looks better? Doesn’t the key normally stay in your pocket?
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Old Jul 16, 2023 | 12:59 PM
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I think this is a cool idea, but losing the ability to start the car when/if the fob battery dies may bite you in the a**.

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