Abitibi

Hi guys,

I think this is my 1st post on this forum but definitely not my 1st visit! Quick intro, last year I bought a pretty decent 1998 E300td with 120k miles that I was planning to strip the engine and tranny and put them in my 1970 Econoline van. Long story short, I fell in love with that car and decided to keep it, what an amazing ride! Since then I bought instead a 1992 with the OM603 that will go instead in my 1970 van (I run all my cars/trucks on wvo so that old 302 has to go)

Now, my 1998 came with two fobs and the spare one was dead so I replaced the batteries and it still doesn't work. The valet key will unlock the door but the fob wont even though it will blink red. The key won't even turn to any positions in the ignition so obviously it won't start the car.

What are my options as I'd like to have a spare key!

Cheers!
David
Vancouver, BC Canada

davmil2002

A local locksmitch was able to duplicate my key for ~$200 in 10 minutes. used the VIN and dialed into some Mercedes computer and got the code to program the blank. It works perfectly for 2 years now. Hope you can find similar service in your area.
If you want his contact info, I'll send it.. Obviously I was at less risk as I was there to test it out, but the guy is honest and friendly and I'm confident he'd stand behind his work. We live in Atlanta area.

Abitibi

Thanks davmil2022. I contacted a local locksmith so will find out soon enough if they can do it. It would be great to use your guy but I'm at the other end of the continent...

Cheers
David

E55 KEV

What year is your E-Class? Your signature states 320E. Is that a W124 chassis?

Abitibi has a 1998 W210 E-Class which is the first year of the infrared key so doesn't he need to go another route for a replacement key fob besides a Lock Smith?

1998 E-Class key:

Wassaby

I believe you cannot order anymore the original all black key. A new key will be silver like this generation and has to be programable at the MB dealer.

E55 KEV

The color is not important. The key pic was to show the W124 320E owner what the original 1998 infrared key looks like and that a Lock Smith can't help with.

davmil2002

Mine's a '99 E320 Sedan. I think it is a W124. Certainly the key you show looks almost identical. The only difference in the blank he sold and the genuineMB key is how the batteries load - original FOB the battery tray pulls out of the bottom and holds 2 batteries. His replacement FOB the entire side slides off exposing a single CR2025 battery.

I'm sure the locksmith I found on FBook duplicated it. He sold me the blank FOB, then called Mercedes, GDR and got the programming info from some source - all while I stood there; took 15 minutes with testing. He duplicated the steel key with his regular key copier.

The key works (has worked for 2 years) perfectly in doors, ignition, & trunk. Just changed the batteries and it and it still works normally.

It didn't seem sketchy but I was glad to be there while he demo'd how it worked perfectly and then he had me test it out to my satisfaction and said to bring it back if it had any issues. The doors are good but trunk unlock seems weak; but also true with the genuine key - e.g. - they work the same. Maybe that's just the way it was 20+ years ago and maybe mine's getting tired(?)... just know it's not as sensitive / powerful as my daughter's modern Toyota key.

Cost about $180-200 with the FOB as I recall. I'm not trying to pitch the guy, but if you want his number (Atlanta) let me know.

E55 KEV

Thanks for the update. You have W210 chassis. I was thrown off as you called it an 320E instread of E320. Thanks for all the info.