2003 e500 wife lost key. can i buy key from ebay and get programed?
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c350
2003 e500 wife lost key. can i buy key from ebay and get programed?
Can i purchase this key:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MERCEDES-4-B...item43ae5c502a
Looks like its a newer style and get it programmed? I dont care about the cut part as i only want the fob to use to unlock turn on etc.
My wife will be using the spare for now. Can a indy program that key
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MERCEDES-4-B...item43ae5c502a
Looks like its a newer style and get it programmed? I dont care about the cut part as i only want the fob to use to unlock turn on etc.
My wife will be using the spare for now. Can a indy program that key
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Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Cross Roads, PA
2008 ML320CDI
May be different on W211, but when I ordered a key for my W210, they told me MB allows for up to 8 keys per vehicle. The keys HAVE to be ordered from MB through a dealer. You have to provide proof of ownership. They can actually tell how many keys have been issued to your vehicle.
Member
Joined: Mar 2012
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From: Dallas
2009 E350
I just bought an 09 e350 and came across this thread as Im the same boat as the OP. I called the dealer and the told me it must be bought from an authorized dealer. I will be checking online as the price quoted of $400ish seems high.
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
Keyless Go keys are about $100 more expensive than regular keys... and call around, dealers can charge you list or 20% off list depending on if they like your face or not at first glance. I have found Auto Nation owned MB dealers are not competitive... Group 1 owned Dealerships can be competitive... a "Family-owned" guy with 1 or 2 MB dealerships will likely be most competitive.
Last edited by Barry45RPM; Apr 1, 2012 at 10:56 AM.
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Newbie
Joined: Mar 2012
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From: Silicon Valley
2006 E350 4MATIC
Yes, certain indys can program your car to accept the remote.
I purchased a key through one them which was $75 less than what the dealer wanted. I still had to provide proof of vehicle ownership to the indy, which in turn, had to take that info to the Mercedes dealership to order the remote.
When it came time to add the new remote, the indy required all of my remotes so he can wipe the car's memory and add only my remotes. You wouldn't want someone to find your lost remote then have the ability to steal your car.
I purchased a key through one them which was $75 less than what the dealer wanted. I still had to provide proof of vehicle ownership to the indy, which in turn, had to take that info to the Mercedes dealership to order the remote.
When it came time to add the new remote, the indy required all of my remotes so he can wipe the car's memory and add only my remotes. You wouldn't want someone to find your lost remote then have the ability to steal your car.
Last edited by RussellL; Mar 31, 2012 at 10:17 PM.
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From: Highlands Ranch, Colorado
2014 BMW M235i
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Just made this mistake as a first-time Benz owner, and all eBay postings are 100% fraudulent. (I even called my dealer about it but the receptionist didn't understand my question initially!?!?) Received a refund from eBay buyer protection, but it was a hassle and not worth it. $270 is what I was quoted for a W211 non-keyless go fob on a 2007. +/- $50 is a good deal.
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Just made this mistake as a first-time Benz owner, and all eBay postings are 100% fraudulent. (I even called my dealer about it but the receptionist didn't understand my question initially!?!?) Received a refund from eBay buyer protection, but it was a hassle and not worth it. $270 is what I was quoted for a W211 non-keyless go fob on a 2007. +/- $50 is a good deal.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2012
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From: Silicon Valley
2006 E350 4MATIC
Why are they all fraudulent? Which one did you have experience with? Please give us details.
Regardless what car you own, the dealership will talk bad about everybody else.
Regardless what car you own, the dealership will talk bad about everybody else.
Last edited by RussellL; Apr 8, 2012 at 01:54 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Highlands Ranch, Colorado
2014 BMW M235i
They are not all fraudulent, as in new keys being sold on eBay as guaranteed new are fine. But as you know (from my profile) I have been into electrical engineering and computer hardware for quite a long time. I found out that the chip on which the car identification is written to is ROM - read only memory, or some type of CMOS chip that functions in a similar way.
This means that the data can only be written to it once. You CANNOT rewrite or reprogram anything on that chip because it is simply not possible on the electronics level. Indies cannot do it, special computers cannot do it, and dealers won't do it. Once you program it initially for a certain vehicle, it will be that way for the rest of its existence unless you remove and swap the integrated circuit. Therefore, ANY eBay posting selling a used key or any "extra" key is 100% fraudulent because they are knowingly selling you a worthless product. It isn't just the dealer's opinion, it is the reality of how it functions.
It isn't a matter of a valid receipt or identification. I had the experience buying a key for my 2007 E-Class the week after the car arrived and ended up going through eBay buyer protection to get a refund (absolute pain). Some older fob versions are different but pretty much any W211 with this version of SoC works the same way.
This means that the data can only be written to it once. You CANNOT rewrite or reprogram anything on that chip because it is simply not possible on the electronics level. Indies cannot do it, special computers cannot do it, and dealers won't do it. Once you program it initially for a certain vehicle, it will be that way for the rest of its existence unless you remove and swap the integrated circuit. Therefore, ANY eBay posting selling a used key or any "extra" key is 100% fraudulent because they are knowingly selling you a worthless product. It isn't just the dealer's opinion, it is the reality of how it functions.
It isn't a matter of a valid receipt or identification. I had the experience buying a key for my 2007 E-Class the week after the car arrived and ended up going through eBay buyer protection to get a refund (absolute pain). Some older fob versions are different but pretty much any W211 with this version of SoC works the same way.
Last edited by AMGAffalterbach; Apr 8, 2012 at 10:33 PM.
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If the ecu is reprogrammed to recognize the keys unique id numbers I dont understand why a used real key from Ebay would not be able to be included in that list that the ecu would recognize and include in the "valid" list during the reprogramming learning mode.
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From: Silicon Valley
2006 E350 4MATIC
Just like programming a new remote for your garage door opener, your vehicle's computer is being programmed to accept the new key.
That's how my indie mechanic explained it to me when he programmed the key I purchased from him.
Since I just bought the car used, he removed all of the remotes from the list only authorized the 2 in my possession.
Last edited by RussellL; May 28, 2015 at 09:17 PM.
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I agree.
Just like programming a new remote for your garage door opener, your vehicle's computer is being programmed to accept the new key.
That's how my indie mechanic explained it to me when he programmed the key I purchased from him.
Since I just bought the car used, he removed all of the remotes from the list only authorized the 2 in my possession.
Just like programming a new remote for your garage door opener, your vehicle's computer is being programmed to accept the new key.
That's how my indie mechanic explained it to me when he programmed the key I purchased from him.
Since I just bought the car used, he removed all of the remotes from the list only authorized the 2 in my possession.
I think the chips in the remote board are burned in at the factory then shipped to dealers.
Urban legend has it that there is a Master Database that contains the Id numbers burned from the factory for the original master keys.
Since this can be hacked it is probably new procedure now to burn totally new codes, ship to dealer and have them matched to the car ecu.
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Sorry.
I was only recently looking to buy a e500 and the last 2 cars I saw the owners only had 1 key.
Also there is a lot of myths out there about the key programming stuff, where a lot of people sat you have to go to a dealer.
I'm sure anyone with a das system can do the reinitialation process. They have Chinese old version 3 systems for 300 on fleabay.
I was only recently looking to buy a e500 and the last 2 cars I saw the owners only had 1 key.
Also there is a lot of myths out there about the key programming stuff, where a lot of people sat you have to go to a dealer.
I'm sure anyone with a das system can do the reinitialation process. They have Chinese old version 3 systems for 300 on fleabay.
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From: Pottstown, PA
'97 S500 Coupe, 2016 AMG S63 Coupe, 2007 Audi Q7
Why spend the money for a Used Mercedes then worry about the cost of a key? The key cost can be shopped (valid owner doc) from indies and dealers and the expense is small compared to any other maintenance cost and parts, not worth the trouble.
