E-Class (W211) 2003-2009

2003 e500 wife lost key. can i buy key from ebay and get programed?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old 03-28-2012, 03:55 PM
  #1  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
jateshk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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
Old 03-28-2012, 04:44 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
Efivehundred's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: North NJ
Posts: 320
Received 7 Likes on 4 Posts
06 E55(SOLD), 03 E500(SOLD)
No, you MUST go to a dealer to get a replacement key. Call around, prices will vary.
Old 03-28-2012, 04:47 PM
  #3  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
jateshk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
c350
really no way a indy can program another key?
Old 03-28-2012, 05:51 PM
  #4  
Administrator

 
amdeutsch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: www.Traben-Trarbach.de
Posts: 15,720
Received 28 Likes on 23 Posts
MPG+ ROLFCOPTER
Originally Posted by jateshk
really no way a indy can program another key?
NO

Why would a member who doesn't know you lie about that. Please search the forum on this subject matter since it has been discussed numerous times.
Old 03-29-2012, 10:27 AM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
06e320cdi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Cross Roads, PA
Posts: 431
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
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.
Old 03-31-2012, 12:19 AM
  #6  
Member
 
kosmo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Dallas
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.
Old 03-31-2012, 06:04 PM
  #7  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Barry45RPM's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
Posts: 5,017
Likes: 0
Received 15 Likes on 15 Posts
2015 ML 350
Originally Posted by kosmo
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.
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; 04-01-2012 at 10:56 AM.
Old 03-31-2012, 10:04 PM
  #8  
Newbie
 
RussellL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Silicon Valley
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.

Last edited by RussellL; 03-31-2012 at 10:17 PM.
Old 04-01-2012, 08:13 PM
  #9  
Super Member
 
NorseWagon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Palm Coast, Florida
Posts: 679
Received 118 Likes on 76 Posts
2019 E-450 Wagon
Paid $240.00 for new key at the MB dealer.
Old 04-02-2012, 04:04 AM
  #10  
Junior Member
 
bigbudha's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
04 e320 sport
paid $175 new fob and key blade at the dealer.
Old 04-02-2012, 12:11 PM
  #11  
Member
 
kosmo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Dallas
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
2009 E350
norsewagon and bigbudha
is that for the standard or keyless go key?

My dealer quoted $450 for the Keyless go. WOW.

Last edited by kosmo; 04-02-2012 at 04:28 PM.
Old 04-02-2012, 05:18 PM
  #12  
Junior Member
 
bigbudha's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
04 e320 sport
that was for the regular keys.
Old 04-02-2012, 07:25 PM
  #13  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
WEBSRFR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,136
Received 40 Likes on 34 Posts
Tesla Model S P100D
Originally Posted by kosmo
norsewagon and bigbudha
is that for the standard or keyless go key?

My dealer quoted $450 for the Keyless go. WOW.
Gives new meaning to "Keyless go" as in you go without keys
Old 04-05-2012, 12:19 AM
  #14  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
AMGAffalterbach's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Highlands Ranch, Colorado
Posts: 3,184
Received 16 Likes on 14 Posts
2014 BMW M235i
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO

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.
Old 04-08-2012, 01:52 PM
  #15  
Newbie
 
RussellL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Silicon Valley
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.

Last edited by RussellL; 04-08-2012 at 01:54 PM.
Old 04-08-2012, 02:54 PM
  #16  
Member
 
kosmo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Dallas
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
2009 E350
I dont think the keys are actually fraudulent. The 3dealers ive spoke to will not program a valid key w/o a receipt from an authorized mb dealer.
Old 04-08-2012, 10:30 PM
  #17  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
AMGAffalterbach's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Highlands Ranch, Colorado
Posts: 3,184
Received 16 Likes on 14 Posts
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.

Last edited by AMGAffalterbach; 04-08-2012 at 10:33 PM.
Old 05-28-2015, 08:03 PM
  #18  
Newbie
 
samsonn25's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
in process
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.
Old 05-28-2015, 09:11 PM
  #19  
Newbie
 
RussellL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Silicon Valley
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
2006 E350 4MATIC
Originally Posted by samsonn25
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.
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.

Last edited by RussellL; 05-28-2015 at 09:17 PM.
Old 05-28-2015, 09:24 PM
  #20  
Newbie
 
samsonn25's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
in process
Originally Posted by RussellL
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.

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.
Old 05-28-2015, 11:49 PM
  #21  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
AMGAffalterbach's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Highlands Ranch, Colorado
Posts: 3,184
Received 16 Likes on 14 Posts
2014 BMW M235i
Why did you resurrect a 3 year old thread that has been covered hundreds of times before then and since then lol?
Old 05-28-2015, 11:54 PM
  #22  
Newbie
 
samsonn25's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
in process
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.
Old 05-29-2015, 04:31 AM
  #23  
Super Member
 
burgca's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Pottstown, PA
Posts: 534
Received 42 Likes on 40 Posts
'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.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.

Quick Reply: 2003 e500 wife lost key. can i buy key from ebay and get programed?



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:08 AM.