precisionmike

Hello All,

My son has a 2006 e500. He has it parked at his college and misplaced the only key we had. The car is currently locked.

We have AAA, I am wondering if they will be able to get it to the dealer? Would they need to get inside to tow it? Once the car is to the dealer, how much do they normally charge for a key and programming?

Thanks in advance, Mike.

kajtek1

You choose not to disclosure your location, but assuming you are in US, you need to get new key from the dealer.
Go there with proof of ownership and place the order. Usually new keys overnight, so you can have it in 2-3 days.
Now some dealers require to see the car to hand you new key.
They might tell you about necessary programming, what is BS
So you will have to use your negotiation skill to get the key in your hand without more hassle.
Worse come to worse, I would rather pay dealer's technician to drive to the car with new key, than taking your chances with towing.
BTW when placing the order, get 2nd key as well.
So called "service key" (no remote) suppose to cost less than 40 bucks.
Coming to the price, last time I bought the key about 3 years ago, they retail at $180, but some dealers don't hesitate to ask >$400

PaulE550

Current price for a new key is in the $350 to $400 range. As for AAA being able to tow it to a MB dealership, I doubt you want to try that as you have no way to get the transmission into neutral. Last thing you want to do is drag the car up onto a flatbed with it in park.

Do what Kajtek1 said and go the dealership to order new keys. Proof of ownership and VIN number should be all you need. You keep one key and give the other to your son, so you don't run into this issue again.

precisionmike

Great info, thanks very much. I assumed that I needed to bring the car to the dealer to have it coded. Good to know that is not the case.

Bahnstormer

I just bought a duplicate key last week for my 2003 E500 from the local dealership. Cost was $351 for the key with blade and took two days for delivery - no programming required.

cetialpha5

Yeah, don't get suckered on the programming. Those that have paid for it says that all it seems to consist of is putting the key in the ignition and waiting a minute or two then turning it. Call around and see which dealer will do it cheapest. Various dealers in the US have service coupons and will price match. I think if you call MB service, they will tow it for free as long as the car is repaired there. They usually have some dolly wheels if the transmission is locked and you don't want them putting flat spots on your tires by dragging it a few feet. That's probably the same as locking the brakes though probably doesn't do too much damage.

Shadow5501

There are some subtleties to be aware of. The Electrionic Ignition Switch (EIS) supports eight unique keys. Typically when you purchase a new key from the dealer they give you the next key in the sequence. That new key works immediately, you can walk up to the car, unlock the door, and start the engine.

It is also possible to replace each of the eight keys two times. A replacement key is when it must sync to the car by being inserted into the car and waiting - sometimes a good bit of time. The key transmits a pseudo random rolling code each time it is authorized to start the car. So a different code is transmitted each time. Pretty typical stuff. But when you buy a replacement for key 1 (for example) you have to wait for the car to work through the entire rolling code sequence until the replacement key reaches the same point in the code sequence as the original key. With a key that has been used for 15 years, this could take a while.

MB keeps records of every key issued for every car. So the parts guy will know whether you are getting a fresh, unused key or a replacement for an existing key. And you can set expectations for whether it will work immediately or not.

If you buy a key in a new slot, the existing key will work if it is found. If you buy a replacement for an existing key, the old key will not work if it turns up.

Shadow5501

Double post deleted...

kajtek1

Never have heard about dealer offering "replacement key".
They always give you key that goes into new slot.
That said, getting replacement key might be good idea if previous key was lost on the campus.
By programming replacement key, the old key should be deleted from car memory, what is a good thing.
My guess is that not too many technicians are familiar with this high-end programming and they hesitate to do that.
Either way, if dealer sucks your for programming, make sure he will give you confirmation that the old key was deleted.

EuroDriverSD

I purchased a replacement key last year in So Cal. Dealer asked for copy of my registration and driver's license. I paid around $350 and about 3 days later, I had a new key. As a courtesy, they simply tested it to make sure it locked/unlocked and started the car. That was it - no additional programming, etc. was needed. Keys are made in Texas and matched to the VIN. All programming is done there.

Chusian32

You can replace your lost car key at a locksmith, even if you don't have the original key. Going straight to a locksmith may be more cost-effective than going to your car dealer, but you'll need some information to make the process easier.