kramerbenz

I recently bought my dad's 2003 E320 from him and unfortunately it only has one key. Being an old car i did not think the cost of a new key would be expensive. Little did i know that when i called the closest dealership they said it was going to be $390!!! I'm a poor college student who sometimes drops my keys and i would really hate to break or lose or lock out my only key. Is there any other option or do i really have to bite the bullet and buy a new key $390 key for a 15 year old car.

rapidoxidation

Don't drop your key. Don't lose it either. There's no way around it.
Oh, and not to sound snarky but this car requires a bit more $$$ to maintain than a Honda... $80 oil changes if you do it yourself, for example.

Strigoi

Just because it's an old car doesn't mean it will be cheap to maintain or when you need something for it. Parts cost don't go down just because the car is 15 years old. Keys are a dealer only item so if you need one you have to pay.

My E63 was a $100k car when new and it has the maintenance and parts cost (on some stuff) to match that. If I bought front brake rotors for my car at the dealer they're $1000 each. It's stuff like that that you need to think about when dealing with luxury cars.

kramerbenz

it was an easy purchase at the time since it was sold pretty cheap to me, but i am starting to regret getting it and having to maintain it with all the costs that come with it

Strigoi

There's a reason old luxury cars generally don't hold their value too well.

cetialpha5

I buy cheap sunglasses all the time and lose them. I had a friend who bought some fancy expensive ones, he never lost his as he made sure to keep track of it. Mine came with 2 keys and because they're keyless go, they're even more money than basic keys. Don't get the second key and don't lose your keys. I've had mine for 4 years and haven't lost one yet. I'm way more careful of where I put my keys. Also if you insist on buying one, shop around, prices vary from dealer to dealer and dealers will price match other dealers in your area so call all of them to see who has the lowest price. There's also typically discount coupons on their website on parts that you might be able to use. Lowest prices reported for a regular key is in the $250-$300 range.

e350forme

dont let them discourage you. Its just a car. The w211 platform is at least "Semi" user serviceable unlike newer MB. Congrats on the new whip.

What has not been mentioned is that you do not need the first key to make a "duplicate." Lets say you loose the first, the dealership can program a new one for you. I personally did not want to spend an arm and a leg on a replacement key. If I ever loose mine (which I wont because I know its my only one and has a big keychain on it and maybe I can write my name on the key and telephone number), the dealership can make a new one (however the car would be un driveable until you get the new key). I would not mind as I have a spare vehicle.

Some prefer to have a spare key, some do not. They dont duplicate the first key, they just re program a new one.

Be happy with your car and dont have regrets. Its a freakin MB after all! plus, its a 2003, drive it as much as it will let you and deal with issues as they come up. if something comes up, dont just throw money at it, Stop what you are doing and learn about it before you decide to spend any cash or taking it to dealer as soon as something comes up.

cetialpha5

I would also suggest saving your money and buying some kind of key finder. There's several articles about them out there. Going to be cheaper than a new MB key.

https://www.tomsguide.com/us/best-ke...view-2657.html

https://www.lifewire.com/best-key-finders-4150427

Strigoi

I don't see a "poor college student" doing much more than the most basic of maintenance themselves, especially if it's their only car. I'm guessing they don't have the tools, space or knowledge to perform repairs on it based on their post.

realeric

For your reference, even if you lost all keys, MB in Texas can make new keys only with your VIN number. If you want to go cheap, some locksmiths can program unprogrammed blank keys with special tools. You can buy a unprogrammed blank key on either ebay or online, and have the locksmiths program it. If you lost all keys and don't want to go dealership, you can detach the EIS module from the vehicle, send the EIS to the locksmith, then they can make keys for you.

Don't buy any "used" keys on ebay as it's locked to the previous vehicles. If you really want to reuse the used key, you have to desolder the IC on the PCB in the remote, erase it, and solder it back on the PCB. It's not easy. Just buy the unprogrammed key someone else did it for you.

This can't be done after 2015~ models because MB enhanced security. Only dealership can program it yet.

Strigoi

You are so full of ****.

Do you have any idea on the potential lawsuits they'd be opening themselves up to by doing that? You need proof of ownership to get keys.

Then again, there is the old saying. Don't mess with Texas, it's not nice to pick on retards.

mtrevelino

kajtek1

I hears about MB central key location in Texas as well, but it suppose to be "secret".
Shop around. I was able to buy chrome key/knob for $162.
Ask if service keys are still available. The no-remote key will still start the engine, cost way less and you can carry it on your wallet for emergencies.

cetialpha5

There are key programmers out there so some of what was said can be true.

Check out this one on Aliexpress, claims it does W211 before 2009 for $275. Just look for AK500+ key programmer..

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32827509314.html

ItalianJoe1

Not a secret, the north american center for keys is the lock and key center inside the Texas parts distribution center, near DFW in Grapevine, TX. They produce every single key that is ordered and programmed for every dealership, and any other TRP (theft relevant part) that must be coded/programmed, like an EIS, comes from them. It's a fairly secure place but I've been walked through on a tour during a training class, pretty cool to see.