Replacement key
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
W212 E500
Replacement key
Hi all,
I'm new to the forum and have searched for the answer, i'm either blind, couldn't find one or i'm stupid
I recently purchased a 2009 E500 (E550 in some countries) and it only came with the 1 key.
I'm aware I can go to a dealer and have one replaced for the cost of the royal crown jewels, but I'm pondering the following:
If I can purchase a second hand key fro a wrecked vehicle, can it be defaulted and re-programmed to suit my car?
Hopefully there is some guru out there who can answer this one for me.
Cheers
Pete Collie
Melbourne Australia
2009 W212 E500
I'm new to the forum and have searched for the answer, i'm either blind, couldn't find one or i'm stupid
I recently purchased a 2009 E500 (E550 in some countries) and it only came with the 1 key.
I'm aware I can go to a dealer and have one replaced for the cost of the royal crown jewels, but I'm pondering the following:
If I can purchase a second hand key fro a wrecked vehicle, can it be defaulted and re-programmed to suit my car?
Hopefully there is some guru out there who can answer this one for me.
Cheers
Pete Collie
Melbourne Australia
2009 W212 E500
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 517
Likes: 59
2012 E550 Cabriolet 2011 VW Eos 1985 Pininfarina Spider
Hi all,
I'm new to the forum and have searched for the answer, i'm either blind, couldn't find one or i'm stupid
I recently purchased a 2009 E500 (E550 in some countries) and it only came with the 1 key.
I'm aware I can go to a dealer and have one replaced for the cost of the royal crown jewels, but I'm pondering the following:
If I can purchase a second hand key fro a wrecked vehicle, can it be defaulted and re-programmed to suit my car?
Hopefully there is some guru out there who can answer this one for me.
Cheers
Pete Collie
Melbourne Australia
2009 W212 E500
I'm new to the forum and have searched for the answer, i'm either blind, couldn't find one or i'm stupid
I recently purchased a 2009 E500 (E550 in some countries) and it only came with the 1 key.
I'm aware I can go to a dealer and have one replaced for the cost of the royal crown jewels, but I'm pondering the following:
If I can purchase a second hand key fro a wrecked vehicle, can it be defaulted and re-programmed to suit my car?
Hopefully there is some guru out there who can answer this one for me.
Cheers
Pete Collie
Melbourne Australia
2009 W212 E500
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 865
Likes: 61
From: Bay Area
14 550 sedan
Swapping the damaged shell for another shell is one thing, but getting a whole new key most likely requires dealer programming to computer chip inside the keyfob / shell
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
W212 E500
Seriously, its not that expensive when you think about it.
Thanks all.
Pete
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4,037
Likes: 1,011
From: Miami, FL
2003 CL 600
Nobody can legitimately reprogram a used key. I believe there are guys who have come up with ways to do so via opening them up and basically hacking into the board in the key, but in general, no you can't program a key that has already been programmed.
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Member
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 129
Likes: 23
From: Wilton, CT
2013 E350 4Matic Coupe
Replacement Key
Hi all,
I'm new to the forum and have searched for the answer, i'm either blind, couldn't find one or i'm stupid
I recently purchased a 2009 E500 (E550 in some countries) and it only came with the 1 key.
I'm aware I can go to a dealer and have one replaced for the cost of the royal crown jewels, but I'm pondering the following:
If I can purchase a second hand key fro a wrecked vehicle, can it be defaulted and re-programmed to suit my car?
Hopefully there is some guru out there who can answer this one for me.
Cheers
Pete Collie
Melbourne Australia
2009 W212 E500
I'm new to the forum and have searched for the answer, i'm either blind, couldn't find one or i'm stupid
I recently purchased a 2009 E500 (E550 in some countries) and it only came with the 1 key.
I'm aware I can go to a dealer and have one replaced for the cost of the royal crown jewels, but I'm pondering the following:
If I can purchase a second hand key fro a wrecked vehicle, can it be defaulted and re-programmed to suit my car?
Hopefully there is some guru out there who can answer this one for me.
Cheers
Pete Collie
Melbourne Australia
2009 W212 E500
I called multiple dealers and found a significant variation in price $300 to $450 US.
I needed to show my license and state registration to prove ownership of the vehicle. Before the service department ordered a replacement key fob, they did verify that my second key fob did not work.
Good luck and please report back your experiece.
Last edited by SMG_CT; Aug 19, 2018 at 05:32 PM. Reason: Correction
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4,037
Likes: 1,011
From: Miami, FL
2003 CL 600
No there is no dealer reprogramming of the used keys. It can't be done. The blade is totally separate, when we order a key you get the fob alone, if you want the blade it has it's own part # and is ordered as it's own part.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
W212 E500
Called the dealer and they confirmed that they cannot be re-programmed. (they said they always get asked)
$580AU for the new key after I prove I'm the new owner etc etc. I'll get one organised.
Thanks guys
Pete
$580AU for the new key after I prove I'm the new owner etc etc. I'll get one organised.
Thanks guys
Pete
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 255
Likes: 36
From: Las Vegas
2012 E350 sedan
Similar experience
I recently needed to purchase a 2nd key for my 2013 E350 Coupe as my spare key fob stopped working.
I called multiple dealers and found a significant variation in price $300 to $450 US.
I needed to show my license and state registration to prove ownership of the vehicle. Before the service department ordered a replacement key fob, they did verify that my second key fob did not work.
Good luck and please report back your experiece.
I called multiple dealers and found a significant variation in price $300 to $450 US.
I needed to show my license and state registration to prove ownership of the vehicle. Before the service department ordered a replacement key fob, they did verify that my second key fob did not work.
Good luck and please report back your experiece.
We don't have keyless go so we now store the spare key in the trunk.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4,037
Likes: 1,011
From: Miami, FL
2003 CL 600
Wife went to start the car in Nowhere Arizona during a vacation and the car would not turn over. Fob unlocked the doors. Towed by AAA to the nearest garage and they found everything they could check (battery, starter, etc) was fine. Towed 50+ miles to the nearest dealer in Phoenix and they determined the key was broke. They had to order a new key because dealers are not allowed to carry keys in stock to program. This took several days. Fortunately it happened under warranty and MB paid for the repairs, tows, rental car, meals, hotel.
We don't have keyless go so we now store the spare key in the trunk.
We don't have keyless go so we now store the spare key in the trunk.
Banned
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 4,957
Likes: 1,640
Dealers don't actually program the key (well, on the newest DAS4 keys we can if you have a good working key, but not older cars up to 2015 or so), all keys come from the lock and key center in Texas, they provide them to every dealer in North America. I've been there on a tour when I was in a class, pretty cool place, just thousands of keys in row after row of bins for every possible configuration. Small group of guys/gals working there, program something like 500+ keys a day or some crazy number. They also have the only machines outside of Germany to cut the blades, even for very old vehicles.
Member
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 130
Likes: 18
'11 E350 4Matic Sport
Yeah dealer only item - there are a handful of "Theft Relevant Parts" in any modern Mercedes that require signed affidavits and proof of ownership to be provided to get the part. I don't think independents can even order them directly - when my ESL/EIS were replaced on my '09 C300 at a local indy shop they just sent their parts guy to Mercedes Benz of Buckhead to get the parts, I learned this later on when I went in for service and my VIN pulled up under the name of the indy shop and my service advisor rattled off all the parts they bought which was pretty much every theft relevant part for the repair they made to my ESL and EIS.
IIRC the new fob, engraved hard key and programming were only I think $260 or $270 from the indy who did my ESL and EIS.
IIRC the new fob, engraved hard key and programming were only I think $260 or $270 from the indy who did my ESL and EIS.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 517
Likes: 59
2012 E550 Cabriolet 2011 VW Eos 1985 Pininfarina Spider
I recently needed to purchase a 2nd key for my 2013 E350 Coupe as my spare key fob stopped working.
I called multiple dealers and found a significant variation in price $300 to $450 US.
I needed to show my license and state registration to prove ownership of the vehicle. Before the service department ordered a replacement key fob, they did verify that my second key fob did not work.
Good luck and please report back your experiece.
I called multiple dealers and found a significant variation in price $300 to $450 US.
I needed to show my license and state registration to prove ownership of the vehicle. Before the service department ordered a replacement key fob, they did verify that my second key fob did not work.
Good luck and please report back your experiece.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 6,190
Likes: 1,549
From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
I received a wide range of price quotes when I called around. Some dealers just quoted the price of the FOB and some quoted the FOB with an hour of labor. When I asked about the hour of labor they replied they needed to verify the FOB worked. I feel charging for an hour of labor on a new OEM FOB is excessive and when I order my FOB it will not be from one of these dealers.
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
E300
They really rob you blind with the cost of replacement key. Bought a used 2017 E300 few weeks ago that only come with 1 key. Called 2 dealers in North Texas area and they both quoted $544 for the key, $100 or so for the blade and about $170 service charge to program the new key. I'm looking at about $814 plus tax for a freaking key. Anyway I can get it for less? TIA for all the help.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,900
Likes: 210
From: Sacramento , CA
2010 e550 p2
They really rob you blind with the cost of replacement key. Bought a used 2017 E300 few weeks ago that only come with 1 key. Called 2 dealers in North Texas area and they both quoted $544 for the key, $100 or so for the blade and about $170 service charge to program the new key. I'm looking at about $814 plus tax for a freaking key. Anyway I can get it for less? TIA for all the help.
try any indy shop in your area , they could probably get you for a half price or even more. That sounds like a rip off..even thos thats what dealerships are lol
also there was a thread about key replacement with a lot of info.
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
E300
My co-worker also recommended calling keyexpress. I'm gonna give them a call and check around. I know MB means expensive, but almost $900 for a key is wayyyyyy too much.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4,037
Likes: 1,011
From: Miami, FL
2003 CL 600
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 6,190
Likes: 1,549
From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
They really rob you blind with the cost of replacement key. Bought a used 2017 E300 few weeks ago that only come with 1 key. Called 2 dealers in North Texas area and they both quoted $544 for the key, $100 or so for the blade and about $170 service charge to program the new key. I'm looking at about $814 plus tax for a freaking key. Anyway I can get it for less? TIA for all the help.
With the price of keys these days, you should always buy a car with 2 keys or make the dealer provide it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4,037
Likes: 1,011
From: Miami, FL
2003 CL 600
Call a few more. Most MB dealers match others in the area. You might check a locksmith for the blade price or just skip the blade, you only really need it to get in if the battery dies. Also see if someone else doesn't charge for programming. In the past threads, the programming is just putting the key in the ignition and making sure it turns and starts up. Also most MB dealers seem to run different discounts, sometimes you find 10% off in their service/parts specials.
With the price of keys these days, you should always buy a car with 2 keys or make the dealer provide it.
With the price of keys these days, you should always buy a car with 2 keys or make the dealer provide it.
Def try a couple dealers though, there will be someone who isn't trying to kill you on the price and will get closer to cost on the key, saving you potentially several hundred dollars.
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
E300
Call a few more. Most MB dealers match others in the area. You might check a locksmith for the blade price or just skip the blade, you only really need it to get in if the battery dies. Also see if someone else doesn't charge for programming. In the past threads, the programming is just putting the key in the ignition and making sure it turns and starts up. Also most MB dealers seem to run different discounts, sometimes you find 10% off in their service/parts specials.
With the price of keys these days, you should always buy a car with 2 keys or make the dealer provide it.
With the price of keys these days, you should always buy a car with 2 keys or make the dealer provide it.
