1999 ML430 lost only key dealer wants $350???
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1999 ML430
1999 ML430 lost only key dealer wants $350???
Yep, lost my one and only key to the ML430. Called the dealer and she says i have to have my Merc towed there (how they do that when i cant get it out of Park is beyond me). So, i have to have it towed, bring my Title, registration and ID. She said they can order the key will take less than 24 hours and they program it and im good to go.
Certainly there has to be a cheaper way and a way i dont have to tow my freaking vehicle?? Please.
Certainly there has to be a cheaper way and a way i dont have to tow my freaking vehicle?? Please.
Member
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Toronto, Canada
CL550 & CL55 AMG
Key
A phone call to your service advisor or sales rep with your vin and proof of ownership when you fetch the key is all that is required. For that price they should deliver! Regardless of ones net worth some prices from MB sometimes make one wonder what happened to the value equation?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 37
Likes: 1
1999 ML430
A phone call to your service advisor or sales rep with your vin and proof of ownership when you fetch the key is all that is required. For that price they should deliver! Regardless of ones net worth some prices from MB sometimes make one wonder what happened to the value equation?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
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1999 ML430
Thanks!
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1998 Ml 320, 1980 300sd
Thanks
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Bronx, N.Y.
2002 ML 320 & 2006 ML500
As you already know, have the truck towed to the dealer.
The other is the registered owner must present himself/herself at the dealer, with driver's license, registration, and title to the truck and order a new key.
The key will take approx. 3-5 days to arrive and it should be already programmed to start and drive the truck. Then you will have to bring the truck in again so they can program the Central Locking to open and close the doors using the remote.
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1998 Ml 320, 1980 300sd
You can only do this one of two ways.
As you already know, have the truck towed to the dealer.
The other is the registered owner must present himself/herself at the dealer, with driver's license, registration, and title to the truck and order a new key.
The key will take approx. 3-5 days to arrive and it should be already programmed to start and drive the truck. Then you will have to bring the truck in again so they can program the Central Locking to open and close the doors using the remote.
Thanks Maj Dundee I believe I will try the latter as the car is more than 80 miles from the nearest dealer.
Ps I have a key which the previous owner had fried (ie RFID chip not working but remote for alarm and key does) do you think I could ask them to duplicate it or is it SOP for every dealer that I can ask for a new key to the VIN?
Thanks for all the great advice!
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From: Bronx, N.Y.
2002 ML 320 & 2006 ML500
You can ask a dealer for any key, as long as you have not gone over the limit of 8 keys.
Two were supplied to the original and if the other owners used up all the others, you are in for a huge bill.
Two were supplied to the original and if the other owners used up all the others, you are in for a huge bill.
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1998 Ml 320, 1980 300sd
I'm $283 poorer but the key is on it's way! However the dealer is quoting $120 for the alarm function of the remote programming, can I do this on my own using the sequence from the instructions manual?
Thanks
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Bronx, N.Y.
2002 ML 320 & 2006 ML500
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1998 Ml 320, 1980 300sd
Update to the situation, apparently the previous owners had gone through 8 programming slots and I have to purchase the aam to a song of $4,600. I asked whether they could duplicate the RFID from the fried key I still have in possession and had a negative reply. Any ideas, other than scrapping the truck or swapping from the aam and keys from another junkyard truck?
Thanks
Thanks
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From: 2400 miles east of paradise.
1992 500E, 1994 E500, 2011 E550 and 2018 GLE350
I purchased an extra key for my SL and all they needed was a copy of the registration. I also received 20% discount for being a MBUSA club member. The dealer never had to touch or even see the car. The key took a couple days to get and was programmed for my car. However, my keyless go card is toast and they say they have to have the car for an hour at $120/hour to program it. $340 for the card and another $120 for programming. I decided I could live without it for the time being.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Bronx, N.Y.
2002 ML 320 & 2006 ML500
Update to the situation, apparently the previous owners had gone through 8 programming slots and I have to purchase the aam to a song of $4,600. I asked whether they could duplicate the RFID from the fried key I still have in possession and had a negative reply. Any ideas, other than scrapping the truck or swapping from the aam and keys from another junkyard truck?
Thanks
Thanks
That would mean that the service adviser had already checked that you were within the limit and therefore ordered the new key.
How is it now that you are over the limit? Something is wrong here. You are getting fleeced.
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1998 Ml 320, 1980 300sd
Yes unfortunately that is my suspicion. When I originally placed the order the rep told me that this issue might happen but that he did not have a way to check for it, and MB HQ would tell him whether or not the limit had been reached. Then delivery was appr. 3-4 days and kept pushing back delivery date, after 3 weeks they called me and told me about the situation, because that originally thought it was back ordered.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Bronx, N.Y.
2002 ML 320 & 2006 ML500
Yes unfortunately that is my suspicion. When I originally placed the order the rep told me that this issue might happen but that he did not have a way to check for it, and MB HQ would tell him whether or not the limit had been reached. Then delivery was appr. 3-4 days and kept pushing back delivery date, after 3 weeks they called me and told me about the situation, because that originally thought it was back ordered.
This is very hard to believe. Every rep. has a computer in front of him and he gain gain that information on your vehicle from what is called a VMI report. VMI is Vehicle Master Inquiry and it can tell you everything that was done to your vehicle by every dealer in the country.
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1998 Ml 320, 1980 300sd
Ok, I'll stop by the dealer to ask for the keys refund and inquire about the VMI. Could they delete the program slot for the key (damaged rfid) that I still have in my possession and order one to replace it?
Thanks guys for your responses.
Thanks guys for your responses.
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From: Bronx, N.Y.
2002 ML 320 & 2006 ML500
Sure you could, but if they are in a thieving mood, it's not going to happen.
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98 ml320
Hi guys. I am new to this forum but have been going through these key issues with my 98 ml320, and believe it or not I was able to go to an independent locksmith who has the hardware and software to make replacement keys. The problem was we only had one valet key, and all 8 aam slots were used up. He pulled the aam and a couple other parts from one that was being parted out, installed them in my car and suddenly I have the two chip keys that were with the car being parted out (he put the chips into after market keys he carries), and two more flip keys he made himself. He has made quite a few keys for dealers in our area who get a used car with only one key. I don't know where all you guys are, but this lock smith is in So Cal, but it he is doing this here there may be some in your neck of the woods...
Last edited by beartracker21; Dec 10, 2013 at 06:18 PM. Reason: typos
Newbie
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1998 Ml 320, 1980 300sd
Hi beartracker,
I am located in Puerto Rico. I'm currently looking for parted out MLs in junkyards and was thinking along he lines of an indie mechanic. I had not given any thought of finding a locksmith that could do the job. I'll add that to my list of options and keep you posted.
Great advice guys
I am located in Puerto Rico. I'm currently looking for parted out MLs in junkyards and was thinking along he lines of an indie mechanic. I had not given any thought of finding a locksmith that could do the job. I'll add that to my list of options and keep you posted.
Great advice guys
Member
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Toronto, Canada
CL550 & CL55 AMG
Stealership key robbery
There is a guy in Toronto, Canada who can create replacement keys but first he must electronically connect his "black box" to the vehicle to obtain the correct codes. McNally Motors has the contact info on this guy.
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2013
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1998 Ml 320, 1980 300sd
Thanks
