Lost spare keyfob, Indy shop says they can program it?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 95
Likes: 26
2017 C300
Lost spare keyfob, Indy shop says they can program it?
Hi all,
Unfortunately, I lost my spare keyfob for my W205. I called around dealerships in the SoCal region and was quoted somewhere between $800-1200.
Obviously, nobody wants to pay that much for a key so I gave a call to a reputable Mercedes Indy shop here in SoCal. They are saying that they can do a new key for $475 with programming included.
They are highly rated and pretty reputable so I trust that its all legitimate. They were speaking about having to do paperwork and getting approval from Mercedes Corporate. The only downside is that it takes longer for them to get approval (likely because they're not a dealership). I called many other indy shops but they all said its a dealer only process.
The indy shop's quote is very enticing and I can live with paying $475, but I want to make sure its legit.
Question is whether anyone has any experience with getting a key replacement from an indy shop? Can any Mercedes tech chime in on whether this indy shop would have the capability to legitimately work with Mercedes corporate to get me a new key?
Thank you in advance.
Unfortunately, I lost my spare keyfob for my W205. I called around dealerships in the SoCal region and was quoted somewhere between $800-1200.
Obviously, nobody wants to pay that much for a key so I gave a call to a reputable Mercedes Indy shop here in SoCal. They are saying that they can do a new key for $475 with programming included.
They are highly rated and pretty reputable so I trust that its all legitimate. They were speaking about having to do paperwork and getting approval from Mercedes Corporate. The only downside is that it takes longer for them to get approval (likely because they're not a dealership). I called many other indy shops but they all said its a dealer only process.
The indy shop's quote is very enticing and I can live with paying $475, but I want to make sure its legit.
Question is whether anyone has any experience with getting a key replacement from an indy shop? Can any Mercedes tech chime in on whether this indy shop would have the capability to legitimately work with Mercedes corporate to get me a new key?
Thank you in advance.
Last edited by DYC300; Dec 31, 2025 at 07:08 PM.
Super Member
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 505
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From: Northern Indiana
2014 c300 w204.080 3.5 v6
Getting a new fob programmed is easy as long as you have one working key. Look on FB marketplace and you will find many people to program you a key.
Around here non emergency and you have a working key I can get a fob and programming for like 200$ and they come to the house and do it.
Or call a local locksmith and ask them. Most repair shops won't have fob programming ability unless they invest in it.
Now if you had no keys then yes you have to get the dealer involved but you should be good.
Around here non emergency and you have a working key I can get a fob and programming for like 200$ and they come to the house and do it.
Or call a local locksmith and ask them. Most repair shops won't have fob programming ability unless they invest in it.
Now if you had no keys then yes you have to get the dealer involved but you should be good.
Last edited by RobertR728; Dec 31, 2025 at 07:47 PM.
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From: US
Mercedes SL R231
Any Mercedes MY 2014 or newer can only be programmed by a dealer. I suspect the indy shop will say, “Oops! We can’t.” But for the price difference, I would give them a try. If it doesn’t work, don’t pay for it.
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From: Northern Indiana
2014 c300 w204.080 3.5 v6
I didn't know locals could only program up to year 2014. Ya learn something new everyday.
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From: US
Mercedes SL R231
If it is a bona fide Mercedes independent, they may pay whatever crazy subscription fee that allows them to do that, but I have never heard of an independent shop doing that. I once tried that with a licensed locksmith, drove over an hour to get there, and then the guy said “Oops. Can’t do it.” I would definitely call and ask again. You may have gotten someone at the shop that has seen a key programmed before and thinks they can do any car.
For anyone else, go to www.lastvin.com and enter your VIN. Then look for code J8A or some line that has “FBS4”. If you find that, then you have the updated security system.
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2021
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2017 C300
It is a shop that specializes in Mercedes. I'll update this post next week when I have an update.
FYI, I looked up my VIN but I actually don't have the J8A code of FBS4 mentioned at all. It is a 2017 C300 built in the USA.
FYI, I looked up my VIN but I actually don't have the J8A code of FBS4 mentioned at all. It is a 2017 C300 built in the USA.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2021
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2017 C300
Coming back with an update:
I called the indy shop to double check if they can indeed get a new key from me from Mercedes corporate. Initially, they said they could for my vehicle. But I questioned why I keep hearing that it is a dealer only service. Eventually, the shop contacted someone he knew from the dealership. He later confirmed that it is indeed a dealership only service.
I didn't confirm what the cutoff date is, but it seems like FS4 keys (latest gen) are dealership only. Older keys may be a toss up, however.
On the flip side, I found my spare key so I don't have to spend $900 at the dealership anymore!
I called the indy shop to double check if they can indeed get a new key from me from Mercedes corporate. Initially, they said they could for my vehicle. But I questioned why I keep hearing that it is a dealer only service. Eventually, the shop contacted someone he knew from the dealership. He later confirmed that it is indeed a dealership only service.
I didn't confirm what the cutoff date is, but it seems like FS4 keys (latest gen) are dealership only. Older keys may be a toss up, however.
On the flip side, I found my spare key so I don't have to spend $900 at the dealership anymore!
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Mercedes SL R231
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2014 E550 4matic 180k Mi
For those looking at this thread at a much later date. Here is another thread within MBW that discusses the KeyFob situation.
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...placement.html
The OP (post #13) ultimately discovers that he was told Yes, then the answer was No.
What matters:
-An official US MB Dealer should be able to solve your key issue. There are exceptions, but these are exceptions.
-Many questions attempt to use an independent shop. Possible, sometimes successful, but not guaranteed. When you read these threads.....
-Is the internal chassis code of the Poster the same as yours?
-Is the Model Year of the Poster the same as yours?
-is the Country of original sale, the same as yours?
-How many keys did the OP start with?
-What did the OP 'REPORT' as a success? Did they receive a non-KeylessGo Fob that can manually open and start a KeylessGo MB, and he is fine with that because it is a second key?
-Push-start vs non-push-start
Like MB security, it is not simple....... otherwise the Kia Boyz would not be buzy with, uuhh, Kia's.
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...placement.html
The OP (post #13) ultimately discovers that he was told Yes, then the answer was No.
What matters:
-An official US MB Dealer should be able to solve your key issue. There are exceptions, but these are exceptions.
-Many questions attempt to use an independent shop. Possible, sometimes successful, but not guaranteed. When you read these threads.....
-Is the internal chassis code of the Poster the same as yours?
-Is the Model Year of the Poster the same as yours?
-is the Country of original sale, the same as yours?
-How many keys did the OP start with?
-What did the OP 'REPORT' as a success? Did they receive a non-KeylessGo Fob that can manually open and start a KeylessGo MB, and he is fine with that because it is a second key?
-Push-start vs non-push-start
Like MB security, it is not simple....... otherwise the Kia Boyz would not be buzy with, uuhh, Kia's.
