Is a new key only available from the dealer or can I but a key online and have it paired to my car?

Thank You for advice,

Best Regards,

Tom

Dealer only - probably looking at around $350.

Plus another 1-2 hours with the car to program it.
Pay to play, right?

Those keys should come fully programmed already, but yes, dealer only.

I was surprised the parts guy said that?

What?

All DAS2/3 keys come programmed already for the car. The newest DAS4 keys in the current gen cars, can come blank and be programmed on site but this requires a valid working key and a properly permissioned user at the dealership. If you have a DAS 4 car and lose all your keys we still have to custom order a pre-programmed one from Lock & Key center and it will come ready to work in the car fresh out of the package, but we have to fill out forms and open a request for the key explaining why we can't get a blank to program.

He said the key would work normally, but for it to work with the keyless go it would need to be programmed to the car after I proved I was the owner.
this is my first benz so I'm still learning.