Milkman1

I went to Mercedes dealership for replacement key for my 97 SL320. lost my keys, but dealership says sorry, Mercedes no longer makes a replacement key for this car, What???????? Does anyone know what I can do?
Can anyone help?
Thanks
Charles

thealien

Sorry to say but you just found out the same bad news I and others have found over the last few months. I am told they are on backorder but nobody knows IF or when they will ever get more. I only have one key and am worried and concerned I will have a 4000 pound paperweight sometime in the future.


From what I know the DAS stores up to 8 unique key slots. Any time any key is used it reads a code and sets another random code. There is an induction coil at the switch that performs the read and write to the key. Now 1997 is kind of a unique year as it was the first to use the security keys. 1996 and down don't have security.


Sorry I don't have an answer for you but contact your local dealer MB corporate and anyone else you can talk to. They are not in a hurry to fix this. If enough of us make noise "MAYBE" they will come up with a solution?


Good luck and maybe someone will come along and say I am wrong and have a solution for you.

Johntie

I too am one of the suckers who found out there are no new keys available for '97 SL or S class cars. Very unhappy about Mercedes support here.

thealien

What state do you live in? Some locksmiths can make keys $250-500 for a flat key that will start your car. There was a post about a locksmith that does work for auctions that can even do a fob/key for $480 but you have to send a non chopped key and either the DAS or ECM but you have to send it to a middle man, no thanks.

Supposedly there is a company that can disable the DAS but I don't have confirmation.

All is not lost, you can get a key made.

Johntie

Thanks. I called the Classic Center in Irvine and the guys told me MBUSA asked them to give out the Customer Assistance phone number 800-367-6372 to let them know who is looking for the replacement keys. Supposedly, MB is trying to find another vendor who can produce keys. When available, they will contact those on some list requesting keys. Who knows???

MBDN

On Fri Jan 17, 2020 MBZ corp released an email stating the following:Below are the Model and year range for which a limited amount of key parts have become available.
(NOTE: 1997 Models years are NOT included)

•  
  • 1996 S & SL Class Vehicles- Part # BQ4760032

•  
  • 1998-1999 S Class and 1998-2002 SL Class Vehicles- Part # BQ4760025

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
(800)367-6372

SL Dan we heard

Keys for 1997 SL models and S models excuse me. It surprises me that all the owners of these model cars in this year have not created the class lawsuit against Mercedes it's. Mercedes was fully aware that the security system was a problem and that's why they changed it after 1997. They're comment that they're looking for a new vendor doesn't hold any water there were so many vendors out there that could have been producing these keys.

Ahmed

It's even worse now with the pandemic and supply chain issues.
I was one of the lucky ones, after 2 years of hammering my dealer, I got one.