S.Lazz

UPDATE: After an exhaustive search I finally located a guy that will duplicate a key fob for $200. I had to bring one fully functioning key fob for it to work. The only feature missing is the panic button on the fob. My car is a 2001 SL but if you give this guy a call he might be able to duplicate older key fobs. Good luck to those in need.

Here's the link to this guy's website: https://www.lacartech.com/products/w...ksmith-service

pjacobs55

Thanks for sharing. Let us know how it all works out!

lemonner

Hello Ahmed,
would your Mercedes dealer send keys to Canada ?

I asked MB Canada and they told me to contact them at the end of 2021...they told me the same for 2020...;-))

Thank you.
Eric

lemonner

Hello to all,

Ahmed didn’t response but I went to lacartech.com and ordered 2 keys fobs...and they work perfectly...I have a Mercedes SL500 Sport 1999..
So if you need one....they can do it.....for 199$ Per key ...;-)

SL5004AJ

Yes. Ask for Paul. I went to see him today as I’m local. Nice guy, friendly and very helpful. I had him recode one of my keys (remote) that wasn’t working and transferred a blade to a new remote. Feels like I have a new car! Tell him what problems you have with your key, he’ll be able to fix it. My car is MY99 SL500. Again his website is LACarTech.com

Ahmed

Hi there, sorry for not responding as I was travelling and got back a few days ago.
I'm glad you got your key FOB sorted.

I did indeed call up my dealer here and they informed me they are authorised to order keys for

1. Cars ordered by them here in Bahrain
2. Cars currently owned by Bahrain residents.

lemonner

Hello Ahmed,

thank you for the informations.
Have a nice day.

FATHERTIME

HATS OFF to S.LAZZ I got my key two days ago same day.

sushipaste

People down below who got keys from this guy have the panic button.... Did he give you and explanation as to why your key didn't get a PANIC button?

FATHERTIME

They have a non working panic button>

SL5004AJ

My panic button works. The lights flash on and off, I’m assuming the horn should go off too, but I’m ok with that.

FATHERTIME

I gotta take that back it does work I just didn't push it hard enough

Ahmed

Brilliant, congrats!

hanscan

Hey guys,
The keys are model year specific, 1999-2001 you are lucky and have a better chance of success.
The older models have infra red some have the receiver under the rear view mirror. Later cars have the ring around the ignition lock.
My surprise is that you 'bhesse' got so lucky. My dealer still says NLA, but supplied a mechanical Key with the # vin number.
MB Canada told me not until Q4 2020, but still not answering my e-mail.
Some MY. ML SUV have the same problems.
No reply in German from MB Stuttgard.
I must be massocistic
Greetings from Kamloops

Ahmed

Keep bugging them, don't be shy. Persistence pays off.

GybeR71

@kst41510 Did you get your keys? I bought my 95 SL6 last summer and somehow managed to hold onto my ONE key so far. Need to order a few but not sure of the process.

Paul McCartney

IR Keys are also available.
The infomration you provided appeares to be absolutely correct, however, I can easily make a "valet" key for you, and it will take me about 2 hours, but I can sure get you a fully functioning 1 button IR key. You may call me at 936.666.6650

Paul McCartney

Hey guys,
I was happy to assist some of you with your keys. I decided to jump on this forum and hopefully provide some information which may be useful for you. Not only I duplicate the 4 button keys, but I can sure help you if all of your keys are lost. The procedure is just a bit different from duplicating, but I have a technology to successfully make it happen. Electronically, those keys are the same as SLK, Crossfire, W140, and pretty much any flip key Mercedes after 1997, so I do cover all of those.
As noted, in 1997 Mercedes switched to those 4 button keys, while older cars have a 1 button (IR key). There are 2 type of those IR keys as well, newer vehicles would have a plastic ring around the ignition, while older would not. It is actually easier for me to make you a valet key for any of those IR models (1997 and older). It is a bit more complicated to make you a fully functioning remote, but I sure can do it.
Now bad news, due to an increase in the price of my suppliers, I can no longer make a key at $200 and am actually raising the price but not by much. ($200 was never an option for the IR key). On the valet key for pre-1997, the price is $150 considering that you have not already ran through the maximum of 8 replacement keys on your vehicle allowed by the dealer.
You are welcome to call me during business hours at 936.666.6650, I respond to text messages in the order they received.

julianray

Just joined the forum searching for knowledge/help.

Have a 2001 SL 500, both key fobs have broken and are now held together with tape. I tried an amazon replaced key fob shell which didn't work and now that key wont start the car in either shell so am not going to try doing it with the other one for obvious reasons.

Went to the dealer and was told they no longer sell keys for that year.

Given that I have two keys and 1 working fob what is the best option to get 2 key fobs that work?

Paul McCartney

I know exactly what is going on with your vehicle. If you want you can mail/bring all the key parts you have left and I will return 2 brand new keys to you (I may use your blades) cost is 350 for both.
A Alternatively, you may try to look for a micro chip which was inside of the replaced key and apperantly did not get transferred into the new key - that is the heart of the problem.

SigKev

I wanted to give a quick review of LA Car Tech. I have a 1998 SL500 with only one key (one of my kids lost the second key) and plan on keeping this car for a long time. I exchanged text messages with LACT and they were quick to respond and easy to deal with. With great hesitation, I boxed up my only key (I live in Tennessee) and sent it to them. They programmed two new Mercedes keys for me and had it back in 2 days after receipt.

I find it unbelievable that Mercedes refuses to support R129s (and other models) by supplying keys. But honestly, with the speed and accuracy of service from LA Car Tech, I probably received better service that I would from my local dealer.

Both keys worked exactly as the original. They lock the car, unlock it, start it. Everything as advertised!

I would not hesitate working with them in the future and strongly recommend them to anyone that needs spare keys for their unsupported Mercedes.

Insbroker

What kind of cost are you talking. Thanks.

SigKev

It is $350 per key, which is exactly what I paid recently for a spare key for my wife's Tacoma TRD Pro from a local vendor (dealer was more).

qwojtus

Im letting you all guys know I have found the company in London who making old mercedes flip out keys.
They made one for my R129 .It took literally half an hour to get new remote fob. If anyone wants cheaper then possible only make only transponder key. Whole job while you wait.
They say that they able to make any mercedes key even one button infra red.
This is good news because we could not find any dealer who still selling keys for that. I was thinking to scrap the car if I lose the last one.

Xfireracer

I'll be in London next month. Could you share the information on the company that does the job? I just want the shell for my keys replaced since they are quite worn.