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Back story -- I purchased my 2013 SL550 in September. Unfortunately, it only came with one key. No big deal, right? I've had to get new key fobs for Beamers I owned. They weren't cheap, but the price didn't give me a heart attack.
Today -- I called several (5) local MBZ dealerships to get a quote for a new key. Oh my God. I almost died. The best price I could find was $432 for the fob + $133 for the "blade" (I'm assuming that's the metal key in the fob) + $270 to program it. $887 with tax, and I have to drive the car to them (50 miles each way). I asked if I could send them a photo of the VIN from the door of the car and a copy of my registration, but No. They need to see the actual car. I was told that's in case I'm trying to steal an ex-spouses car. Really??? My name is the only one on the registration, and if I was going to steal my own car, that's between me and the police, not MBZ.
I come from a technology background. I've build high tech hardware and done my share of programming. The fob couldn't cost MBZ more the $25 in parts. The metal key shouldn't be more then $50 (just a key blank and few minutes to cut it). The "programming fee" really threw me for a loop. Programming is a fairly simply and quick process. Plug the key into the programming device, enter the VIN, push "Go", wait a couple of minutes. How does that equate to $270?
I know we're all paying for the privilege of driving an SL, but does MBZ think we're stupid?
I think I'll just get a $25 Apple Air Tag and be done with it.
Ok. I'll get off of my soap box now...
Last edited by Ozzie-95037; Oct 28, 2024 at 03:07 PM.
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
A couple of things. Up through model year 2014, an independent locksmith could program your fob. Beginning in 2015, you MUST go to a dealer because of the changed security protocol they use. Since you have a 2013, you might also be able to get a genuine unused fob (must be unused/unprogrammed) and have the locksmith do it for you.
The blank blades can be purchased separately and cheaper than the dealer. A locksmith with a laser cut machine can make a copy for you. You do NOT need the blade key to use the fob.
I have purchase from NorthCoastKeyless but found out later that an independent locksmith was unable to program the fob because I have a 2015. They are currently out of stock, so you may want to get on their mailing list.
The cost to replace my lost key fob was $650 at the dealer, but I had gotten my own blade and had it cut for $50 elsewhere.
I learned that dealers usually have fobs in stock but cannot cut new blades. Instead, they order a blade already cut from Mercedes and can have it in a couple of days.
You may want to invest in some AirTags or Tile devices and attach them to all of your keys.
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Originally Posted by Ozzie-95037
...The fob couldn't cost MBZ more the $25 in parts. The metal key shouldn't be more then $50 (just a key blank and few minutes to cut it). The "programming fee" really threw me for a loop. Programming is a fairly simply and quick process. Plug the key into the programming device, enter the VIN, push "Go", wait a couple of minutes. How does that equate to $270?
That's actually not correct. To add a new key to the car, all existing keys need to be deleted and added again. It's a security thing so that someone who finds or has the missing key can't use it to steal the car. In the control module, there are 8 assignment slots for keys and I don't think they are reusable, though I'm not sure. @crconsulting probably knows for sure. It takes about an hour for a technician to program all the keys, and what I've seen lately, dealer labor prices are obscene in California. $270 may be for an hour's labor.
A couple of things. Up through model year 2014, an independent locksmith could program your fob. Beginning in 2015, you MUST go to a dealer because of the changed security protocol they use. Since you have a 2013, you might also be able to get a genuine unused fob (must be unused/unprogrammed) and have the locksmith do it for you.
I have purchase from NorthCoastKeyless but found out later that an independent locksmith was unable to program the fob because I have a 2015. They are currently out of stock, so you may want to get on their mailing list.
Thanks for the info. NorthCoastKeyless only wants $100, but you're right, they're out of stock. I'm on the waiting list. Hope it comes in soon. Any idea what it will cost to get the fob programmed? I don't need the blade, but thought is was crazy that MBZ wants $133 for a simple metal key. Too bad our government doesn't have an agency to stop companies from price gouging.
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
On their website they do show locksmiths that should be able to, but you do need to call and confirm. The problem is, you may not find one and end up going to the dealer like I did. But there was no way I was going to have only one key. Especially since I had already lost one.
Because they can be. They charge whatever they want and there is nothing we can do about it. It should be criminal to sell a key for $400, $500 or more. That’s a car payment.
I had a CLK 430 in the past and dropped my key in a bucket of oil. A replacement key was like $300 and that was round 12 years ago.
Originally Posted by Ozzie-95037
Back story -- I purchased my 2013 SL550 in September. Unfortunately, it only came with one key. No big deal, right? I've had to get new key fobs for Beamers I owned. They weren't cheap, but the price didn't give me a heart attack.
Today -- I called several (5) local MBZ dealerships to get a quote for a new key. Oh my God. I almost died. The best price I could find was $432 for the fob + $133 for the "blade" (I'm assuming that's the metal key in the fob) + $270 to program it. $887 with tax, and I have to drive the car to them (50 miles each way). I asked if I could send them a photo of the VIN from the door of the car and a copy of my registration, but No. They need to see the actual car. I was told that's in case I'm trying to steal an ex-spouses car. Really??? My name is the only one on the registration, and if I was going to steal my own car, that's between me and the police, not MBZ.
I come from a technology background. I've build high tech hardware and done my share of programming. The fob couldn't cost MBZ more the $25 in parts. The metal key shouldn't be more then $50 (just a key blank and few minutes to cut it). The "programming fee" really threw me for a loop. Programming is a fairly simply and quick process. Plug the key into the programming device, enter the VIN, push "Go", wait a couple of minutes. How does that equate to $270?
I know we're all paying for the privilege of driving an SL, but does MBZ think we're stupid?
I think I'll just get a $25 Apple Air Tag and be done with it.
Ok. I'll get off of my soap box now...
Last edited by ThatsMyDawg; Oct 29, 2024 at 09:16 AM.
...Up through model year 2014, an independent locksmith could program your fob. Beginning in 2015, you MUST go to a dealer because of the changed security protocol they use. Since you have a 2013, you might also be able to get a genuine unused fob (must be unused/unprogrammed) and have the locksmith do it for you...
That's news to me. I've been on this forum for 20+ years, starting with my 2000 C280 Sport. Back then the most common posts here were about keys, and the most common advice was not to buy a used key. I know you say to buy an UNused fob but back then that was a dealer-only item. The one key I ever purchased was for a 2009 CLK550 and I got it from a dealer about 50 miles away via email, providing a copy of my Massachusetts registration. It was 2013 and I still have the quote: "The price for the keyless go key is $280.00 for the electronic part and $22.50 for the emergency key. I could give you Reynolds Auto Sales price it would be $224.00 for the electronic part & $18.50 for the emergency key." Reynolds was a used car dealer I had befriended when I bought a Toyota from him years before; the "emergency key" was the metal blade. Oh, and now driving my 13th Mercedes I've never lost a key! (knock wood!)
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Originally Posted by eddieo45
That's news to me. I've been on this forum for 20+ years, starting with my 2000 C280 Sport. Back then the most common posts here were about keys, and the most common advice was not to buy a used key. I know you say to buy an UNused fob but back then that was a dealer-only item. The one key I ever purchased was for a 2009 CLK550 and I got it from a dealer about 50 miles away via email, providing a copy of my Massachusetts registration. It was 2013 and I still have the quote: "The price for the keyless go key is $280.00 for the electronic part and $22.50 for the emergency key. I could give you Reynolds Auto Sales price it would be $224.00 for the electronic part & $18.50 for the emergency key." Reynolds was a used car dealer I had befriended when I bought a Toyota from him years before; the "emergency key" was the metal blade. Oh, and now driving my 13th Mercedes I've never lost a key! (knock wood!)
THIS THREAD is a great example of what I'm talking about; search the forums for "ebay keys" and you'll find hundreds more. The key fobs have always required the VIN to order, as they come programmed for that one car. After the 8th key you can't get another, so if you lose 8 keys (or if a succession of owners collectively lose 8 keys) the locks and ignition must be replaced.
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Originally Posted by eddieo45
The part I quoted and bolded:
THIS THREAD is a great example of what I'm talking about; search the forums for "ebay keys" and you'll find hundreds more. The key fobs have always required the VIN to order, as they come programmed for that one car. After the 8th key you can't get another, so if you lose 8 keys (or if a succession of owners collectively lose 8 keys) the locks and ignition must be replaced.
Not anymore. While you do need to provide proof of ownership to have key fobs programmed, the fobs are not pre-programmed. The dealership may have several in stock which are programmed when needed, but they are not ordered pre-programmed. The emergency metal key does need to be ordered and it comes cut from the Mercedes distribution center (or wherever the dealer gets parts), but the fob is unprogrammed until the dealer pulls it from their inventory. I confirmed with a couple of locksmiths that they can program model year 2014 and older, but not beginning with MY 2015.
Best solution is a tactical gear pouch such as https://www.orcatacticalgear.com/col...rganizer-black that holds your key fob, phone and wallet all in one place. This way, you're able to lose everything that's critical all at once. You avoid expensive key fob replacement by shooting youself.
Not anymore. While you do need to provide proof of ownership to have key fobs programmed, the fobs are not pre-programmed. The dealership may have several in stock which are programmed when needed, but they are not ordered pre-programmed. The emergency metal key does need to be ordered and it comes cut from the Mercedes distribution center (or wherever the dealer gets parts), but the fob is unprogrammed until the dealer pulls it from their inventory. I confirmed with a couple of locksmiths that they can program model year 2014 and older, but not beginning with MY 2015.
Makes perfect sense given that all four MBs in my family fleet are 2015+!
Originally Posted by streborx
Best solution is a tactical gear pouch such as https://www.orcatacticalgear.com/col...rganizer-black that holds your key fob, phone and wallet all in one place. This way, you're able to lose everything that's critical all at once. You avoid expensive key fob replacement by shooting youself.
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
When you get a replacement key, the lost/missing key is disabled and cannot be used if you find it. That is to ensure that no one can use it to steal your car should they have it. (My key was lost at the county landfill when I hauled off some yard cuttings. I know because I had a Tile device on my keyring and last location was the landfill.) When a new key is added, all available keys must be present. Not sure exactly why unless the technician needs to identify the missing key.
I recently had a loaner from MB and there was a tag on the key fob saying $950 if lost.
This is what I've done too. All my fobs are in leather cases. On the fobs inside I have stickers with my phone number and reward offer. Not $950, but enough to motivate a finder (except for the landfill rats).
After being on the list for 3 months, I finally got the replacement fob from North Coast Keyless today. I have an appointment with my Mercedes dealer to get the fob programmed on Saturday. The fob from NC Keyless only cost $94.94 delivered (including the uncut key blank), and it is brand new. I'll update this post if the dealer gives me any grief for not purchasing the fob from them.
Last edited by Ozzie-95037; Feb 11, 2025 at 06:07 PM.
Okay, a lot of great suggestions for keeping your keys in your possession, or at least accessible at all times. Did someone recap everything?
With a good recap, including the body piercing, we can put together an all in 1 solution.
This is what I've done too. All my fobs are in leather cases. On the fobs inside I have stickers with my phone number and reward offer. Not $950, but enough to motivate a finder (except for the landfill rats).
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Originally Posted by Ozzie-95037
After being on the list for 3 months, I finally got the replacement fob from North Coast Keyless today. I have an appointment with my Mercedes dealer to get the fob programmed on Saturday. The fob from NC Keyless only cost $94.94 delivered (including the uncut key blank), and it is brand new. I'll update this post if the dealer gives me any grief for not purchasing the fob from them.
If your dealer says they can't program your provided fob (can't or won't), try to find a locksmith that will do it. In 2014 was the last model year that an independent locksmith could program the key (or at least that's what I was told). Since you have a 2013, a locksmith should be able to do it as long as they have a key programmer.
I recently purchased a used 2013 r231 and it only came with one key. Thinking to myself, how much can a new key cost, $300 - $400 max... Boy was I wrong. I've been doing a lot of research and turns out my car even though it is a 2013, it's fbs4 and not fbs3. Only dealers are able to program fbs4 fobs or very specialized shops that have $40K subscription-based tool like the dealer. Best way to tell if your car is fbs4 or fbs3 is to run your VIN on Mercedes VIN Decoder | Free Mercedes-Benz VIN Lookup Tool - MBDecoder and look for SA Code 803 or 804. If your car has 803 or 804 then you have fbs4 which means you are SOL like me. I did find a shop that claims they have a dealer tool and is able to program fbs4 fobs, but they are located near San Diego, CA.
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