mjr24

I had this key awhile ago when I had my SL500....but forgot where I got it. What is the best place online to buy one? I see a few on Ebay but not sure if some are knockoffs or (Hong Kong sellers)?

Thanks.

Sher Judge

Your MB Dealer only. As far as I know. Or just the chrome shells, unless your MB Dealer, they will be your (Honk Kong) Fong Kong units!

LukasBMW

There was someone here selling the new chrome keys. He also had instructions posted on how to swap the circuit board out of your old black triangle key into the new chrome key to make it work.

I believe you can also find em on eBay.

kamilclk430

Let me know if you find a good vendor for this I'm interested in it as well

jgoode

Anyone know where to find the thread LukasBMW mentioned?

Sharkster

That would be VERY interesting for me as well. I've swapped the keys (have the new chrome key now), but the circuits from the new key don't work with the older Keyless-Go system. So, I would love to re-implant the old circuits into the chrome case...

LukasBMW

I tried to find it myself...I couldn't locate it. I will try harder when I have more time.

lkirchner

Look at this tread from the 220/221 forum:
https://mbworld.org/forums/new-s-cla...e-version.html

Sharkster

This pic:


...shows that the circuits of the old plastic key are wider than the newer ones. So, I guess we can forget about a circuit-swap.

LukasBMW

The link to the thread on benzworld.org is the thread I had in mind. No wonder I could not find it here. LOL.

The board/chip swap seems straightforward but the fact that it will not work with keyless go sucks. Perhaps if you buy a used key off of ebay ($60-ish) swap your board into the ebay key, and then take the ebay key into your dealer to have them program it for keyless go ($120 - 1 hour labor) it will work.

But now your investment is $180.00 and it may not work. It might be better just trying to order a new chrome key already programed for your car.

Can you just go to the dealer, tell them you have a 2003-2006 with keyless go, and order a newer chome key? I'd rather just pay the extra money and avoid the hassles.

Sharkster

Nope, doesn't work. The new board cannot be configured to work with the old Keyless-Go. The only chance would be a straight board swap... but, since the new board is not as wide as the old one... this won't work neither.

LukasBMW

...and that also must mean that ordering a new chrome key from the dealer and asking them to program also won't work...since like you said...the new board cannot be configured to work with the old keyless go.

Damn!

Do we know why the new board won't work with the older keyless go system? There must be some kind of hack. It's only electronics.

alx

if you know what is involved in programming a key- you would take your business to the dealer and trust them 100% with that particular affair even if it seems like a total ripoff.

m_berman

When I bought my 06 CLS 55 from the dealer, he had only 1 key fob, which was the stock black plastic. He order me the 2nd set, and it was the new chrome type. This was in 2007 when the chrome ones became available.

LukasBMW

Is your car keyless go?

alx

not possible i've been told by the guy at the local mb dealer that does the programming

migg48

I guess I am in the dark. When I bought my 2005 early this year it came with two keys: one black and one chrome. I assumed they all came with a chrome key.

LukasBMW

Do you have keyless go in your SL55? If you do, does the chrome key work with keyless go?

migg48

No, ironically, my car has all options except keyless go and ventilated seats.

m_berman

Yes

alx

I take my words back. I was told by the dealer that they now issue only the chrome keys for all cars. Keyless go or not. So it appears that chrome keys are replacement for all black plastic keys.

One more thing. Even if you can reprogram your key you lose the mechanical key as you cannot transplant it from the plastic black key shell and only a dealer can cut the mechanical key from a blank.

mptolomey

I just ordered a new key from my dealer and recieved a chrome key with a new mechanical key.

LukasBMW

More news on this:

I spoke to the "penske" (aka corporate) dealer today and the parts guy told me that he can order chrome keys for all "older" R230 SL's, but the chrome keys are NOT keyless go keys. Older R230's with keyless go can either get a chrome key WITHOUT the keyless go function or a stock (black triangle) key with keyless go.

I then spoke to the friendlier family owned Benz dealer and was told the same. However, this dealer did mention that he had just ordered a replacement keyless go key for an older model (he could not recall which one) and got a chrome key. He said at first he thought he had gotten the wrong key, but it turned out the replacement chrome key did have the keyless go function.

I really wish the parts guy could remember what type of car had gotten the newer chrome key with key-less function. It might help shed light on this debate.

I'm going to talk to the "BIG" dealer tomorrow and see what they say.

NEMES1S

updates?

Thericker

I've ordered 1 of new style chrm keys, my SL has Keyless, the integral part u guys are missing to integrate Keyless into new chrm key is this..

You have to get your mb tech to hook up StarDiag to OBII port & program it for Keyless functionality (they have done dozens here @ my local dealr) You also need to present them your CA DL copy & copy of current vehicle Reg.. I'll post pix etc when it comes in etc..