My 85 300SD has peculiar keys that I am told, can only be obtained from the dealer for big $$$ bucks. Is there any place that can cut these keys or some cheaper alternative to the dealer?

You'll have to get them from a dealer, unless you can find a locksmith that has the equipment for laser cut keys...

cheaper alternatives are copying a key by cutting a brass one, that is what locksmiths will do.
If the original is worn (as it probably is) you then wind up with a worn original from the start, then when it wears a little more it will suddenly get flaky or quit working. My brother is a locksmith and will not copy a Mercedes key (or other high end laser cut keys) says its a waste of his time because they usually come back or fail to work initially.
Factory keys are about $30 ea and are made of a steel alloy and code cut using a computer. You usually have to supply a copy of your drivers license and the pink slip to get the dealer to order for you, but after that you will have the best thing available and it should last you 15 or 20 years, so hey that's not much on a day to day basis, is it?

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'95 E320 Wagon my favorite road car. '99 E300D wolf in sheeps body, '87 300D Sportline suspension, '79 300TD w/ 617.952 engine at 367,750 and counting!

My '81 SD key was $17 and '85 300D key was $26 at Jackson Automotive Group in Macon, GA. Seems like the laser cut SD key would have been more than the regular notched key for the 300D.

Stay with steel keys. The brass copies lead to early ignition switch failure.

RP

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Rick
Avid Benz watcher

Previously owned 126's: 2 1981 300SD's, 1987 300SDL, 1991 350SDL,
Previously owned 123's: 1978 300D, 1983 240D, 1985 300D
Previously owned 124: 1994 320TE

Currently:
2004 Toyota Sequoia SR5 206k
2010 Ford Edge 122k
Always looking for the next MB diesel!

I had a set of mercedes keys made some time ago through my independent mechanic, he called the dealer and order it at a discount. The dealer quote me a price way higher than what my indy got it for.

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benzino

$25 for a copy at the dealership... and you get it in 2 days.

I got a new key from the dealership ($25) a while back and the plastic part broke after a few uses. I have to wonder if they are using cheap crappy blanks now.

yeah right. i tried for 2 weeks and had to make two 30 mile trips to find out the key was too long. they were dumb founded or is it dumb that it didn't fit even though it was longer than the key i made an outline for to use as a template(no fax??) i found a locksmith who made 4 steel keys for me for about 6 bucks.

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currently
[1981 300 td tdidi 165500 dark brown/palamino-Brownie-mine-3k miles of ownership
1983 240d 162+++ Anthricite grey w/ henna red interior and hella lights-wifes car-Red

the above two cars are for sale
and can be seen on the cars for sale thread here. pix also available.


240d-144+ Manilla Yellow w/ palmino interior-greasecar kit-Blondie-the college kids car

23" gt 21 speed still on original tires-still got the nubs
21" khs tandem