+1
when I bought my 87 SDL, I had 2 keys, one for the door and one for the ign (a W123 style key). This drove me insane having two keys to swap back and forth with all the time. I went to the dealer and showed my insurance card, no problem, they ordered me a key out of Dallas, I had a new tumbler with the OE Steel Key.

Last time when I bought my W124, they only had one key. Back to the dealer, he told me that his machine was down, and directed me to a local locksmith, and I told him I wanted a Steel blank, thats the only reason why I came to the dealer. He told me that he had Brass blanks too (Ilcos), but, If I could wait overnight, he can get me a steel key cut from Dallas and have it there by 10 AM.

Next day, I had the OE Mercedes steel key in hand, 25 bones later!

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91 350SD
14 F150 Eco
19 Fusion Hybrid
11 GT500

Having two different keys is insane!

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1981 240D
Click Here To See My Mercedes

When you order the new ign. tumbler from the dealer you will get the tumbler and a new key that will work in the doors, trunk, and glove box. Then you will have a spare key in case you misplace one. Or you can order a second key when you order the ign. tumbler. One key does it all. Except the valet key that won't open the trunk or the glove box.

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If it ain't broke take it apart and find out why.

1983 300SD, 4 speed
1994 C280
1987 300TD wagon
1996 HD Road King

Ride in Peace Eric Peterson, Harley of Macon

It is when you have 3 Mercedes, more annoying than anything else. But I dont keep my keys on a keychain or anything, so the tumbler is not constantly being pulled on. Its just annoying. Even the Big 3 eventually went to one key!

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91 350SD
14 F150 Eco
19 Fusion Hybrid
11 GT500

Where are you finding the listings for the new lock tumbler with a key?

The local dealer looked them up, and found only the tumbler, or key, separately.

That, and they wanted $100 for a tumbler alone, by the price listing in their computer. I know they pad prices, but I'm not paying $100 for a tumbler, and then another $60 for them to order in a key to match.

Thanks for any info, all.

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-Josh
Testing the cheap Mercedes axiom, one bolt at a time...

All this talk of new tumblers makes me wonder....Is it not possible to dismantle a tumbler and change the internal bits to make it work with a different key?

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1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags

My buddy's firebird has a key for the door, key for the ignition, key for the gas cap, and a key for the trunk

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1985 CA 300D Turbo , 213K mi

Just order the tumbler coded to your VIN, it will arrive with a new key. IF you cant get anywhere, send me a PM, I'll order you one out of here.

Not sure, probably more trouble than its worth....

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91 350SD
14 F150 Eco
19 Fusion Hybrid
11 GT500

The local dealers here want $47.00 to order me a key based on the vin and $175.00 for the tumbler and the key. I wish there was a dealer somewhere that would do this reasonably. I know most dealers don't want to be in the mail order business and I am sure MB might have something to say about that, but if there was a way to get vin keys and cylinders at a reasonable price there is a lot of business from this forum.

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1982 240D Euro Stick 4

So, this thread pretty much answered my newbie, first MB question. There should be ONE key that unlocks the doors AND turns in the ignition. At some point my ignition cylinder was swapped out and now I have a regular cut key to start it up and the flat edge steel key to unlock the doors.
I too would like to order a VIN encoded cylinder so I only need one key.

Here's a question:
Is pulling the cylinder out and screwing the new one in all it takes? That seems a little weird to me. The cylinder is so easy to get out. It seems like it would be too easy for a thief to pull it out and put in a cylinder that he has the key to and drive away in a stolen car. Is there more to it than this?

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1983 MB 300SD Turbo Diesel

You need the key to take the cylinder out.

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1982 240D Euro Stick 4

oh duh... forgot about that part.

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1983 MB 300SD Turbo Diesel

Found this on ebay if you still need it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-Key-Blank-For-Mercedes-Benz-124-w124-1984-1996_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ40016QQihZ002QQitemZ120071395527QQrdZ1

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1996 E300 D
1992 300D
1990 Ford E-350 7.3 Diesel AKA "the Deep Fryer"

When I was talking to the locksmith that made a spare for me, he said that they could definitely rekey the tumbler.

The main reason that I was at the locksmith was to get my door tumbler repaired, as some idiot had apparently tried to open it with a screwdriver.
The locksmith took it apart, replaced all the little plates that work like pins in your house lock, repaired the little weather door that was bent, lubed it, and happily charged me $60 for the lot.

Compared to the price I'm sure the dealer would have wanted, I'm happy. Heck, it seems to work smoother than the lock on my 2004 car!

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-Josh
Testing the cheap Mercedes axiom, one bolt at a time...

I went to the dealer today and asked about a new tumbler. I was quoted $100.00 for one,made to the VIN. I think I will order one later.

Thanks for your help!

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1981 240D
Click Here To See My Mercedes