Spare Keys - Got taken today
 

Found a locksmith in Absecon NJ today that advertised Mercedes Keys. Boy did I get taken. Should have asked first what the cost was and in my wildest dreams I would have never thought. He rang up $60 for each key.
Now i could have walked away but i did not ask first and it was my own stupidity.
After I left I called the local mercedes dealership in Pleasantville NJ and was quoted $25 each and they would take approx. 2 days.
So if anyone is going to this particular locksmith I suggest you ask first.

Wow, I got a spare key (which I promptly lost) for my 240D for $15. I showed up at the dealership in my work uniform from Pick N Pull and they gave me a discount.

i went to a local security and lock business and got spare keys for $3 each. they're made by ilco, not mercedes, but they are the same design with the plastic piece with the hole in the middle. they work great but they're not authentic. is that something people care about?

ilco keys are brass, and leave shavings in the lock.
O.E. keys are steel. they do not wear, and they are MUCH stronger.
not to mention, the O.E. keys are vin matched to the vehicle, and as such are perfect from the factory, not a copy from an old key.

I have a spare brass key . . . but don't use it! In an emergancy it could be used . . . it came with the car . . .

In the absence of a nearby dealer, does anyone know if you can order spares from a dealer over the phone using the vin?

I don't think there's a dealer left that doesn't require proof of ownership (e.g., title or registration card and matching driver license) before selling you a key.

Sixto
87 300D

I have one that is pretty worn.

When I ordered a VIN-matched key, it might have been perfect in its own right. But it didn't come close to fitting my locks. The dealer said that was not an uncommon problem, nor was it solvable.

I have one that's pretty worn as well, but it's probably the original for a car that has well over 300,000 miles on it. I'm still using a brass key (I know, I know) on my other car with much fewer miles, and guess which one is worn worse.

Flash
 

They(The dealers) are required to have you present:
1.The Vehicle
2.The Registration showing YOU as the Owner [Or a Power of Attorney].
3.YOU [Or Your Agent with power of Attorney].

To Pick Up;
1.Key(s)
2.Lock Devices
3.Electronic Lock Devices (Includes Infrared and RF)

The Factory Wants Them(The Dealers) to fit the key to the lock of Said Mercedes with the Owner (Or His/Her Legal Agent) Present.

I don't know if all the security requirements are mandated for "Ordering".

I paid like 23 bucks only to find out it's not even close to fitting, especially length wise:mad: O well im using my trusty IlCo brass key:eek:

False. All I needed was proof of ownership and $25. Came back the next day to pick it up.

I've gotten lucky so far. I would think though, these cars arent' getting any younger, and unless you are the original owner, you wouldn't know if someone changed the locks, or something like that.

Go to an Oreilly's or a Murray's where they use the Axxezz key system, it's # 31 or # 41, depending on the key you want-- full service or valet.

I got an ilco key cut from a relatively unused original and it works great...I wish the MB keys had the metal running through the black part of the key too. I use one of three steel keys normally though. An original and two MB steel keys. The original fits better than the newer ones and I don't think it has a thing to do wear. I think that it was cut with more precision.

EDIT: my dealer charged 15/key

I feel like I got taken too. $36 for the master key from the dealer.

My original "steel" master key is pretty worn and looks it.

All they asked to see was the insurance card and my Drivers License.

While I agree that you should have asked first I find $60 per key to be outrageous and I am wondering if maybe, just maybe, they didn't take advantage of you because you didn't ask first. Here's a test. wait a few days and send a friend in with your old key and ask how much a copy would be. If the price is lower than $60 demand a refund for the ones they charged you $60 a piece for. I have never heard of them costing that much, ever. Was it a steel key they cut or just a "run of the mill" $2 brass blank?

I have ordered many keys from dealers for many of my old cars and most of the time they are around $20 or less. I think the only exception was a set for a really old (W111) which was in the high 20's per key. Normally keys from locksmiths are much cheaper than those from the dealer.

I will give you his number. If you can call and find out let me know.

307 W Absecon Blvd
Absecon, NJ 08201-2439
(609) 833-9148

I would be curious!!

I guess if you look around you can find one who doesn't follow all the rules. I bought a new key for my 98 E300, which uses the electronic key, over the phone and net. I called to inquire, they told me to fax/send/email them a copy of my DL and the cars registration. About 5 days and $130 later I had my new key.

The dealership was in Gainesville FL (I think, I can't remember the name) they offer discounted parts also.

My recently acquired '82 240D came with one extremely worn brass key, so I ordered a factory key from my local MB dealer. $18 and they asked me to bring the car and see my ID and registration.
As I've had problems with the plastic heads breaking on old factory MB keys, I had a new brass key made off the new MB key at a local locksmith for $4 and it works fine. As it's not my everyday transportation, I'm not that worried about the brass wearing.

Happy Motoring, Mark

I'd be happy to call for you...what's the year and model of your car?

Just to clarify...you had a key copy made from one of yours right?

i live 15 minutes from absecon. What's the name of the locksmith?

mine say Ilco, i could care less.

I think it is called ABSECON LOCKSMITH.

Probably best to avoid any business with the words "BS" and "con" clearly in its name:D

Sounds like you can go over and do a little recon for the OP.

I called the classic center in Cali and received a new OEM leather pouch and vin cut key. All of this was about $22 shipped. When you call ask for Woody , he is real helpful and knows his stuff.


-Dan

cheezee plastic "back end"
 

The dealer has a drawer full of them with the body trim clips; they seem to be consumable, changed about as often as you get a haircut.

Markho, I have a 1984 300 SD.

Currently living in both tenneese and margate city. I have an apt. in margate there since I have responsibility for maine to florida, tenneese, alabama, mississippi, louisana, and half of arkansas.

I spend a month down south and a month up north.

I would have been pissed and walk straight out the door:P. How long did it take him to make the key?

I wish the dealer still gave the original design key with the solid head and not the flimsy crappy type that breaks at the worst possible time.

So for that I have a spare key head in my glove box, inside my fuse pouch.

The original keys of my 300D and my wife's 190E are in great shape (head-wise), they are much harder than the new plastic soft key heads of the VIN-cut key I have for my 300D. I had a brass one made for $5 or $10 (can't remember) as a spare that I keep in my wallet.

My wife has the valet key of my car, and I have the valet key of her car, in case we get into trouble and lock ourselves out.

I had problems with the soft-head OE key on my previous 240D. A PO had tried to epoxy the plastic and got some on the metal part. Then, when the new owner of my car lost his solid brass key, the epoxy prevented his OE key from going into the ignition. Even after I chipped off the epoxy for him, it was tricky to use that key, as the metal part kept receding into the plastic before the key was fully inserted.
I keep my OE keys at home for backup or duplicating, and use the brass ones.

Happy Motoring, Mark

small world :)

Many lock shops will not cut a steel key. They'll only cut brass keys. They say the steel keys cause too much wear on their cutting equipment.

Also, won't a steel key wear down the pins in the lock over time? With a brass key, it is only the key that gets worn, not the lock.