Where can I get a Key!???
 

ANy ideas on where I can get a key made for the 83 300D? I went to all three hardware stores in our little area and no one had the right key blank. I was told go to the dealer or a locksmith. Nearest dealer is 150 miles away, and nearest locksmith is close to 100!

So, as you can see I would like an easy way to get a couple replacement keys made.

Any help greatly appreciated.

Glenn

the dealer will give u copies but for a reasonable price if you provide them with a drivers license and current registration.

The keys from the dealer are usually all steel and not brass. It's better to use steel since it will not shave off and leave flakes inside the lock.

Be careful with the dealer keys though. A couple '81 owners including myself have gotten completely wrong keys.

Anywhere else besides a dealer? As I mentioned earlier, the nearest dealer is about 150 miles away

If you call them, you can order one with your VIN.

Not without proof of ownership.

I guess it's a 100+ mile trip, then. OR a fax machine...

If a lock cylinder had been replaced at some time chances are very slim you'll get the one matched to your VIN.

I didn't imply that ;). All my locks match each other, plus I bought it from the original owner. I said some '81 owners including myself have problems.

When I purchased my W123, I wanted extra keys. I went to the dealer (walking distance) with my title and ordered a few keys. They work perfectly.

there is the risk with an older car that the locks had been changed along the way. Contact the dealer and see what they can do for you. Contact MB USA and see what they can do. It is ridiculous to drive that distance. A picture and a notarized copy of a letter or some combo there in should work. (The notary can help prove you are the owner and that new keys are to be sent to the address on the title in the owners name.) They could have you sign for it and show id.

There are so many ways to make this happen.

My 84 240D only came with one ignition key' and I had reason to believe the ignition had been changed. My nearest dealer is over 100 miles away. They told me they'd change the ignition out and give me two keys for over a hundred bucks. No, thankyou. Thanks to some good advice I got here, I contacted Key Men Keys For Classics, www.key-men.com. I got 5 all steel blanks sent for 4 bucks apiece and took them to Ace Hardware with my only key and they cut them for me for like 3 bucks apiece. Great keys and a bargain at 7 bucks apiece. I need to go back there again and see if they can match the door lock key blanks and order some of them too. I'm down to only one of those thanks to the kid driver losing one.

By 'wrong key' I thought you got a key cut for another cylinder or car.

Net effect to the OP is... he's going for a drive.

Mercedes cut me a key that looks like the same per portions as my dads old E320 key, that is NOT right. They key doesn't work in any of my locks, and I know for a fact that my locks are original.

How to get a key from the dealer through the mail
 

I talked to the parts dept. on the phone. My car was an 87, not much chance of it being a high value target for a thief. I e-mailed a legible photo of the title with my DL sitting on it. Make sure they can read the VIN. The address on the title matched my DL and the address I wanted it sent to. I received the key in the mail the next day.

'79 300D My local MB dealer wanted $50 plus tax for a steel blank and cutting. :eek: And said it would take a week. A local locksmith shop laughed when I told them this and showed me a box full of blanks. I paid $3.50 for the blank and $1.50 for the cutting and was out of there in 5 minutes. Works fine.

I was in my local ACE hardware getting pipe fittings yesterday. I noticed they had the blanks for my 83 MB on the rack at the checkout. Check around the local hardware stores - someone might have the blank. It might be brass but you could get by with it until you can get to the dealer or order the steel blank.