price diff. on ign. locks - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

subman60 · #1 09-09-2013, 07:53 AM

Need to order a new ignition lock tumbler. Is there much difference between the lower priced ones and the Mercedes brand? There is about a $75-$100 difference in the them.

Zulfiqar · #2 09-09-2013, 09:10 AM

consider the difference as buying a cheapie lock and a proper branded lock. Genuine MB locks are safe grade steel which makes them really hard to cut (ergo hard to steal)

kerry · #3 09-09-2013, 09:35 AM

I think I bought the less expensive version for the 84SD and haven't had any problems.

funola · #4 09-09-2013, 10:28 AM

Lock tumblers are made from brass, almost never from steel. The really cheap house lock tumblers use pot metal. As long as it is made from brass, I'd say the after market is fine. I have an after market one in my 83 and it's been fine.

Graham · #5 09-09-2013, 10:28 AM

The cheap ones come with plated brass keys. Not as long lasting. They are also different from door key, so you need to use different keys.

I bought a German made (or so they claimed) cheap lock cylinder. It looks fine, but I never installed it. Instead as posted elsewhere, I "modified" the old one so it will work with existing keys (or any key for that matter!). It works just fine and should never have that tumbler steering lock problem.

If someone tries to steal car, they are welcome

, but they still have to get into car. Who would steal one of these old cars anyway?

charmalu · #6 09-09-2013, 10:41 AM

Buy it from the dealer. they need your Vin # and proof of ownership, IE registration. you will get the Tumbler and one key.

Buying from the dealer, then you will have a key that is keyed to your Vin #. Buying an after market key or one from the junk yard cars, then if you loose the key you are in deep DOO DOO. you won`t be able to get one from the dealer, and now you will have to drill it out.

Your choice, your call, your car.

Charlie

vstech · #7 09-09-2013, 12:08 PM

what car?
what lock? ignition? door? trunk? glove box?

willw · #8 09-09-2013, 12:18 PM

I just replaced my '84 300Sd tumbler.

I chose to go with the Mercedes factory tumbler for $54.
It came with a new key that matched the door locks and the trunk lid.
I had to bring my title and ID to the service desk to prove I did in-fact
own the car, and went back the next day to pick up the new tumbler
and key. It installed without too much problems.

The tumbler and key are good quality, and I don't worry about the tumbler
breaking or wearing out and the tumbler getting stuck in the locking
cylinder like the old one did.

I could have gone with an aftermarket tumbler for ~$24 but then the
key wouldn't have matched the doors or the trunk, and I would always
have worried about the tumbler getting jammed/locked in the cylinder if
it failed.

Peace of mind for ~$30 bucks was worth it :-)

Will

Mölyapina · #9 09-09-2013, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

what car?
what lock? ignition? door? trunk? glove box?

Ignition. Car type would help, though.

From his profile, it appears to be a 240D...

subman60 · #10 09-09-2013, 02:37 PM

It is a 1982 240D and it is the ignition lock. The closest dealer
to me is 125 miles away. I was told I needed to bring in title and my ID
to them before they would order it and their price was close to
$150.00. I can't afford to take off work to order a part that cost
almost what I make in two days.

Yes the ordering from the dealer would be best but its not feesable
for me at this time. What I was curious about were the ones sold
by places like peach, $24 vs $100. My old lock came completely
Apart when I got it out.