public service announcement, ignition tumbler swap

[JB3]

Just thought id relate a little consequnce on changing my stuck ignition on my 83 240D.

The lesson I've learned is make sure you still have a key for the glove box before you finish the job.

I'm driving a 30 year old car, with who knows how many copies of copies of the original keys, which are long gone. I bought the car with a door key and ignition key. Its got close to 375k on it now.

The door key turns out to work in all the locks and trunk EXCEPT the glove box.

Now my story-


4-5 months ago I got tired of my glove box popping open. I have a cracked blue dash and a bit sloppy glove box handle. Solution to this was lean over and lock the glove box so it wouldn't pop open.
Worked perfectly, has not been an issue since.

Fast forward to 3 months ago. My ignition key jammed one day in the scalding heat. Had the car towed to a shaded area, let it cool off, and played with the ignition for over an hour until I got it to turn, then replaced the tumbler with a spare I had.
Satisfied with the job and the new key, threw the old tumbler and key in metal recycling.
All was well.

Fast forward to yesterday. On a long drive, got pulled over for whatever reason by the cops. (A piece of my front license plate was nipped months ago by local hoodlums, cop wanted to discuss it)

Cop asked for license and registration. Registration turned out to be locked in the glove box with insurance, and the key which opened it is now long gone. Door key did not open the glove box. Icing on the cake is the car is registered in a state where titles are not issued after 10 years old. My proof of ownership is that registration, so MB won't be cutting me any replacement key.
Cop was a good sort and found my predicament amusing fortunately, situation could have easily been different. He preferred to have a good chuckle at my situation vs creating all the problems he could have, and ticketing me for missing vital documents.
I now have to either drill the lock, pick the lock, or order a duplicate registration from the dmv and then visit the dealer to get another key.

The lesson: when you swap you ignition tumbler, make sure you still have one key or a combination of two keys that will open ALL the locks.