I have gotten two replacement keys through the dealer in Boise for my car since getting it in October. (It only came with one and I thought that might be inviting trouble not to have another.) I usually have a planned trip to Boise so I call ahead a week or less and they have it ready. It only takes about 3 days out of Texas. Not exactly cheap compared to going to WalMart but I know that the key is going to work every time.

I checked this morning at that Ace nearby.... that made me one about four years ago.... they do not have any MB blanks now....

Paid $1.50 for a spare generic key last Tuesday at local lock smith.

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'10 Chrysler T&C Stow-N-Go White. Grandpa's ride.

'13 Chrysler 200 Touring Candy Red. Grandma's ride.

Age and cunning will always over come youth and vigor.

At Star motors on old katy rd the parts dept was closed this weekend, so i went to Greenway, and they wanted $50 each, plus, they said they needed a copy of my title and a copy of my ID! they said they dont make them there, but they send for them.

is this standard in getting new keys from a dealer?

i cant imagine how much new keys for the new models cost!


ill try Star this week

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1991 300 D 2.5 Turbo, 220k
also in the family:
1981 240 D 185k
1991 350 SD 185k
2006 S 500
2005 SLK 350

This varies from dealer to dealer. Some of them have the equipment to cut the older keys on site, and they will copy your existing key on the spot with no questions asked. (1 of my 3 local dealers can do this). The others must send away to Mercedes for VIN cut keys, and it is MB corporate policy to verify ownership of the car. You should thank them for doing this. It keeps people from spotting your car in a parking lot, copying down the VIN, and getting a key for it. But even if they send away for the key, it should not cost that much. I bought a new key switch and key for the 240D last year and the total was $109.

The new keys are all electronic - remote entry and key in one unit. They cost more like $200 each.

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Rick Miley
2014 Tesla Model S
2018 Tesla Model 3
2017 Nissan LEAF
Former MB: 99 E300, 86 190E 2.3, 87 300E, 80 240D, 82 204D Euro
Chain Elongation References

Just checked with Plaza MB in St Louis they are $29 cut and sent to me, but I have to provide VIN, proof of insurance on the car and copy of my driver license. They would not send a blank.

I guess I'm lucky they didn't want my first born child.

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'10 Chrysler T&C Stow-N-Go White. Grandpa's ride.

'13 Chrysler 200 Touring Candy Red. Grandma's ride.

Age and cunning will always over come youth and vigor.

I do not do business with Greenway. I don't like them. They were better when they were Park Place near Westpark and the SW Fwy. Star Motors will not ask for all of that info for just a simple little key. They asked me for NO info at all, just a key to copy, and some money. They make the keys at Star Motors too. The parts dep. staff is also friendly. And just a note, if you go there on the weekend, make sure you get there before they close. They're open only on Saturdays during the weekend, and close at 1PM. So, take my advice, and see how you do there.
-Joe

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'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.

got 2 new VIN cut OEM keys at star motors. $20 each, not bad, alot better than the $50 each that Greenway wanted. star didnt need a copy of my title, just my insurance but i had that in the car so no problem.

Thanks alot

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1991 300 D 2.5 Turbo, 220k
also in the family:
1981 240 D 185k
1991 350 SD 185k
2006 S 500
2005 SLK 350

update on those keys:

when i got them, they were good, i was told they were OEM, and they do have the star on them and the same key manufacturer name, but they also have a "U" on them. they are also not as shiny as the originals. i didnt think anything of it at the time, but since then the cut part has slightly rusted, or at least discolored brown. it occored to me that the replacements are not the same, even from the dealership. i dont know if its chrome plating or if the originals are made from stainless or what, but theyre different. no big deal, just letting you know.

someone also told me that if you get a new ignition switch (VIN matched), you get 2 new keys with it, and it only costs $60 or something like that.

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1991 300 D 2.5 Turbo, 220k
also in the family:
1981 240 D 185k
1991 350 SD 185k
2006 S 500
2005 SLK 350

I don't know about 2 keys being $60 or whatever, but I just went to Euromotorcars in Bethesda to get a new tumbler so mine won't strand me and the bill was $123.38 for a new tumbler and one key. They wanted $35 for an additional one. The same bit I priced in Fredericksburg VA was $99.50. Dealer parts are just completely off the scale, and it seems each dealer charges whatever he wishes according to his demographic.

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'02 BMW 325i
'85 300D 450k
'93 190E 2.6 170k(killed by tree)
'08 Ducati Hypermotard 1100S 6k
'06 Ducati S2R800 14k(sold)