Upgrade to smart key?
 

Is there a feasible and economical way to upgrade my 97 C280 to a smart key ?
The looks of the newer ones (in chrome) is great!
TIA
Jorge

If your car has the "Smart-Key" system, check with your dealer to see if they are substituting for the old. Smart Keys only can be programmed once by MB, PDC (factory depot) they keep the codes by VIN and they can not be reprogrammed by local dealer no matter what the seller says. There are only 24 slots available unless the computer is replaced. E bay remotes are only good for show, or if you break an identical housing on your old one.

Feasible and economical? In my opinion, no.

completely impractical. easier to buy a new car with that key. you would basically have to change all wiring and all modules from the "donor"car. looking at litterally thousands of dollars.

Thanks for the advice. You saved me lots of research to discover that it is not practical.
Peter, my 1997 has no smart key. (I think that only the 1997 units shipped to US have it. Mine also lacks OBDII)
Case closed !

You are so lucky, the smart keys are of no advantage over traditional keys. First of all, they do not last. I have had to replace both of my originals at substantial cost. Secondly, they are much bulkier than a key so keeping one on a keychain is bad enough, but I have 2 Benzes with smartkeys so I cannot carry a single keychain with both keys on it!

Count your blessings...I wish I could convert my car back to a traditional key!

And
 

The blade has been known to get detached from the smart part, which then gets lost, which then leads to a mandatory contribution to Dr Z's already substantial treasure chest.

You're going the wrong direction - an upgrade would be to go backwards in time.

If your key no longer is held in the remote Those E-bay remotes can be used for the housing, and nothing else!

I agree 1000%. From my perspective the "smart key" was a pretty dumb idea - Just because you can do something does not necessarily mean you should do it.

Weeeeeeeeeeel... now you truly made me happy !
Best Regards, Jorge

smart key with chrome replaces older keys
 

we placed an order recently for a smart key, our customer lost one and was needing a spare, much to our surprise it arrived as the newer style with the chrome sorround, seems it may be a little more robust. i guess the older ones are replaced by this one and no longer available,

for several months, the chrome key was being sold mail order by a dealer in
Maryland. one needed to show proof of car ownership and the Smartkey
was shipped by FedEx to your door. the few lucky individuals who were
able to take advantage of this was able to get Smartkey for $60, including
blade key.

then, in early March, they price doubled to $115, though one can still order
with proof of car ownership (eg VIN) mail order. this is still approx 50% or more
savings compared to face-to-face purchases through your local dealer.

oempartsdirect dot com is the vendor. they are mail order offshoot of the
MB dealer Hammersley out of Virginia.

that is a pretty good price, list for the chrome key is $182.00 and cost is $117.00 both without blade key. blades are $30.00 list and $16.00 cost

hey it's Mercedes they like to do things that they can but they really shouldn't be doing.

cases in point - merge with chrysler, make smart cars that no one wants after a year.