So, there's always a catch when you buy a 560SEL for $500. It looks like one of the little inevitable hitches I have encountered is the joyous ignition lock quandary.

Here's the deal - the 560SEL has an ignition lock that does not match the doors or trunk. It looks like it was rather poorly replaced at some point, and the ignition cylinder looks much different than the one in my 300SE. It has the standard positions 1,2,3 and is clearly a Mercedes lock, but it seems as if it is from a different chassis. Is that even possible? I can take a picture of it, but to describe it..... Okay, it's face is solid steel unlike my 300SE which has a little stainless steel concave cover. Also, there is no black metal screw-on ring around it, there is simply a black steel portion of the lock that surrounds the tumbler. The lock seems to sit back further in the dash than it should, and it is cocked at a funny angle. It sure appears to be a junkyard cylinder from a 124 perhaps???

Here's what doesn't work - The car's shifter safety and wheel lock don't work. I can shift to any gear at any time, regardless if the key's even in the cylinder. The wheel never locks either..... Also, central locking is either broken, or somebody wisely disabled it since there is no key to the doors!!

So, I guess I am going to have to order another lock cylinder, and I imagine that I will have to go to the dealer to get one that matches the doors and trunk..... Is that correct?

How screwed am I, anyway?

__________________
-tp


1990 300SE "Corinne"- 145k daily driver - street modified differential - PARTING OUT OR SELLING SOON - PORTLAND OR. AREA - PM ME FOR DETAILS
1988 560SEL "Gunther"- 190K passes anything except a gas station
1997 S420 - 265k just bought it with a rebuilt trans. Lovely condition