SO I went to my Northwest Indiana MB Dealer and ordered the parts. The Ignition lock was $125 and the key is sold separately for an additional $24. The parts guy said it will take about 3 days to come in, and that parts for the older MBs will be going up.

He also told me to be glad I wasn't driving a jag (which they also stock parts for.) He said after 10 years or so, they stop stocking parts for those cars- even if it's something they use in all of their models for a given year...

Nate thanks for adding the link to your thread- I dunno why I didn't think to include it- duh...

I did this on my W124 a few months ago and the cylinder came with a new key. Took just 2 days to get the part and the cost was $75. This was from the local MB dealer with no special discount. The description sounded like it was only the cylinder but the parts specialist assured me that it also came with the key (which it did).

With the cylinder removed it is easy to start the car with a screwdriver.

I did this 3 months ago on my euro 190. $70, key included, two days to order it through dealer.

Ya- think I got reamed on the parts- but they are the only stealer in the area. I know that the dealers are increasing prices on parts for older cars tho- a friend complained about paying thru the nose for his "OEM" fluids and filters on his 90s MB.

I should note that the ignition lock/cylinder went in ALOT slower than it came out. If it is not perfectly lined up (by that I mean both the cylinder betwen 0 and 1, and the collar rotated so that it is where it should be) it will not seat properly and the key will not rotate. Be sure to align the cylinder and the collar PERFECTLY and it will save alot of time and swearing.

PS- the way I see it, for $150 in parts and an hour of time, I saved $500- since the dealer in Ft. Wayne quoted $6-700 bucks for this repair in their shop.

Cheers- J

I just did this and I think it was $80 for the cylinder with the key. You did get... uh, taken advantage of. Well, that was for a 124, maybe yours is just more spendy.

__________________
William Weatherby