I've searched the forums and seen some posts about the failure rate of certain types of key heads (seems to be mostly on 123's), but I haven't found any definitive info on what is the best source for a replacement key. Should I go through the dealer based on VIN, or should I pop ~$40 at Ace Hardware to have them cut one? What's the key to getting good bang for my buck? (badabing!)

Dealer with VIN is where I get mine from.

__________________
Cruise Control not working? Send me PM or email (jamesdean59@gmail.com). I might be able to help out.
Check here for compatibility, diagnostics, and availability!

(4/11/2020: Hi Everyone! I am still taking orders and replying to emails/PMs/etc, I appreciate your patience in these crazy times. Stay safe and healthy!)


82 300SD 145k
89 420SEL 210k
89 560SEL 118k
90 300SE 262k RIP 5/25/2010
90 560SEL 154k
91 300D 2.5 Turbo. 241k
93 190E 3.0 235k
93 300E 195k

How does the price compare to $40 from the hardware store?

Dealer was cheaper for us:


Also, do you know what kind of material the key is made from? I know that MB keys are typically laser cut. I've heard brass keys will leave shavings in the tumbler and that will eventually degrade the tumbler.

__________________
Cruise Control not working? Send me PM or email (jamesdean59@gmail.com). I might be able to help out.
Check here for compatibility, diagnostics, and availability!

(4/11/2020: Hi Everyone! I am still taking orders and replying to emails/PMs/etc, I appreciate your patience in these crazy times. Stay safe and healthy!)


82 300SD 145k
89 420SEL 210k
89 560SEL 118k
90 300SE 262k RIP 5/25/2010
90 560SEL 154k
91 300D 2.5 Turbo. 241k
93 190E 3.0 235k
93 300E 195k

I paid $20 for a W124 key last week at my dealer. I was amazed at the difference in quality of the key head from the one I received for my W123. The W124 is a solid piece of plastic and the W123 is a flimsy POS.

I don't know about the W126, but the Porsche 928 guys use Keys4Classics in Australia. Send a hi-res photo and it arrives 8 days later.

I have used them myself, highly recommended.

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1990 560SEC
1988 300SE
1978 928 euro S engine, big brakes, and more
1996 Suburban TX shark rig
1988 Suburban Pacific steelhead rig
1992 300 TE (recently totalled )

Nice, works for me.

My OE one appears to be chrome plated steel. I suppose this means it is laser cut? If so, and if all OE ones are laser cut steel, there should be no reason to pop $40 for a brass one.

Oh one more thing, how long did you have to wait? Obviously they can't keep every key in stock, right?

Ohh I dont remember how long. I dont think its anything outrageous. The facility that does cuts the keys is located in Texas I think. So it was probably only a few days.

__________________
Cruise Control not working? Send me PM or email (jamesdean59@gmail.com). I might be able to help out.
Check here for compatibility, diagnostics, and availability!

(4/11/2020: Hi Everyone! I am still taking orders and replying to emails/PMs/etc, I appreciate your patience in these crazy times. Stay safe and healthy!)


82 300SD 145k
89 420SEL 210k
89 560SEL 118k
90 300SE 262k RIP 5/25/2010
90 560SEL 154k
91 300D 2.5 Turbo. 241k
93 190E 3.0 235k
93 300E 195k

Dealer for sure, buy two or three. Never know if you will need a spare and if you must sell the car off, it is a perk that you have OEM cut keys to go with it.

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

Key depot is in Texas, 2-3 days for a standard order. They can rush it if its an emergency.


Any locksmith attempt at a Mercedes key I've ever seen was more money than OEM and looked like crap.

As mentioned they are laser cut, only Mercedes does them right, and for $24, why not?

Your local dealer may be cheaper too, I've been buying 124 keys for around $14.

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68 280SL - 70 280SL - 70 300SEL 3.5 - 72 350SL - 72 280SEL 4.5 - 72 220 - 72 220D - 73 450SL - 84 230GE - 87 200TD - 90 190E 2.0 - 03 G500

Nissan GTR - Nissan Skyline GTS25T - Toyota GTFour - Rover Mini - Toyota Land Cruiser HJ60 - Cadillac Eldorado - BMW E30 - BMW 135i

On the subject of keys-seems I will need a replacement for a 97 S500. I understand the dealer can supply one with proof of ownership but must have the car to program. I am 200 miles from dealer and car is inoperative. Is there a way to manipulate the vacuum system to gain accss to the trunk? Missing engine parts may be in trunk. Any info appreciated.

Well, I dropped my the MB dealer here in Baton Rouge and was totally shocked when the parts guy quoted me $59.50 for a replacement key for my 1977 300D!!!!

Stopped by local locksmith on the way home and he cut me a steel key for $4.91 and it actually works!

This means I have a spare $55 to spend on my car now.

The problem is cutting a copy from a worn key makes for not as good a key. The mbz keys aren't copies, they are new keys cut from a key code.

The dealer can ask whatever they want for parts, you as the consumer have the right to shop around. Someone will give you a deal on parts.

Keys for my 190SL from the classic center were $5.80. $59.50 is absurd.

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68 280SL - 70 280SL - 70 300SEL 3.5 - 72 350SL - 72 280SEL 4.5 - 72 220 - 72 220D - 73 450SL - 84 230GE - 87 200TD - 90 190E 2.0 - 03 G500

Nissan GTR - Nissan Skyline GTS25T - Toyota GTFour - Rover Mini - Toyota Land Cruiser HJ60 - Cadillac Eldorado - BMW E30 - BMW 135i