I just bought my first mercedes, a '90 300E (Incredible car!)but only got one set of keys. What is involved with getting another set made up so that they work with the alarm system, etc.?

Go to the dealer near you and give them the VIN and they will get you some new keys.

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Benzmac:
1987 16V
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
SERVICE MANAGER FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM

If I remember correctly, the keys are about $28/each. Like Benzmac said, give your local dealer the VIN # and they will have new ones cut. It takes about 2 weeks for the keys to arrive.


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Rgds,
Aaron Greenberg
MB technician
'67 250SE Cabriolet
'77 450SL
'79 6.9
'79 6.9
'80 300SD
'81 240D
'85 380SE
'89 420SEL
'93 300E 2.8

If you have an original key, you can get a copy made at a key clone shop for less than most dealers will charge you for a new original.

In my case, one dealer wanted to charge me $50.00 for one original, and another dealer wanted $19.95 for an original, (the price of a clone key somewhere else). Needless to say I went with the more reasonable dealer. I was told it would take a week, but it only took 2 days.

My 1983 300SD's keys only took a few days, and cost $26 each from the dealer. They are "laser cut" keys, and I've heard that some clone keys are softer metal (brass vs. nickel steel (?)) than the MB originals.

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Robert W. Roe
1984 300SD 165,745 miles

If you're lucky enough to live in an area with several dealers, try all of them. Our dealer in Tampa has the equipment to cut keys on site at a reasonable price, while the dealer in Clearwater has to order them at a higher price. In this instance it really pays to shop around. Of course, I found this out after a six week ordeal trying to get a key for the 190 and locking my one key in the car during that time. Yes, indeed. I have a sad story for every occasion.

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Rick Miley
Tampa, FL
99 E300DT
86 190E
87 300E

To expand on the point made by Robert Roe, the dealer keys are indeed laser cut and the clone keys are usually a softer material such as nickel plated brass. I have been told that this softer material will damage the tumblers in your ignition and door locks over time.

If you plan to use this key on a regular basis, get the one from the dealer.

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Bill Wood - Webmaster
MercedesShop.com, LLC