Also, the Mercedes Roadside assistance person I spoke with when the problem initially occured said that they are seeing an increasing number of 1989 era locks beginning to fail. His exact words were, "the 89's are starting to go."

Come to think of it, I recall one or two occasions many months ago when the key would stick just a tiny bit, but I passed it off to dirt since I could see some residue on the key. Apparently, the famous Mercedes "one year or so warning before failure" system was at work then, only I did not recognize it.

But never again will I neglect even the most minor odd behavior since it is so easy, and cheap, to correct them when caught early on.

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2008 E350 4matic / Black/Anthracite

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Gone but not Forgotten:
2001 E430 4matic, 206,xxx miles, Black/Charcoal
1995 E320, 252,xxx miles, Black/Grey
1989 260E, 223,00 miles, Black/Black