i lost my keys, and am not looking forward to paying whatever exorbitant amount the stealership is going to charge me. however, my dad has a key-making machine at his work, and he was saying something about using the VIN number to get the code to cut keys for the car. any idea as to how to do this?

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1980 240D, 197580 miles - "The Stuttgart Stomper"

The dealer I go to charges $25 for keys to the old cars.

Get it from the dealership. You need your VIN number and proof of ownership. It only costs $25.

When I got my 80 240 it had no keys with it. I took a chance that nobody had changed any of the locks previously from a failure, and went ahead and ordered a master key (the one that works every lock on the car) using the vin (MB keeps a record of this). MB goofed up and sent 2 keys, the second arriving a week later, the guy called me up and said come get it, it's free and I can't use it. So I got 2 genuine MB keys for the price of one, not bad, they later realized their goof and went back and billed him for both, he ate the second key, I think he couldv'e fought it if he wanted, but then, he probably should have sent it back..... You could order a master, and then have your father use it as a template for a 2nd key. I know ILCO makes a key blank that fits the 123's, I don't recall the number but the key (for my 82)is out in my shop if you need me to get the blank #.

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Chris
64 190D R.I.P.
80 240D W/617 engine -for sale
82 240D -for sale

Whatever you do, do not use a brass blank to make a key. Use only steel.

it's 25.00 for the 126 keys, the 123 keys are only around 12.00...
and they come from MB in the proper STEEL form. the walmart/lowes key blanks, are OK for an emergency key, but I wouldn't use it as my daily key unless I really hated the car.

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

ilco key blank number is x83 or mb39 and a brass key would work fine for a 123 lock, they arent recommend for the 126s because of the laser cut and when they wear out they just wont work. Steel would last longer though.

A brass key will work fine on a 123 lock for a while, until the brass shavings collect in the tumblers and leave you stranded.

Stick with steel, as the factory intended.

I've heard this before but have used a brass key in my 82 wagon since 1992. And have had no problems.

Dave

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1970 220D, owned 1980-1990
1980 240D, owned 1990-1992
1982 300TD, owned 1992-1993
1986 300SDL, owned 1993-2004
1999 E300, owned 1999-2003
1982 300TD, 213,880mi, owned since Nov 18, 1991- Aug 4, 2010 SOLD
1988 560SL, 100,000mi, owned since 1995
1965 Mustang Fastback Mileage Unknown(My sons)
1983 240D, 176,000mi (My daughers) owned since 2004
2007 Honda Accord EX-L I4 auto, the new daily driver
1985 300D 264,000mi Son's new daily driver.(sold)
2008 Hyundai Tiberon. Daughters new car

Get the key from the dealership. It's cheaper than replacing the inevitable failed tumbler if you use a brass replacement key.

it isn't just the locks, i'll need an ignition key too.

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1980 240D, 197580 miles - "The Stuttgart Stomper"

I'll second this. When I had a set done, I waited a VERY long time at the dealership. I'm sure the FBI was checking me out, so they could give the go ahead. I brought the title. When they finally told me OK, you can pick them tomorrow, or for an extra $4, we'll ship 'em there. At nearly an hour away, I opted to have them sent here.
You can get both keys.
ayrtonsenna, Brazilian?

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83 SD

84 CD

nope, massachusetts

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1980 240D, 197580 miles - "The Stuttgart Stomper"

lol, keys are keys, brass keys are what you've used to open your house and just about everything else for the last 100 years, get what you can and what works, and be done with it.

the dealer i went to yesterday (new country, hartford) said $60/each...

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1980 240D, 197580 miles - "The Stuttgart Stomper"