Duplicate Key?!?
 

Is there any way or place to get a duplicate key made for my W202 for less than the $250 at the stealership?!? That's ridiculous!

nope

wow that's crazy......i guess im just gunna have to be really careful with my one key for awhile.

Is that the folding key or the infrared key? Wondering about an extra for my '96 E320.

It's the folding kind....you'd think you could get somebody to just do the actual metal key part, guess not.

Yeah.....you learn not to "toss" them to someone once you know what they cost to replace.

The cost is only part of the hassle. MB has implemented new rules when it comes to replacement keys. No phone orders. Proof of ownership required, along with photo ID. Pay in advance. And the newest one? Only the vehicle owner, or a pre-determined representative of the owner, can take possesion of the new key.

Hey JWalb, I know replacement keys are expensive, but believe me when I tell you, that when your key decides to call it quits, it will happen at the worst possible time. You'll wish you had bought a spare at any price. I see this stuff happen all the time. :)

Considering that it's the keys to my Mercedes-Benz . . . I don't think any of those procedures are unreasonable. ;)

The expense just goes along with uber fancy keys....thats just how it goes. Heck they want $40 at our dealer just for a NORMAL key! :eek:

The security rules for obtaining a new key are excellent in my opinion.....if it was too easy then a determined criminal could just go buy a key to your MB and take it for a spin or drive it to the local shipping yard....and then you never see it again. Key rules = good!! :eek:

alright then I guess i be shelling out $250 for a little paece of mind.

yeah and i'm glad they make it hard to get a duplicate key- I just wish it was cheaper.

Try a locksmith with a sidewinder duplicator for the blade

Key Acquisition Protection
 

ILUVMILS,

According to Brumos in Jacksonville,Florida the new rules are the result of
Interpol threatening to sue MB for all the expense involved with
law enforcement activities resulting from certain unscrupulous individuals
having Keys/locksets produced in CONUS for use in the EU/Asia to steal
cars.

(Sounds Good,Anyhow)

BUT, They now tell me you have to "Bring the Car" with you!

So...
1.Registration
2.Picture I.D.
3.Owner
4.Car

Interestingly enough, the local Master Locksmith had no trouble altering the
"Leaves" inside the "Tumbler" of the console rolltop lock to match the original
Keys(AND not much more trouble producing extra keys) Of Course the W124's
lock system is primitive when compared to the newer Electronic Systems.

Alright, hey seriously thanks for all the info everybody, you guys are great. I'll try a locksmith and if not then shell out some at the dealer.

I found that only one of the local smiths could copy the w126 keys, here in my town.

That being said, they couldn't cut steel blanks, only the brass ones which I've heard many people accusing of early lock failure due to brass shavings building up and jamming the leaves of the lock tumbler.