my father (overseas) have a 1998 S320 W140. When he bought the car a year ago, he went a cutted a spare key. The spare back then didnt stat the car, but was able to open the doors.
Now He lost his remote (which was an aftermarket remote not the mercedes original one) and cant find it anymore. And when he tried to start it with the cutted spare it flahes on the dashboard "start error".

Mechanics/locksmith near him arent that good, and one of them quoted him next to 900$ to get the car working!

I told him to go for the dealer and ask for a regular mercedes cut key for his car (not the remote...just the key).

Does anyone know if dealer can get us just a key without the remote? and does those keys have a chip in it?

My other thought is, since the car had aftermarket remote, maybe it has been messed with, and a new key from the dealer might not work!


any help or thoughts would be great!

Your father's car uses a Smart Key. It consists of an electronic key and a metal insert key. The metal key can only be used to open the door/trunk in the event that the batteries are dead in the Smart Key. It (the metal key) can not start the car. The car uses a system known as DAS (Drive Authorization System). This system makes theft of the car very difficult. For some reason the car's ECU does not recognize the Smart Key. Each Smart Key must be programmed to the car. In the US dealers usually charge between $250-$300 for a replacement Smart Key.

In case you are wondering, the batteries in the key are not an issue. They provide power to transmit a signal to release the door locks or open/close the sunroof and windows. They are not necessary to start the car.

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Good luck.






1998 E320 Wagon

I would talk to a couple of dealers. These things can vary a bit depending on the market in which the car was originally sold.

No sir! the car got older style key. I know what you are talking about, i have it in my w211. The W140 in question here use a normal key, and its original remote is a flip remote.

Yes, the W140 has a somewhat normal looking key BUT embedded in the outer sheath is info that the DAS system needs to start the car.

A trip to a dealer to SPECIAL order by VIN that key from Mercedes will be needed!

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Sorry, I thought MB switched to the Smart Key in the 1998 S Class. It's pretty rare for the E Class to have later technology than the S Class.

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Good luck.






1998 E320 Wagon