98 C 240 W202 - Can I buy a second hand key?

[TKK]

Just bought a 98 C240 Espirt Estate but it only came with one (two button) key.

seen breakers in Portsmouth on ebay selling second hand keys. Can I get them reprogrammed to work for my car?

Thanks in advance.

 

[bigasotonuk]

Hi,
Welcome to the forum.
In a word no, the key cannot be re-programmed to start your car, though I think i,m right in saying it can be re-programmed to operate your central locking.
The only option is to buy a new one from MB at approx. £150+, you will need logbook (in your name) and photo proof of I.D. and address before they will even order it for you.
E-bay keys can be a good source for new "cases" as the buttons have a tendacy to split/wear through.

 

[TKK]

How do you get it reprogrammed to work the central locking? I assume official dealers would not do this for you and you need to goto a specialist?

I have a spare "metal" key but not the black fob bit.

 

[Silver Arrow]

MB seem to be good at keeping spares for older models.

Not so other marques!
I have a full set of keys for my Alfa spyder (98 ), but only one remote works.
I tried a key specialist, who said that they were only available from Alfa.
Alfa said that they were no longer available!

In 94 the distributor on my 90 Lotus failed. Lucas said they were no longer available!
I had to source one from an independant.

 

[bigasotonuk]

If you look at your glove box handbook for the car and follow the procedure for synching the key this "should" reprogramme the central locking side of things but don,t hold me to it as I am only repeating what seems to be the consensus of opinion on the forum.
If you use the search facility you will find many posts regarding keys, and how to synch them.