The Insane Cost of Keys for my W203 C220 CDI

[ARoosterinaRoadster]

Hi to you all out there - Yes I am back again with an issue.

I have discovered much to my utter discussed the cost of a replacement key because the spare key will not unlock the car or lock it on the remote. If the car is unlocked with the other key-fob it will start the car as usual when inserted into the ignition.
The regular key fob is OK at present but both are showing hairline cracks in the plastic over the buttons on the 'mother board'.

Why is a Premium Brand car from Mercedes Benz supplied with such cheap and crappy items of absolute necessity and then the dealerships expect insane prices for replacement keys ?

My BMW 330i Touring is on one original key and there are no issues with the plastic splitting !!

What is anything is there a way around the absolute insane cost of the replacement key fobs ?

 

[curious]

If the innards are fine and working then just get a replacement case from ebay. They do vary in quality. Alternatively get a 'genuine' 2nd hand key off ebay and throw away the innards. (You cannot reprogram them despite what the vendor may claim.)

 

[ARoosterinaRoadster]

If the innards are fine and working then just get a replacement case from ebay. They do vary in quality. Alternatively get a 'genuine' 2nd hand key off ebay and throw away the innards. (You cannot reprogram them despite what the vendor may claim.)

Hi curious. The innards on one are functioning perfectly well on both the remote buttons BUT the other key will not operate on the buttons at all (Either of them) BUT will start the car once access is gained with the other key.

 

[curious]

I think there maybe a thread on how to get it fixed somewhere on the forum. Requires a bit of soldering skill if I remember correctly.
In the past an extremely helpful member of this forum (unfortunately no longer with us) used to fix them for others.

Does it matter if the 2nd key doesn't function fully? My 2nd key lives in a drawer and never sees daylight.

 

[ARoosterinaRoadster]

I think there maybe a thread on how to get it fixed somewhere on the forum. Requires a bit of soldering skill if I remember correctly.
In the past an extremely helpful member of this forum (unfortunately no longer with us) used to fix them for others.

Does it matter if the 2nd key doesn't function fully? My 2nd key lives in a drawer and never sees daylight.

Hi again curious. Yes of course it does because one day that might be the only key and therefore my back-up is stuffed !!

I alternate my keys so as not to drain the batteries whilst being left in a draw and getting forgotten about.

Soldering was something that I never perfected.

 

[Flyinspanner]

Search the net .... Mercedes replacement keys.co.uk

sorted

 

[AnthonyUK]

Yes of course it does because one day that might be the only key and therefore my back-up is stuffed !!

When that happens you could unlock the car with the physical key

 

[onefortheroad]

£150 if pre 2015.

 

[umblecumbuz]

If £150 is a pain for a key, hope you don't have a few leds go out in your door mirror.
'That'll be £500 please sir - shall we replace the other one while you're here?'

 

[Blobcat]

You can pay ~£400 for a key for a Ford...

 

[peterws1957]

The eye watering cost of replacement keys is not confined to MB though. Suppose it's some consolation that keys are available for various models, although owners of older MB's are complaining that keys are NLA for theirs. I wouldn't be taking any chances and would bite the bullet.

 

[ARoosterinaRoadster]

Hi to all that have responded since my last posting. I have actually located a service that is totally mobile and they will provide a replacement brand new key albeit the key is of the 3 button type with the chrome trim at a cost of £150.00 but cannot do it until the 1st week in January.
Seemingly the 2 button key - of which mine is - is no longer available.

I have also made contact with - Mercedes replacement keys.co.uk - as suggested by Flyinspanner - I await one or other result.

Is the exorbitant cost and lack of availability down to some subversive government plan for getting rid of every car that is beyond the 1st MoT age/period !!

 

[Frontstep]

Hi to you all out there - Yes I am back again with an issue.

I have discovered much to my utter discussed the cost of a replacement key because the spare key will not unlock the car or lock it on the remote. If the car is unlocked with the other key-fob it will start the car as usual when inserted into the ignition.
The regular key fob is OK at present but both are showing hairline cracks in the plastic over the buttons on the 'mother board'.

Why is a Premium Brand car from Mercedes Benz supplied with such cheap and crappy items of absolute necessity and then the dealerships expect insane prices for replacement keys ?

My BMW 330i Touring is on one original key and there are no issues with the plastic splitting !!

What is anything is there a way around the absolute insane cost of the replacement key fobs ?

If your talking about the outer cover Ebay will provide and with buttons;

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes...830914?hash=item46637cc0c2:g:AZwAAOSwPh5ZGJ9h

The keys can be repaired first point them into your phone camera and look to check its lighting up.

 

[EmilysDad]

....
The keys can be repaired first point them into your phone camera and look to check its lighting up.

he's still push button A, push button B & doesn't have a smart phone ...

 

[ARoosterinaRoadster]

he's still push button A, push button B & doesn't have a smart phone ...

Hi E'sD. Actually I do have an HTC One M8 but what will pointing my duff key at the phone camera achieve ?

Is Frontstep referring to the red light on the key fob ?

 

[EmilysDad]

Hi E'sD. Actually I do have an HTC One M8 but what will pointing my duff key at the phone camera achieve ?

Is Frontstep referring to the red light on the key fob ?

if you set a smart phone to camera, then look at the end of the key with it while pressing a button on the fob, you'll see (or not) the infra red light if the key is working.

 

[mersum1es]

150 in cheap, they asked me 500 for new key of my ex-W220. Well periferial increment apply here North... New cover from dealer is also almost 100 I think, which is ridicolous too, but what I have found chinese ebay covers are 99% crap (they all are 100% chinese). Buttons are extremenly stiff, and you need to press your finger white to get a contact.

 

[AMGeed]

I don't understand complaining at the cost of a replacement key?
You would be similarly dismayed at the price of a Kia replacement remote fob and Fords as already mentioned are even dearer.

Did you think parts for a premium brand car were going to be cheap?
If so, you bought the wrong car.

 

[ARoosterinaRoadster]

if you set a smart phone to camera, then look at the end of the key with it while pressing a button on the fob, you'll see (or not) the infra red light if the key is working.

Hi E'sD. I figured that that was what you would say - the red light does not illuminate with either button being pressed.

 

[umblecumbuz]

... Is the exorbitant cost and lack of availability down to some subversive government plan for getting rid of every car that is beyond the 1st MoT age/period !!

I don't know if this applies to all Italian districts, but I was chatting to a guy with a yacht in tow on the dockside at Livorno. He and his son were heading to Malta for a season's sailing. He had a pristine old Merc estate, and told me he used it each season for towing his boat and for nothing else. He was going to scrap it when he returned home, because the road tax went up each year and was now costing annually more than the value of the car. An obvious way of getting older cars off the road - but this beautiful car, lovingly cared for, had many years of life in it yet. Real shame.