W163 New Key Sync or programme?

[Gregjam]

Tried to search for this but perhaps was not using the right work. In a stroke of madness and not wanting any potential problems as I only had one key I went to the dealer and parted with a lot of money for a genuine key. The manual says to put it into the ignition, turn to position 2, turn off and remove key then press and hold the lock button while pushing the open key five times. (all done within thirty seconds of removing the key).

As you can guess this had no effect. Have I done something wrong or is this something that has to be done at a dealer/specialist. Should it be done as part of the supply of the key or is it going to incur more cost.

All help gratefully appreciated.

 

[television]

It should have worked as it is, if it came from an MB dealer

 

[Cole@MBS]

agreed, should work out of the box!

 

[Gregjam]

The key was from an MB main dealer with all the rigmarole of documentation and is the correct fit. Has batteries fitted but pressing the buttons has no result.

Looks like a trip back to the dealer to ask some questions

 

[Gregjam]

one wonders if I should have got Sam to organise it. I guess it was you who I met while I was there?

 

[Cole@MBS]

Yes it was Sir, i gave you one of my cards in the parts dept!!!

Not got to much front have i!!!!

 

[Gregjam]

Not too much front at all. When that service light comes up you can expect a call.

 

[Cole@MBS]

Not too much front at all. When that service light comes up you can expect a call.

Be waiting Sir

 

[Gregjam]

Fifty quid to programme the key

I'll try in this thread first but may post a new one if no response is received.

Went back to the dealer with the key and was told that it does indeed need to be programmed but they would charge me fifty pounds for the pleasure. I was told when ordering that it may need programming but not that I would have to pay extra. Checked with another dealer and they actually told me the same up front so yet again Mercedes of Southampton win the ripoff of the month award.

So..... Does anyone have the equipment to programme the key or will I have to submit to the ripoff dealers to get this sorted. Should it have to be done at a dealer I will go out of my way to have it done somewhere else.

Thanks again for any ideas.

 

[Blobcat]

I cannot really think of a use for a key without being programmed so what the dealer was doing supplying it to you without being programmed to you car I don't know. I would go and talk to the service manager and remind him that you asked for an additional key for your car and they supplied one. The fact that they did not supply a working one is not your issue and having to revisit the dealer is costing you time and money.

 

[television]

I cannot really think of a use for a key without being programmed so what the dealer was doing supplying it to you without being programmed to you car I don't know. I would go and talk to the service manager and remind him that you asked for an additional key for your car and they supplied one. The fact that they did not supply a working one is not your issue and having to revisit the dealer is costing you time and money.

I cant recall this question ever coming up before, I sure that it has never come up. The keys cost £200 and come coded for the car

 

[Blobcat]

I cant recall this question ever coming up before, I sure that it has never come up. The keys cost £200 and come coded for the car

I agree, I cannot think what has happened. I believe they are supplied to the dealer as blanks, then coded to the car. Although one of our Mercedes techs will be able to confirm that.

 

[type49]

Bit of a con there. A new 163 key does need to be programmed to work - they should have told you that before taking your order. The key you have lost needs to be deleted out of the system & then the new key allowed in. Depending on year, before 98-ish,this is done through AAM (all activity module), after 98-ish EAM.

 

[television]

Bit of a con there. A new 163 key does need to be programmed to work - they should have told you that before taking your order. The key you have lost needs to be deleted out of the system & then the new key allowed in. Depending on year, before 98-ish,this is done through AAM (all activity module), after 98-ish EAM.

And as well as your dog,we love you too

 

[Cole@MBS]

Pop it into us and we will do it for you!

 

[Gregjam]

I have queried this with MB Germany via the website but am not hopeful of a positive response. Fully anticipate giving MMT a call but as this is the spare key I can give MB a chance to respone. Considering trying to shame them by trying to get a letter into one of the car magazines. Might even suggest they do an article on 'how much will a replacement key cost' with comparisons between the manufacturers.

 

[Cole@MBS]

Pop it into us Sir,no hassel, no e,mails no crap, let us sort it out, then it will work, tell you what, we wont even charge you, your a local guy, we are closer than the dealer you got the key from, give me a bell in the morning and bring it round!!

 

[JEZ.S320L]

Bit of a con there. A new 163 key does need to be programmed to work - they should have told you that before taking your order. The key you have lost needs to be deleted out of the system & then the new key allowed in. Depending on year, before 98-ish,this is done through AAM (all activity module), after 98-ish EAM.

AND they charge you £40-50 for the honour of pressing a few keys on the keyboard to delete it. Thanks, but no thanks!!

 

[type49]

Pop it into us Sir,no hassel, no e,mails no crap, let us sort it out, then it will work, tell you what, we wont even charge you, your a local guy, we are closer than the dealer you got the key from, give me a bell in the morning and bring it round!!

If you're lucky enough to beat this offer, you'd be daft not to do the Euro lotto this week:lol::lol:

 

[Gregjam]

I will certainly be visiting MMT next week and thought anyone following this might find MB's response below to be expected.

" Thank you for contacting the Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Center Maastricht N.V. with your enquiry regarding the additional cost required to code a new key to your Mercedes-Benz vehicle.

The charge you are referring to covers the labour costs for the Mercedes-Benz technician to code the new key. I can advise this charge is separate because the Parts Department at the dealership do not invoice labour charges. They can only produce a cash sale invoice or they will internally charge their workshop who will then produce an invoice with the parts and labour charge combined.

The additional step of coding your key to your vehicle before handing it over is for security purposes. If it were possible to code the keys when they were manufactured this would amount to a considerable theft risk. Mercedes-Benz UK Ltd wish to protect our customers as much as possible from this risk and therefore we have implemented these security measures.

I apologise if you find the labour charge unacceptable; however we feel that this is a necessary step in ensuring our customers' long term security and piece of mind.

I hope that this clarifies matters. "

Who do they think they are kidding. I have always used independents for services and only go to the main dealer if I really need a particular part. Should this need arise again I will enjoy the drive and not use Mercedes of Southampton as at least the Portsmouth dealer had the decency to warn me of the ripoff charge.

Thanks for your comments and MMT, I'll be giving you a call sometime early next week.