Key troubles

[Birdman]

I was in a hurry and as you can't really see the ignition slot in the facelift W210 in the dark - it's masked by the steering wheel - there was the usual fiddling around to find the slot. This time the key just wouldn't go fully in and I couldn't turn it to the 'start' position. Removed key.

Discovered I had turned on the ignition before removing the key, leaving the ignition lights on and an unstartable car. The slot wouldn't re-accept the key. Half an hour later the ignition was still on. Scary prospect of a new lock loomed.

Reinserted the key halfway in, turned the lock back to the 0 position, the ignition lights went out, and the key fell neatly into the slot. Thoughts of new lock receded.

Question is, having spent the missing half hour unsuccessfully looking for the spare key, how much to buy another spare? Is there a way to avoid being ripped off? (It's the software-dongle type with no folding blade.)

 

[Ultymate]

£150 give or take a few quid and has to come from M/B, you have to prove your ID and ownership, and usually takes up to 5 working days.

 

[BlackC55]

It sounds like your ignition switch is faulty too. I would get that replaced too because you don't want to be caught out again when you really need the car. I have known them to go wrong for no apparent reason at 10,000 miles and 160,000 miles. I think you may have an early warning sign.

 

[Birdman]

If the key is £150, a replacement ignition switch would costabomb, I would think.
Time to sell?

 

[BlackC55]

Don't sell it. A New key (without blade) is £105 plus vat. Next day delivery. The blade is £49 plus vat and 5 days delivery.

Ignition switch is around £350 inc plus fitting and coding. Its not that expensive really. MB ownership is/can be expensive so you must be prepared to shell out sometimes.

I would get it looked at by a specialist and see what they say. They are often half the hourly rate and equally as good as a main dealer.

Hope this helps..........

 

[gurpz]

Try ebay for a replacement key (ive seen some that are virtully brand new). Then get it reprogrammed and and use your old key blade. You will save a small fortune!!!

 

[BlackC55]

You can't re programe keys from another MB at a main dealer. Some manafactures you can but with Mercedes you cant.

The ebay keys are misleading. Do not buy them.

 

[High-Lo]

If you do decide to get a replacement you may as well wait for the later version to become available as per this thread I guess I'd rather have the later style key for roughly the same price.

 

[Birdman]

I am truly grateful for the input. Now I can keep the car and sleep sound!