Spare Key

[Martinjs]

Just bought a 2009 220CDI Sport from a MB Dealer under their Approved Used scheme - delighted with the car.

There was only one key with the car and the dealer has agreed to provide an additional key once I get the V5 and take in some proof of identity.

But I was pretty stunned to discover that the cost of the replacement key is £227 !!! - I'm glad that I am not paying for it!!!!!!! but it does make me feel like I should have one in our safe at home and the other on a strong chain round my neck!!! - where do they get that price from?

Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that many insurance companies now provide cover for lost keys and they are perceived as having bottomless pockets, (filled with money from us of course!!).

 

[WOODYTHEWISE]

V5 and proof of identity, what for? they know who you are, you just purchased a car from them, they would have had the V5 prior to sending it off.

 

[Ian Donkin]

+1 - they should have provided the key at the point of sale or at least get it without troubling you further. Make a noise and get them to sort it... It did however cost us £227 for our spare, so that appears to be a standard price.

 

[jonm]

Sounds about right...Think yourself lucky you don't have a Mazda.

Lost spare key for Mazda, main dealer wanted something like $400 for a new one...commented to wife 'think yourself lucky you don't have a Mercedes' which we do and having just bought a replacement key for the princely sum of $280 she was able to respond with 'we do...and replacement keys a are a lot less than that'

;-)

Heres one for you...

 

[Vlad]

Funnily enough.......BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, Jaguar etc keys all cost about £225....coincidence...hmm

 

[MB-BTurbo]

5 years ago I paid £20 for a nice genuine Jaguar flip out keyring from ebay when I had my Ford Cougar (same car, different shell). It cost around £15 more to get it chipped to my car.

Why have they gone up to silly prices?

 

[GordonTarling]

I was just quoted the same price for a spare key for my current car. It does seem a bit excessive, I agree, but the price compares fairly well to other makes with similar keys and it does include coding the new one to your vehicle, which would probably cost £50 or so to get done separately.

 

[219]

I'm just glad that none of my cars have fancy electronic keys and that standard keys are still around £21 from the dealership .

As with the others above , why did the dealers not order a key when THEY still owned the car ???

 

[grober]

If MB run true to form coupled to the Germans love of bureaucracy there are probably strict procedures to be adhered to regarding the issue of spare keys only to registered keepers as evinced by presentation by the appropriate V5 documentation. The dealer won't be listed as an owner on the V5 so "computer says no " thinking may apply ?

 

[RMS]

but where is the missing key? should they not be both recoded when your new key arrives---otherwise someone somewhere may have a key to your car...we don't want another stolen car post here soon!

 

[RMS]

If MB run true to form coupled to the Germans love of bureaucracy there are probably strict procedures to be adhered to regarding the issue of spare keys only to registered keepers

true- they wanted a V5, passport and a letter saying i authorise the order of it from me

 

[219]

but where is the missing key? should they not be both recoded when your new key arrives---otherwise someone somewhere may have a key to your car...we don't want another stolen car post here soon!

With electronic keys , at least , it is possible to de-authorise any missing keys from the car's ECU so that they no longer work .

 

[219]

true- they wanted a V5, passport and a letter saying i authorise the order of it from me

It seems that each dealer imposes different requirements - in Glasgow I have only had to show my V5 and photocard licence , as well as tendering the payment . Some garages ask to see the car - I have never been asked for this .

 

[RMS]

With electronic keys , at least , it is possible to de-authorise any missing keys from the car's ECU so that they no longer work .

i hope they have done this

 

[reggie musson]

Always use mercedes for replacement keys

I ovoided purchasing a spare key from Mercedes due to the cost and thought I would be clever and got a chrome key for my W209 from some independent guys who only supply keys for Mercedes for only £195.
He arrived at my home address, did what he had to do and charged me £190 but with no key blade.
Got a blank key blade for a few pounds from ebay and as yet still trying to find someone able to cut it.
Anyway after a week the boot lid release button on the key stopped working so after contacting them several times they came round a month later and all was well untill he went then the problem returned and for the last month been trying to get him back again.
I now wish I just went to Mercedes as the extra few £s well worth it and would have saved me phoneing his expensive mobile.

Thanks for reading this long and drawn out saga which is still going on

 

[Martinjs]

Sorted

New key provided - f.o.c. as promised - all other keys disabled, so the only two that work are the two that I have.

Glad I wasn't paying - at £227!!!

Note to self - never lose either key!!