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VWBusMan1
Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
| Getting a door key for my '78 300CD...
Searched for a similar thead and could not find. I have 3 "valet" keys per the prior owner, hence, I am not able to open the passenger door from the outside. I there a simple solution for this like filing out a position on the keys OR do I need to go to the dealer and have a new key made?
Would much rather give my business to somebody on PointedThree if I could.
Thanks much, Mark |
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Roch207
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Palmetto State
Vehicle(s): 2005 E320 CDI, 2010 Silverado 2500HD
Posts: 3749
| RE: Getting a door key for my '78 300CD...
I have found this works pretty good.
 (pic13030.jpg)
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 pic13030.jpg (27KB - 2 downloads)
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BenzDieselTuner
Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
| Re: Getting a door key for my '78 300CD...
i'v never had do get a new key from the dealer yet, but i'v HEARD that its only like 20 bucks???? |
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ForcedInduction
Regular
Date registered: Sep 2006
Location: Federal Heights, CO
Vehicle(s): 1980 240D 3.0VNT
Posts: 89
| RE: Getting a door key for my '78 300CD...
I got a new key through the dealer, laser cut using my VIN code. It was about $25 after tax. I had to bring my photo ID and proof of ownership.
It took about 4 days to get shipped in. While the whole experience with the dealer was great, the key head is a cheap piece of cr@p. I broke off the plastic head within two months of use. I fixed it by
filling the head with super glue and letting it dry onto the metal key overnight.
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gregschultz
Date registered: Jun 2006
Location: Roswell, GA
Vehicle(s): '86 300GD; 08 ML 320 cdi; 05 E320cdi
| RE: Getting a door key for my '78 300CD...
A good friend of mine drove my (grey market) g-wagen ('86 280GE) for a month or so while his car was getting a new engine. To repay my kindness, he contacted the local dealer (RBM of Atlanta) and ordered a new key. It was a bit difficult because he wanted to suprise me with it as a Christmas gift - so the dealer asked for confirmation from my wife (her name is also on the title) and proof that we were the owners. There was a big "festoosh" because it was a grey market car with a "non-standard" vin. Ultimately, though, he paid $90 and they provided a key. (how is it that forcedinduction got it for $25?) Kind of expensive for the peace of mind of having a 2nd key! And, I had to go to the dealer to pick it up - another goat rodeo because the dealer's parts people don't follow/know their own procedures, so I listened to the partsboy tell me why having a grey market vehicle is evil and quiz me closely about who exactly ordered the key from whom ("no, we don't put the received parts in the system by your name or the name of the person who ordered it" uh-huh, right). So I left, with the promise that they'd call me when it turned up.....or was it that it really never arrived....or.... . Anyway, they called me right as I pulled in my driveway to tell me that they found it.... or it was suddenly teleported from some center in Dallas...or.....
So, you get my drift. You'll order it from the dealer (have your vin and proof of ownership with you) and it will either be reasonably priced or stupid priced and the parts guy will either be efficient or not.
But, you'll get a key.
Order 2. It's so exciting, I'd only want to do it once in a lifetime.
Edited by gregschultz 3/14/2007 2:43 PM
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ForcedInduction
Regular
Date registered: Sep 2006
Location: Federal Heights, CO
Vehicle(s): 1980 240D 3.0VNT
Posts: 89
| RE: Getting a door key for my '78 300CD...
gregschultz - 3/15/2007 12:42 PM A good friend of mine drove my (grey market ) g-wagen ('86 280GE ) for a month or so ... Ultimately, though, he paid $90 and they provided a key. (how is it that forcedinduction got it for $25?) Probably because mine isn't a grey market car. |
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Ed Mclass
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Vehicle(s): 1958 180a, 2010 GLK, 2000 G 500, 2005 SLK 350
Posts: 1215
| Re: Getting a door key for my '78 300CD...
The 1986 280 GE key is the key used in several sedans of the same vintage. $90 is steep! |
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gregschultz
Date registered: Jun 2006
Location: Roswell, GA
Vehicle(s): '86 300GD; 08 ML 320 cdi; 05 E320cdi
| Re: Getting a door key for my '78 300CD...
Yes, it is. The keys are laser cut in a central facility, for the US, and then shipped to the requesting dealer. My guess is that different dealers have different ideas about what their margins need to be for different services. I've lived in other parts of the country and, because I've owned Benz's for 30 years, had lots of interaction with many different dealers. I don't judge the brand by this one alone.....of course as I get ready to buy my next, new one, I will drive an extra hour to visit the dealer that is further away. That's the only way I know of to vote on the issue! |
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Boneheaddoctor
W123 Host
Date registered: Jun 2006
Location: Hells half acre (Northern VA)
Vehicle(s): '79 300SD, '83 300D, '75 Harley-Davidson Chopper
Posts: 310
| Re: Getting a door key for my '78 300CD...
I got TWO copies of my master key based on my VIN number for $25. I only had the Valet key when I got my car as well. Thats a pair not just one and thats at the stealership. |
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Nino
Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
| RE: Getting a door key for my '78 300CD...
The valet key opens the passenger door in my CD. However, I have gotten keys from the stealership, called first, they explained what I needed to bring. Title, license, something else too, first born maybe? I was there at least an hour. Joked with other folks there "swat team may be on it's way, be careful on your way out!" Anyway, they sent me the new keys, for an extra $4.00, around $15 each.  |
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Boneheaddoctor
W123 Host
Date registered: Jun 2006
Location: Hells half acre (Northern VA)
Vehicle(s): '79 300SD, '83 300D, '75 Harley-Davidson Chopper
Posts: 310
| Re: Getting a door key for my '78 300CD...
I definitely am kicking myself for waiting so long to get replacement Master keys for my W123. Was far less painful or expensive than I expected it to be. For any of you missing one key or the other to go order a replacement. Assuming you don't have mismatched locks, then you will HAVE to see a locksmith is you do. |
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123Guy
Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
| RE: Getting a door key for my '78 300CD...
All of the MB keys and lock cylinders are cut in Fort Worth TX and a good dealer is priceless. Yesterday on the way into work I went by the local MB dealer, with title and driver's licenseand ordered a new lock cylinder for my 300CD - it was going to be $100, but with my MB Club membership discount it was $80 and it comes with a new key as well. The reason it comes with a key is that they make the key to your cars VIN code, then make the cylinder from the key. I picked it all up at the dealer on the way home this evening.
No pain, no strain - the parts guy even took the time to explain how to remove the old cylinder with a paper clip.
Some dealers are better than others. |
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Boneheaddoctor
W123 Host
Date registered: Jun 2006
Location: Hells half acre (Northern VA)
Vehicle(s): '79 300SD, '83 300D, '75 Harley-Davidson Chopper
Posts: 310
| Re: Getting a door key for my '78 300CD...
Thats definitely better than having mismatched locks on your car. |
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chad300tdt
Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
| RE: Getting a door key for my '78 300CD...
I added a keyless entry using an actuator on the driver door that uses the existing vacuum system to operate the other locks.
It cost $30 on ebay and now I don't have to use the keys to unlock and lock.
I only had 1 valet key and no owner keys when I bought my 85 300td so I also got 2 owner keys made at my local MB dealer for $24 (each key is $12) with no hassles and it took 2 days from when I ordered them. I got them to sign my High Mileage Award application while I was there. My visit with the dealer was a good one since the guys that work there like the older MB's.
Even if you get all your keys and locks working, I would install a keyless entry, it saves your locks, is easier than using the keys and is an easy upgrade that is a cool feature to have on an older MB.  |
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