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gerryvz
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2014
Location: Annapolis, MD
Vehicle(s): 1994 G320, 1989 560SEC, 1994 E500 (W124)
Posts: 336
| New G320 owner - gerryvz in Houston
Hello all,
Just wanted to introduce myself to the forum - longtime MB owner, but first time G owner. I recently purchased a 1994 (registered - December 1994 manufactured) G320 with 90,000 miles in the SF Bay Area, brilliant silver 744 and otherwise a stock Europa 463. I live in the Houston, TX area, and am a complete newbie with regard to the 463s. I own and operate a web forum for owners of the 1991-1995 W124-based 500E and E500 models.
I have been spending the past few weeks lurking on the forum and methodically going through all of the threads and posts to find information that is relevant to my truck. I have learned a lot and it seems like a really great forum!
I have a couple of specific questions that I'll address in separate threads devoted to the topic, but wanted to make a quick report here on the topic of the first-generation IR "key" for the 1994-1996 G models.
My truck only came with one of the original IR fobs, which seems to only work intermittently. I was successful at times in using the IR capability to lock and unlock the truck, but it was inconsistent. I decided to try to get additional keys made so that I could more reliably use the remote lock/unlock capability.
Some of the threads here have reported that MB dealers can obtain and provide keys to owners. I decided to take another tack, and contacted my friend Tom Hanson at the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center in Irvine, CA. Tom runs the parts operation there. We spent some time on the phone and he looked up the VIN of the truck, and found it, and was able to successfully order a new IR key for the vehicle. The list price was well over $300 !!
The key is supposed to take around 2-3 weeks to obtain, and in terms of documentation Tom required a scan of my vehicle title and driver's license for his records (I scanned to a PDF and e-mailed to him). I will post a follow-up here when I obtain the key and report how it works and whether it is more reliable than the one I have in hand.
I've attached a photo of my G320, taken high up in the eastern Sierra Mountains of California.
Cheers,
Gerry
 (g-wagen1_small.jpg)
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 g-wagen1_small.jpg (244KB - 0 downloads)
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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| RE: New G320 owner - gerryvz in Houston
Looks like your "friend" took a bit of advantage of you. MSRP for the key is $252, and my dealer will sell it for $188. |
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gerryvz
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2014
Location: Annapolis, MD
Vehicle(s): 1994 G320, 1989 560SEC, 1994 E500 (W124)
Posts: 336
| RE: New G320 owner - gerryvz in Houston
DUTCH - 5/29/2014 10:03 AM
Looks like your "friend" took a bit of advantage of you. MSRP for the key is $252, and my dealer will sell it for $188. Hi Dutch,
It is possible that you may be referring to one of the later IR keys for the DAS2b or DAS3 systems (the ones with the keychain loop on the outside of the housing, which mine doesn't have). Each key has a different part number and they are not all the same physically.
Also, I didn't say that Tom was actually _charging_ me that price for the key -- I was just mentioning what the current list price is. I am getting a good discount that puts things very nicely in the ballpark you quote above. |
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amg463
Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2013
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Vehicle(s): 1994 G300
Posts: 217
| Re: New G320 owner - gerryvz in Houston
It's not that the key works intermittently, it's that the key requires very precise use. The device it transmits with is the rear view mirror from what I can tell. You must always hold the key up and near the glass with direct sight of the mirror for it to work properly. It does look odd raising a key to eye level to open a modern car, but you'll get the hang of it soon enough. |
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DesertStar
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: San Diego, CA USA
Vehicle(s): 85-280GE/95-G320/08-G500
Posts: 2156
| RE: New G320 owner - gerryvz in Houston
I just purchased a key from the dealer here for my 1995 G320 a couple weeks ago and it was 334.00. It is new flip key with new transponder (first generation). I went through the exact procedure as you are. Took 1.5-2weeks and works like a charm. Maybe 2nd generation keys are less money ? Its already done ...moving on to next project. Mike
Edited by DesertStar 5/29/2014 2:05 PM
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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| RE: New G320 owner - gerryvz in Houston
DesertStar - 5/29/2014 2:03 PM
I just purchased a key from the dealer here for my 1995 G320 a couple weeks ago and it was 334.00. It is new flip key with new transponder (first generation ). Mike
My 1999/2000 G500 key is the flip key with the IR transponder; and that is where I got my pricing.
Give me a VIN, and I'll see what my dealer would charge. However, he won't sell it to you without being able to physically examine the car. |
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DesertStar
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: San Diego, CA USA
Vehicle(s): 85-280GE/95-G320/08-G500
Posts: 2156
| RE: New G320 owner - gerryvz in Houston
DUTCH - 5/29/2014 11:50 AM DesertStar - 5/29/2014 2:03 PM I just purchased a key from the dealer here for my 1995 G320 a couple weeks ago and it was 334.00. It is new flip key with new transponder (first generation ). Mike My 1999/2000 G500 key is the flip key with the IR transponder; and that is where I got my pricing. Give me a VIN, and I'll see what my dealer would charge. However, he won't sell it to you without being able to physically examine the car. Your key is 3rd generation and I do remember the dealer telling me I had the more costly key...heck our 2008 sparekey was less expensive. For the record and future searches on this subject I am including a quote I saved from Vlad (fourbyfourclub.com) here concerning the different keys: " Between 1992 and 0/94 you was able to buy G-Class with a factory installed infrared lock system with immobilizer or install this option on a Mercedes Service center. If you car come with infrared lock system from the factory this option stays on you vechicle data card and the numbers of you locks and infrared control unit are on a file in Stuttgart. You can order the spare remotes and spare keys.
If you install this system on a Authorized Service Center it is a dealer responsibility to do all paper work and send the new lock system numbers with you VIN number to: Dept. VP/MAM2, 70322 Stuttgart.
If the Europe did that paper work properly and sent paper work to Germany, you are in file, and can order spare remote (up to 8 remotes can be added to a locking system by the manufacturer) for your car.
You can NOT buy the key or remote on eBay and synchronize it with you car infrared control unit. This is common mistake. It is NOT possible to decode the transmitting signal from remote. If the remote operates outside of reception range more that 250 times, sometimes than you change remote batteries, remote stop working and you have to resynchronize your remote. But only the remote that belongs to your car.
This system on your car up (to 11/1994) has an electrical output to activate the immobilizer relay (open circuit for the starter) The car CAN NOT be started if it is unlocked with a mechanical key! It is easy to check : open your car with mechanical key ad try to start the car. But it case your remote stop working completely you can always bypass this relay.
The next generation of infrared lock system on a G with an infrared receiver unit in a rear view mirror was on a cars from 04/95 to 08/96.
Finally, the last generation with Drive Authorization System with transponder coil in an ignition lock (from 09/1996 to 2000), but it is a different story.
You have to check your vehicle Data Card . If the infrared lock option in your Data Card you are able to order new remotes from Mercedes.
We have a great experience to install radio remotes on an older G-Class and other MB vehicles (see picture) These remotes looks and feels as an original remotes , easy to adapt to Mercedes lock system and relatively cheap.
Best regards,
Vlad."
Edited by DesertStar 5/29/2014 3:34 PM
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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| RE: New G320 owner - gerryvz in Houston
DesertStar - 5/29/2014 3:34 PM
Your key is 3rd generation and I do remember the dealer telling me I had the more costly key...heck our 2008 sparekey was less expensive.
It would still be interesting to have a VIN so we can see what my dealer would have charged.
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DesertStar
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: San Diego, CA USA
Vehicle(s): 85-280GE/95-G320/08-G500
Posts: 2156
| RE: New G320 owner - gerryvz in Houston
DUTCH - 5/29/2014 12:50 PM DesertStar - 5/29/2014 3:34 PM
Your key is 3rd generation and I do remember the dealer telling me I had the more costly key...heck our 2008 sparekey was less expensive.
It would still be interesting to have a VIN so we can see what my dealer would have charged.
I will send you a PM |
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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| RE: New G320 owner - gerryvz in Houston
DesertStar - 5/29/2014 5:11 PM DUTCH - 5/29/2014 12:50 PM DesertStar - 5/29/2014 3:34 PM
Your key is 3rd generation and I do remember the dealer telling me I had the more costly key...heck our 2008 sparekey was less expensive.
It would still be interesting to have a VIN so we can see what my dealer would have charged.
I will send you a PM Thanks for the VIN PM. Interesting. The EPC shows the same part number (A.463.760.14.06) for your 1995 G320 as for my 1999/2000 G500. Pricing as posted earlier in this thread.
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J.R.
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Southern Maryland
Vehicle(s): 00 G500, 09 911 4S, 11 Cayenne S, 86 280GE (sold)
Posts: 828
| RE: New G320 owner - gerryvz in Houston
Check the fob batteries
http://www.pointedthree.com/disc/forums/showthread.php?tid=13039&po... |
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DesertStar
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: San Diego, CA USA
Vehicle(s): 85-280GE/95-G320/08-G500
Posts: 2156
| RE: New G320 owner - gerryvz in Houston
DUTCH - 5/29/2014 3:41 PM DesertStar - 5/29/2014 5:11 PM DUTCH - 5/29/2014 12:50 PM DesertStar - 5/29/2014 3:34 PM
Your key is 3rd generation and I do remember the dealer telling me I had the more costly key...heck our 2008 sparekey was less expensive.
It would still be interesting to have a VIN so we can see what my dealer would have charged.
I will send you a PM Thanks for the VIN PM. Interesting. The EPC shows the same part number (A.463.760.14.06) for your 1995 G320 as for my 1999/2000 G500. Pricing as posted earlier in this thread.
The part number on my invoice is A 463 760 05 06. The dealer had to look at my old key to verify what type of electronics was inside...something about the color of the circuit board? |
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texas993
Member
Date registered: Oct 2013
Location: Dallas, TX
Vehicle(s): 2005 G500, 1995 E300D, 1987 560SL
Posts: 24
| Re: New G320 owner - gerryvz in Houston
Wow, did this thread take a wrong turn!
Welcome Gerry! I hope that you will do some of your HOW TO posts for the benefit of this group. I am looking forward to seeing your G! |
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DesertStar
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: San Diego, CA USA
Vehicle(s): 85-280GE/95-G320/08-G500
Posts: 2156
| Re: New G320 owner - gerryvz in Houston
texas993 - 5/29/2014 6:19 PM Wow, did this thread take a wrong turn! Welcome Gerry! I hope that you will do some of your HOW TO posts for the benefit of this group. I am looking forward to seeing your G! Sorry I failed to say how nice your G looks and that we all look forward to informative posts like those often authored on the 500E forum. I remember seeing your new G when it was offered for sale and thought that was one clean looking G320. Mike P.S. My new keys ( I purchased 2) works like a charm and I do not see any reason your new key from the dealer wouldn't...all I had to do was synchronize as described in the owners manual.
Edited by DesertStar 5/29/2014 10:05 PM
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gerryvz
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2014
Location: Annapolis, MD
Vehicle(s): 1994 G320, 1989 560SEC, 1994 E500 (W124)
Posts: 336
| Re: New G320 owner - gerryvz in Houston
Tom ordered one new key for me and if it's all good I'll get a second one. The original that I have, I confirmed today has a wonky main button. I will get the part number from Tom on Friday via e-mail and we can compare to the numbers posted above.
Indeed there were three generations of IR flip-key remotes/systems used up through about 2000ish, based on my research.
@texas993: I'm not worried about the thread taking a wrong turn. Hopefully I can add some value to the forum over time on maintenance and repair tasks, though it looks like SOME stuff is already posted. I may even start a sub-forum for G-models on the 500E site (similar to what I did with the W126).
I did speak for some time with Russ at Europa today about my truck. He seems to think it was specially imported and not part of the "official" run of new Gs that Europa did, based on the truck's lack of a sunroof which he says most all of their "new" imports had. So he is doing some investigation in their records to see if my rig is in there. He said it could also be a truck that someone else imported and botched, which went to Europa to complete the importation/conversion process. My truck did come with paper manuals with a Europa sticker in them.
The CarFax records show the truck was imported in the late 1999-early 2000 time frame and had around 38K miles on it when it came into the country here in Houston for federalization. Then it appears to have spent its entire life on the San Francisco Peninsula in the San Carlos area. Also appears to be 1, perhaps two owners at most.
The investigation continues.....
Cheers,
Gerry
Edited by gerryvz 5/30/2014 12:33 AM
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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| RE: New G320 owner - gerryvz in Houston
DesertStar - 5/29/2014 7:07 PM
The part number on my invoice is A 463 760 05 06. The dealer had to look at my old key to verify what type of electronics was inside...something about the color of the circuit board?
MSRP is $334. My dealer sells it for $249. |
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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| Re: New G320 owner - gerryvz in Houston
texas993 - 5/29/2014 9:19 PM
Wow, did this thread take a wrong turn!
Wrong turn? How so? |
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gerryvz
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2014
Location: Annapolis, MD
Vehicle(s): 1994 G320, 1989 560SEC, 1994 E500 (W124)
Posts: 336
| Re: New G320 owner - gerryvz in Houston
DUTCH - 5/30/2014 6:45 AM
texas993 - 5/29/2014 9:19 PM
Wow, did this thread take a wrong turn!
Wrong turn? How so? 
Cheers,
Gerry |
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Brent
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: SW Colorado USA
Vehicle(s): '13 Wolfsburg GTI
Posts: 1754
| Re: New G320 owner - gerryvz in Houston
amg463 - 5/29/2014 12:01 PM
It's not that the key works intermittently, it's that the key requires very precise use. The device it transmits with is the rear view mirror from what I can tell. You must always hold the key up and near the glass with direct sight of the mirror for it to work properly. It does look odd raising a key to eye level to open a modern car, but you'll get the hang of it soon enough.
THIS^^^^ is the main reason you are having key issues. It is an early system and you must be pointing the key at the rearview mirror to get it to work from any distance. |
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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| Re: New G320 owner - gerryvz in Houston
gerryvz - 5/30/2014 8:18 AM
DUTCH - 5/30/2014 6:45 AM
texas993 - 5/29/2014 9:19 PM
Wow, did this thread take a wrong turn!
Wrong turn? How so? I think he was referring to the fact that this thread was originally a n00b new member self-intro thread and it turned into a debate on IR keys and the assumption that the n00b got fleeced by the MB Classic Center.
Cheers,
Gerry
SOP around here, and definitely not a wrong turn.  |
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