Does the C300 manual explain how to program a new key - Benzworld.org - Mercedes-Benz Discussion Forum

kfrosty · 10-26-2009, 02:13 PM

I'm purchasing a 09 from an individual. They are the second owner and didn't get a spare key nor were the factory manuals in the car.

They purchased a spare key from a dealer in FL and have it with the car but didn't pay to have it programmed as the dealer supposedly told them that the manual explains how to do this.

I'm in the process of trying to find the manuals but in calling 2 different Mercedes Dealerships I got told something completely different.

1) Wanted $230 for the key and $80 to program it. Wouldn't say anything about being able to do it via the manual.

2nd) Wants $225 for the key but said there is no programming. When you order one, the factory sends a key specific to the vin number. They just have to verify it works but they don't charge for that.

If that's the case, since Mercedes won't sell a key without a registration and driver's licence, the second key the seller has would seem to work.

At anyrate, if I don't line up a spare, my luck I'll lose the original the first week.

Does anybody for sure know how the process works and if the keys are programmable or not?

whkento · 10-26-2009, 09:30 PM

I'm pretty sure (98%) that we can not program the keys--it has to be done at the dealer. My wife broke one of ours and we had to pay about $230 for a new one.

Enjoy your new car and welcome to the forums.

Diesel Benz · 10-26-2009, 10:50 PM

Nothing to add to the comment on the keys but while waiting for a paper copy of the manual, why not read the pdf from MBUSA:
http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/data/p...350sport_1.pdf

Ron Jr · 10-27-2009, 03:40 AM

2nd AD was correct it comes preprogrammed so don't buy smart keys from E-Bay they can not be programmed for your car.

kfrosty · 10-27-2009, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whkento

I'm pretty sure (98%) that we can not program the keys--it has to be done at the dealer. My wife broke one of ours and we had to pay about $230 for a new one.

Enjoy your new car and welcome to the forums.

Thanks, I think you're right. What's irritating is one dealership I called was going to charge me $230 for the key and $80 to program it. That threw me off and now after finding an honest dealership and speaking with the person I bought my manual from, they verified the key is burnt at the manufacturer to the Vin number of the vehicle and can not be reprogrammed. The first dealer is charging customers $80 just to go out to the car and verify that the key works.

Thanks everyone for the replies.