I tihnk I'm going to buy that 1983 300SD I've been pondering over. Problem is that it doesn't have a key. The owner's been trying to find it but they have no idea where it is. What options are there for getting this thing to start? I'm mostly just planning to pull the motor at some point, but I'd like to see if it runs, shifts, etc. before I start taking it apart so I know what parts are good and what are bad.

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2010 Mercedes E350 4Matic - 77k miles
1986.5 Nissan D21 V6 4x4 - 276k miles
1987 Mercedes 190D 2.5 Turbo - 3??k miles
1983 Mercedes 300SD turbo parts car
2017 Honda CBR500R - 15k miles
2016 Suzuki GSX S1000 - 9k miles

I hesitate to suggest this, because things seem to be changing at Mercedes. But if you take the VIN to the dealer with proof of ownership, they can order a key. Otherwise, you are SOL. The only thing you could do is take out the trunk lock (if it's unlocked) and bring it to a locksmith. The trunk lock is the only lock you can pull without the key.

Replace the tumbler with new key but you’ll not like how much work it is without a key which allows the lock to disengage ,you have to drill the lock botton that locks the steering wheel , this requires a good set of drill bits and about 40 minutes of drilling but doable.Its located along the side of the column halfway down.

Alright. I'll try going the dealer route. Local locksmiths can't deal with Mercedes keys (already tried with my 190D) so the dealer is my best bet. They're an hour from here so hopefully they don't make me do a bunch of running back and forth. The doors are unlocked already at least so getting into it isn't a problem.

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2010 Mercedes E350 4Matic - 77k miles
1986.5 Nissan D21 V6 4x4 - 276k miles
1987 Mercedes 190D 2.5 Turbo - 3??k miles
1983 Mercedes 300SD turbo parts car
2017 Honda CBR500R - 15k miles
2016 Suzuki GSX S1000 - 9k miles

What do you mean things seem to be changing at Mercedes?

For as long as I know a vin and proofs of ownership were required.

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Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (116k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (267k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K), 1985 300D (233K), 1993 300D 2.5T (338k), 1993 300SD (291k)

I remember a member mentioning.. That this key service may be stopped for older vehicles. I guess the only way to really know is to try to order one or phone a dealer.

If all the poster wants is to start and examine the condition of the engine. A key is not required to start them.

I think it is short the right two terminals of the three on the fender apron up front. This gets the engine cranking. Remove the vacuum line to the injection pumps shut off as well. Otherwise the developing vacuum to it with the key in the present position will stop the fuel. After it starts.

Unfortunatly the steering still remains locked up. At the same time if you do not like the condition of the engine for some reason. You are not out the coin to buy the key and there is less of a wait.

If the dealer fails, try going through the Classic Center.

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Nosce Te Ipsum "Know thyself"

As Barry said, someone here mentioned that key services were no longer available for some older cars. It's information that's as trustworthy and specific as this board, so take it at that. Mercedes seems to be cutting the cord on a lot of these older models. Oddly, seemingly vital things like radiator hoses and exhaust parts are going NLA.

Offer a couple bucks more than a wrecking yard will take it as is.

Sixto
98 E320s swdan and wagon
02 C320 wagon

I tried getting a replacement cylinder and key for the 190e from the dealer. The parts were less than $100, but they said they would only sell it to me if I brought the car in and they did the swap. For $1500. I asked about bringing in the paperwork to get the parts rekeased, and they were firm about having to so the install. So I laughed, thanked them for being so helpful, and stuffed an aftermarket cylinder in.

I did the dealer route about six months ago for a 1983 300D. They required the title and my driver's license, both of which they photocopied. The do not do this work at the dealership, but rather send it out to be done (Stuttgart?). The process took about two weeks.

[QUOTE=I did the dealer route about six months ago for a 1983 300D. They required the title and my driver's license, both of which they photocopied. The do not do this work at the dealership, but rather send it out to be done (Stuttgart?). The process took about two weeks.[/QUOTE]


Two weeks? I've had to do this a couple of times. The last time was about 3 months ago. I called the
dealer, gave the vin and they told me my blanks (85 300TD) were still available. I faxed a copy of the title and my drivers license on Thursday and got the replacements in the mail the following Monday. I think they came from MB USA.
The parts guy was very clear that they can no longer get blanks for many older models, but they can tell you from the vin.
bk

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85 300TD

88 560SL

05 SL65 AMG

I doubt that providing this service for older car owners was that much of a pain for them. You where charged for the keys as well.

It is not like they were giving something away. I also do not think the demand would have been a load on them. Or that great.

I always though companies that supported their products longer as Mercedes has tried to do historically. Was good business from a customer relations standpoint.

For some time I have been hearing that the time parts are available for some brands is very short now. Something like after ten years dealers cannot get many of them.

True or not I do not know. I do see a trend where dealers do not want to service some of their older cars now very much. That may have something to do with their pricing structure for repairs. The bill for a car needing a fair amount of work could exceed its value easily as well I suppose.

I at my age. Have had to adjust to the way many things that where. Just are not any more. This applies to many things. It is just the way it is. and the trend logically will probably continue. Far too many overall changes impact the average people and their families the most.

I agree with Barry12345. MB used to have the reputation that if one of their
cars was still on the road, you could get parts. My guess is that philosophy changed during the less than successful marriage with Chrysler.

The cost for my replacement keys was $23.00 each. A little pricey but compared to just getting the plastic key heads for $15-$30 it may be a bargain.

An interesting aside. I had an 84 300SD that was totaled when I hit a deer. I thought I had sent all the keys with the tow truck driver, but came across one
a couple of weeks ago. I started looking at it more closely and realized the cut looked similar to the cut for my 300TD keys. I compared keys and they looked identical, so I tried the SD key in the TD ignition. It worked perfectly. I knew this was possible but had only seen it one other time in 35 years. I wish now I had kept one more key from the totaled SD. Oh well.
bk

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85 300TD

88 560SL

05 SL65 AMG

The fact that one key fit in another car tells me that something was pretty worn. Not that these cars are necessarily theft targets, but that’s somewhat scary.

__________________
Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (116k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (267k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K), 1985 300D (233K), 1993 300D 2.5T (338k), 1993 300SD (291k)