I have made a duplicate of my car key ( 2001 E320) and I want to know if the key (reprogrammed used key) is original; manufactured legitimately by Mercedes or an authorized manufacturer. I didn't order one directly from the company, because it will take time to receive it.
And I want to know if this is legal and if the company sells new programmable keys.
Since the Marecedes "Smart Keys" are proprietary, only Mercedes's manufactoring partners make them; since they're programmed with electronic codes only Mercedes makes them and they're very protective over who they'll give a key to, since a blank key will program itself to any compatible Mercedes and become the key for that car.
This is why I really wouldn't recommend ever getting a key except from the dealer (and I'd want it in writing that if your key doesn't work you get a refund).
The key should look like one of the following models depending on year:
There's a newer model I'll try and get a picture of too. Which model it is doesn't matter as long as the internal bits work. You'll need the metal blade "emergency key" too, which is just a standard laser cut key, but it needs to fit into the fob so you need the right part number; if you have the wrong emergency key it won't fit into the fob and without fitting them together you can't put the fob on a keychain.
I'd be leery of this deal, but if they do in fact have one of the above key fobs, unprogrammed, the only thing that matters is that it works in your car. If there are "fake" keys out there, they won't work.
If it's a chipped key, the duplicate is probably not going to start the car, but it should open any mechanical locks the original did.
I don't know any way to tell a duplicate key from an original, chipped or not, unless the duplicate is obviously cut from a generic blank. If you got a new key from a dealer, it will possibly be identical. I suppose though, for an 11 year old vehicle such as yours, the replacement part might be a generic part and might be different from the one you have.
I don't see why making a copy of a key to a vehicle you legally own would be illegal, but I'm in the US and I'm not a lawyer.
You can possibly get a replacement key from a source other than the vehicle manufacturer, but if it's a chipped key, it's possible it will have to be associated with your vehicle. The association process, if necessary, could require hardware an independent shop might not have, you might end up at a dealer. If no association process is necessary, the key (if chipped) will probably still need to be ordered for your VIN.
