[Mercedes] Duplicating a key for a 2015 ML 250

Fri Dec 5 11:34:13 EST 2025

Was just reading about newer BMW EVs. Apparently EVs have a pyrotechnic fuse that fires upon detecting a collsion, like an airbag does. When this fuse blows it disconnects the high-voltage battery, which I guess makes sense.

Problem is replacing it. While it's technically a replacable part, it's inside a fully-welded assembly. Also replacing it involves reflashing the computers, with a risk for bricking them if a complicated and exacting series of steps is not followed. And there are several other expensive landmines that can be stepped upon.

All in all it's about a $5,000 job to replace that fuse plus the shop needs to spend about $25,000 on diagnostic systems to be able to reset everything properly. That's on top of any collision damage, so anything that triggers that fuse likely totals the car.

The article uses BMW as an example but implies this is a problem with European cars in general, so I assume new MB models might have similar concerns.

https://evclinic.eu/2025/12/04/2021-phev-bmw-ibmucp-21f37e-post-crash-recovery-when-eu-engineering-becomes-a-synonym-for-unrepairable-generating-waste/

On Fri, Dec 5, 2025, at 11:17, G Mann via Mercedes wrote:
> There is something in USA called the "lemon law".. which in concept says a
> car manufacturer is bound by law to make good on cars that they fail to
> support.
> The issue of holding a car owner hostage over a key, which without said
> key, structurally bricks a 4,000 lb. car, seems to me would and should fall
> under the principles of that law.
> I am not a lawyer, just a civilian that owns a bunch of cars, many that are
> Mercedes. So, I only offer that view as something worth exploring, as a
> "class action lawsuit" perhaps..[with damages and restitution as end
> result.]
> FWIW...
>
>
> On Fri, Dec 5, 2025 at 8:33 AM dan penoff.com via Mercedes <
> mercedes at okiebenz.com> wrote:
>
>> Beats me, ask Jono. He’s the one that told me about the keys.
>>
>> You could try and get the latest “PAC Key Chart” that the dealers use to
>> identify what eys go with what model cars. I’ve got one but it’s from 2014.
>> It does refer to “DAS4” keys for later model cars.
>>
>> -D
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> > On Dec 5, 2025, at 8:26 AM, Kaleb Striplin via Mercedes <
>> mercedes at okiebenz.com> wrote:
>> >
>> > With that said, when did they start with these DAS keys? Wouid this 2012
>> w212 have that?
>> >
>> > Sent from my iPhone
>> >
>> >> On Dec 5, 2025, at 9:24 AM, dan penoff.com via Mercedes <
>> mercedes at okiebenz.com> wrote:
>> >>
>> >> Independent MB shop I know says the keys for Andrew’s car are “DAS”
>> keys and cannot be duplicated. They also said the last one a customer got
>> they know of for a similar vehicle was last year, and it was over $800 from
>> the stealership.
>> >>
>> >> -D
>> >>
>> >>> On Dec 4, 2025, at 2:34 PM, Curley McLain via Mercedes <
>> mercedes at okiebenz.com> wrote:
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> https://www.ebay.com/itm/145462576717?fits=ake%3AMercedes-Benz%7Codel%3AML350&_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20201210111451%26meid%3Dc2d00ab0eae74abf91fcf29c3d133a74%26pid%3D101196%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D387147935919%26itm%3D145462576717%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2332490%26algv%3DSimplAMLv5PairwiseWebWithBBEV2bAndUBSourceDemotionWithUltimatelyBoughtOfCoviewV1%26brand%3DUnbranded&_trksid=p2332490.c101196.m2219&itmprp=cksum%3A145462576717c2d00ab0eae74abf91fcf29c3d133a74%7Cenc%3AAQAKAAABQKf%252BZDynwIBzPFOUXzsYfl6V00AKQ%252B%252B7P%252BQrUe%252FaNcA%252F6g5%252BKJDCW80yl3sDyiOtDc%252Bwp382udDvnYxF7ZDSjYqJm5GyOUkm75MegRvdMcZOp66%252FyDudCANRlWAoDDDX9X%252Ffwxo8OfcAr8EjbTalbTEynUaakQwPiTDYj1I%252BcTCIG%252Fu3a9jdWU1INp8EfFIlsLikvLnNWDQreTsumitarXH0cPbW%252F37gIFPO7fzls66Vknc8ipXlHKTvwog4jl7ArTsrA%252BFjLl95S5tc9oyYME8sUpeENVquvuDDRBXYqJ%252Bv03EISTT9vu6N2FdPAPzvHVaLX8fUdvN04oXohIhiYUqg%252Frv80fzTX4euIK5XofH4%252BpYfa6s9lWscdA3vnevjiTHLI5ipDn16N%252BATLMm83enJM9TBskT15NIBWHQRwfkW%7Campid%3APL_CLK%7Cclp%3A2332490&itmmeta=01KBNM7YFPTPPAK0J0YP1NNSPH
>> >>>
>> >>> Sez it is correct.   I have no idea.
>> >>>
>> >>> Check with local lockschmidts to see if they can program it.    I have
>> one here that will for $75 cash.   Out there, I'd expect you will have to
>> pay ~$150-250 for programming.
>> >>>
>> >>> If it works,  you will owe me 12 jars of cat S___ pepper jelly.
>> >>>> dan penoff.com via Mercedes <mailto:mercedes at okiebenz.com>
>> >>>> December 4, 2025 at 3:21 PM
>> >>>> Doubt it. It’s considered a “safety/security” part, meaning that you
>> would have ot provide all of your personal and car information to them, and
>> they wouldn’t be able to test the key. You know all too well the pitfalls
>> of tryign to get a key on your own -you’ve said your local stealership
>> won’t cooperate - at least you did in the past.
>> >>>>
>> >>>> I’m betting MB of Laredo won’t sell you a key, programmed or
>> otherwise.
>> >>>>
>> >>>> -D
>> >>>>
>> >>>>
>> >>>
>> >>> --
>> >>>
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>> >>>
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>> >
>> >
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