Swag-brand ignition lock barrell (tumbler)?

[jaymanek]

The ignition barrel on my latest 036 is about to fail. I have removed the barrell.

MB no longer supplied keyed barrells. To order a factory key & barrell is a PITA as I dont have my reg document yet (just imported)

There are Febi & Swag available on the internet. Febi I have used before and they are ok... How are the Swag ones? Any experience?

 

[gsxr]

Jay, what part number are you looking for? The E500E uses 126-460-02-04 as the VIN-coded lock tumbler. I just checked with my dealer and they said it's still available, plenty in stock.

You don't want to mess with aftermarket tumblers because the key won't match the doors... PITA to have 2 keys. Or at least, a lot bigger PITA than waiting for your documents and ordering the correct VIN-coded tumbler...

 

[jaymanek]

Really! Awesome... i tried to order for a W126 soem time back and assumed it would be the same number.
i may need to use the swag one for a few weeks to get me by...
When the registration paperwork arrives I can order a chassis coded tumbler with luck.

 

[gsxr]

Yup, the same p/n is used on most 126 chassis also, unless perhaps yours was an early 126? Dunno if there is a difference between early & late 126. Double-check the p/n in the EPC.

 

[jaymanek]

May not have even been a W126 come to think of it. When I buy a car, first thing I do is change the ignition tumbler and order a bunch of spare keys... one day soon they will sop supporting us with these items, so best to have a few keys...

 

[gsxr]

May not have even been a W126 come to think of it. When I buy a car, first thing I do is change the ignition tumbler and order a bunch of spare keys... one day soon they will sop supporting us with these items, so best to have a few keys...

I do the exact same thing, and you gave me a mild heart attack when you said they were NLA!

 

[jaymanek]

The w123 is deffo not available any more...

 

[gerryvz]

Yup, the same p/n is used on most 126 chassis also, unless perhaps yours was an early 126? Dunno if there is a difference between early & late 126. Double-check the p/n in the EPC.

Yes, there is a difference between the early and late W126. The late (Gen 2, post-1985) W126 uses same as the 124. The earlier 126 models used the skinnier key, akin to that used on the W201s.

May not have even been a W126 come to think of it. When I buy a car, first thing I do is change the ignition tumbler and order a bunch of spare keys... one day soon they will sop supporting us with these items, so best to have a few keys...

Always a good idea to have extra keys, though this has not been an issue up to now on the W124 and W126. I have extra drivers's door and ignition tumblers for my E500. I need to get off my butt and get same for my SEC, if they are still available....

 

[gerryvz]

The w123 is deffo not available any more...

Dave's Unkie Kent sells the Meyle replacement tumblers for the W123, and I think makes a good business of it.....

 

[JC220]

A friend of mine here in Northern Ireland is a top car key cutting specialist. I get w124 keys cut for cost price just as he knows me and ordered a bag of 12x new key blanks for my motley fleet's use.

 

[gsxr]

A friend of mine here in Northern Ireland is a top car key cutting specialist. I get w124 keys cut for cost price just as he knows me and ordered a bag of 12x new key blanks for my motley fleet's use.

Joe, are the keys brass (what I've always seen from locksmiths), or steel (OE MB)?

 

[gerryvz]

with @gsxr’s question.

 

[JC220]

Joe, are the keys brass (what I've always seen from locksmiths), or steel (OE MB)?

with @gsxr’s question.

I think they are a brass / bronze type material yes you can see it where the key is cut. They serve as spare sets only anyway in the event I ever lose a key.

 

[gerryvz]

Probably OK if used STRICTLY as a backup key, but getting the factory, steel "HUF" keys (for those cars so equipped) is really the way to go. They are not horribly expensive to buy replacements (at least here in the US) and generally the service is within 1-3 days. All keys here in the US are cut at the MB parts facility in the Dallas, TX area.

I recommend getting two factory spares for each car.

 

[jaymanek]

Just to update, I did manage to order and have received a new barrell from Mercedes and some spare keys.

How easy is the W124 barrel to change! Much easier than I remember on the W126 and W123.

Unfortunately I have found that the drivers door lock is not original as my key doesnt work... These are showing as NLA.
Luckily I have installed a remote closure alarm so not too much of an issue.