2000 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Key Replacement

The 2000–2013 E-Class uses the same key setup, so everything on this page applies to those years too. The full picture is on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class key guide.

2000 Mercedes-Benz E-Class: key facts

Key type: Smart / proximity key
Push-to-start: No
Transponder chip: DAS3/FBS3 (infrared rolling-code SmartKey)
Programming: EEPROM
All keys lost: We can originate new keys on site

W210 FBS3 infrared SmartKey (Silca catalogs list W210 infrared remote keys). All-keys-lost is specialist EIS/EZS work — no dealer needed.

What kind of key does a 2000 E-Class use?

The 2000 E-Class is a W210 car. It uses the infrared SmartKey, which Mercedes built on its DAS3/FBS3 immobilizer system. The key talks to the car with an infrared, rolling-code signal. Each time it is used, the code changes, so the car will not accept a simple copy made on a generic duplicator.

One point trips people up. The word SmartKey sounds like push-to-start, but this model year is not that. There is no start button. The key itself is what the car checks, and it carries a mechanical backup key as well. That backup matters if the remote side of the fob stops responding, because the physical key can still be used to get into the car.

In practice this means a replacement key is a programming job as well as a cutting job. A blank that fits the lock but has not been introduced to the car will not start it. That is the main thing owners should know before they start looking for a quick copy.

Key family: DAS3/FBS3 infrared rolling-code SmartKey
Push-to-start: no
Mechanical backup key: yes
Programming method: EEPROM-based work on the car's electronics

Can you duplicate a key, or is this an all-keys-lost job?

For this setup, you do not need an original key in hand for us to make a new one. Having a working key makes the job simpler, but it is not a requirement. Losing your only key does not mean the car is stuck.

If you lost every key, we treat it as specialist EIS/EZS work. The EIS (also called EZS) is the electronic ignition switch, the module that decides whether a key is valid. Programming here is done at the EEPROM level, and it does not require NASTF/SDRM access. That is why a dealer is not a necessary step for this car. We handle it ourselves, from a storefront in Westwood or with a mobile van that comes to the car.

You call (213) 577-1366 and tell us the car's year, model and what you still have: a key, part of a key, or nothing.
We confirm the car by VIN and in person, and check that it is the infrared key system we expect.
We work on the ignition electronics and program a new SmartKey to the car.
We cut the mechanical backup key and test the remote and the ignition before you leave.
If you want a spare, we can program it in the same visit. Many people do this once they find out how much of the job is setup.

Locked out or need a locksmith now?

We answer around the clock, every day of the year.

Call (213) 577-1366

Why does a W210 key stop working?

These cars are old enough that key trouble often comes from wear, not from anyone doing anything wrong. The failures we see described for this model fall into four groups:

A failed or worn EIS/EZS. The key is not recognized, or it will not turn in the ignition.
Aging SmartKey electronics that no longer sync with the car.
A dead fob battery. The remote buttons usually fail first, and the car may still start.
Cracked key shells and worn buttons on the chrome-style key.

What affects the cost of replacing this key?

We don't quote numbers on a web page, because the real answer depends on your car. Here is what moves the cost, in rough order of importance:

Whether you have a working key. A spare made from a good key is usually the more economical route compared with starting from nothing. Whether the problem is the key or the ignition module. A dead battery or a cracked shell is a lighter job than a failed EIS/EZS, which has to be tested and may need more work. How many keys you want programmed, since adding a second key during the same visit is more efficient than coming back later. And where the car is. A mobile visit involves travel, while bringing the car to our Westwood storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd does not.

We tell you what applies to your car before the work starts, so the cost is not a surprise afterward.

What we confirm before we start, and why call us

The data we hold for the 2000 E-Class infrared SmartKey is verified, but a 22-year-old Mercedes may have had its ignition or key replaced before. So we confirm by VIN and by looking at the car and the key in person before we promise a specific approach. If something does not match, we say so plainly.

We have been in business since 1987. We are one company with a storefront and our own mobile vans, with no dispatch middlemen between you and the person doing the work, and David oversees the work. We serve 140 cities across Los Angeles and Ventura counties. California requires locksmith companies to hold a BSIS LCO license, and you should ask any locksmith, including us, for it before they begin.

For other years and engines, see the E-Class overview or the wider Mercedes-Benz key guide. If you would rather describe your situation in writing, use our contact page. The phone is answered 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need my original key to get a new 2000 E-Class key?

No. An original key is not required for this setup. A working key makes the job simpler, but we can make a key without one.

Is the 2000 E-Class a push-to-start car?

No. It uses an infrared SmartKey on the DAS3/FBS3 system, but there is no start button. It also comes with a mechanical backup key.

Can you program a key if I've lost all of them?

Yes. All-keys-lost is possible on this car. It is specialist EIS/EZS work done through EEPROM programming, and it does not need NASTF/SDRM access or a trip to the dealer.

My remote buttons stopped working but the car still starts. What is wrong?

A dead fob battery is the usual first suspect, since the remote buttons tend to fail before anything else. If a new battery does not help, the key's electronics may be aging, or the shell and buttons may be worn. We can check which.

The key won't turn in the ignition. Is it the key or the car?

It can be either. A worn or failed EIS/EZS can cause the car to reject a good key or stop it from turning. We test both the key and the ignition module before recommending a repair.

Will you come to my car, or do I need to bring it in?

Either works. We have a storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd in Westwood and mobile vans that serve 140 cities across Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Call (213) 577-1366 and we'll work out which fits your situation.

Where can I see key information for other E-Class years?

Start at the car keys hub and follow the links to Mercedes-Benz and then the E-Class. Other model years can differ, so we always confirm your exact car by VIN.

We cover all these cities

Reviewed by David, Owner & Lead Technician, Wilshire Lock & Key — in the locksmith trade since 1987.

Last updated 2026-10-11.