I need a new key. I just returned from the Chrysler dealer and they had a price increase for a programed key to to match my VIN. Price increased from $190 to $870. That is not a miss print. The parts guy couldn't believe it either.Anyone know if there are other sources.

Thanks

 

Needswings.com is about $100 cheaper.

 

 

Gentlemen - I can't find any reason for such a drastic price increase other than GREED. The import tariff has not increased that much. Even Needswings jumped a lot, I guess, because his supply took a drastic jump. The Skreem units have done the same thing. Somebody, somewhere, is trying to get rid of the Crossfire's around the world. Buy a key, a Skreem unit, and a couple of other items and you've spent more than the insurance companies say the car is worth. Pretty soon, if we lose a key or have some electrical item go bad, the car will be totaled. Some enterprising young engineer needs to develope some replacement items that are affordable, and that WORK. Maybe the alternative is to take a car and part it out and make a bunch of money, at least at the price of replacement parts.

Jim

 

I'm just glad I have 3 key fobs for my Roadster all in good working order

 

 

unfortunately the ignition lock cylinder isn't the issue, it's the whole interface with the SKREEM/ECU all working together.

 

 

Lawdy, I should have bought a key from needswings when they were like $200. I wonder what will be next to shoot up to $700 to replace.

 

Probably pretty much everything that's Crossfire and still available brand new . . .

 

almost $200 cheaper

 

Yea, and dealing with YOU is way easier than dealing with any dealer.

 

I'll say! Rob is much more helpful and considerate than any dealer that I know. . He's the man to go to.

Jim

 

I recently inquired with a Chrysler parts manager whether all parts attached to the Crossfire name have recently seen huge increases and his reply was yes. Items like Mopar coolant(for use in many other Chrysler vehicles,) have not(still $25). A standard Bosch part for a Crossfire that I paid Rob currently $50 for goes for five times that from Chrysler now. Of course the Chrysler part will be a Mopar OME

 

In most cases you would be wrong in assuming that they are Mopar parts, if you buy a Crossfire part from Chrysler you will pay them a hefty markup just for their effort in getting it from a Mercedes dealer. The part will come in a plastic bag or box with the Chrysler label stuck on top of the original Mercedes label.
Do not buy parts from a Chrysler dealer avoid it if possible, most parts on the Crossfire are Mercedes parts and have the Mercedes part number on them, stamped, moldedor stuck on. Use that part number when buying the part, do not order the eqivalent Chrysler part number as it will cost you dearly.
Crossfire specific body parts have a Mercedes number on them but are getting harder and harder to find, these parts are in the series 193 XXX XX XX and they were made for the Crossfire, some may appear on future Mercedes cars.

 

900 for a key? Buy a new car?

 

Called my Chrysler dealer and they quoted me $800.00.
The key fob comes from the Mercedes distribution center in Texas.
I called Mercedes and they can provide the same key fob with their part# A1937600106 for $200.00.
The Chrysler dealer would then have to program that key fob to my vehicle at an additional cost of $150.00.
However my dealer has never done that and would not guarantee that it would work.
I would like to know if anyone has used this process successfully?

 

I believe you "program" the key yourself. There are instructions both here on the forum and in your owners manual on how to do that. Other than the purchase price, the only other cost should be in cutting the physical key blade.

 

Just got off the phone with my local Chrysler dealer. The part number you gave does not appear to be the correct one for my 2004 Cross fire based on my vin number. Yours ended in 106, the correct one for mine ends in 806 . The 106 is available for $322 and the 806 in not available from Mercedes. The screem
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​​​​​​is available for $322. The parts manager is calling Texas tomorrow to see if the available 106 will work in my car rather than the unavailable
806. He also seems to have answered the mystery of why Chrysler Crossfire parts are so expensive . Answer.......simple.........Chrysler is simply buying their Cross fire parts directly from Mercedes, putting their Mopar sticker with their part number over the Mercedes tag and doubling the price. Your local Chrysler dealer then orders that part for you and doubles it again.
In
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and it is all about mar
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so which number is the correct number for the key assembly?

Jim