The Russian car market continues to deform: despite the numerous Chinese offerings, many car owners prefer to overpay for well-known brands, resulting in the restoration of previously irrelevant cars. Broken, with worn-out engines and broken gearboxes, they are now quite profitable – it makes sense to restore them.
However, the demand for cars that are broken beyond recognition has also increased sharply, especially when it comes to German premium brands. Such cars are very actively purchased not only in Russia, but also in the countries of the Old World, as well as at American insurance auctions. And they are not only very popular with us at the moment!
Previously, such vehicles were purchased for restoration or for “license plates” – before the subsequent legalization of “crime”. However, today they have found another, no less profitable use. The fact is that it is now impossible to recover the keys to a Mercedes officially sold in Russia.
While this process used to go through an official dealer who sent a request to Germany, this is now excluded due to sanctions. Let us remind you that a trip to Georgia/Armenia/Kazakhstan/Kyrgyzstan/China and so on will not bring anything: the Russian VIN code is taboo. In this simple way, the owner of an expensive “premium” car can suddenly have a car, but without a key. What should I do?
Unfortunately, there is only one way to solve the problem: from the cue ball you buy keys, a security unit, a motor brain block and a gearbox circuit board. Then all this happiness is installed on an existing car, but flashing is required: the “native” components will conflict with the “foreign” components, the car will drive, but the dashboard will look like a Christmas tree.
With new blocks it is necessary to register the VIN codes of the vehicle so that the system “calms down”. However, we live in Russia and have seen even more complex problems: there are already experienced electricians who can trick German electronics. By the way, it is also necessary to remove information about accidents from the ‘new brain’.
And now the most important thing is the price of the problem. A lost key for a circle costs from 180,000 to 250,000 rubles: electronics from a cue ball – not less than 100,000 rubles. An IT specialist capable of reprogramming and deceiving the factory security system will cost from 60,000 to 100,000 rubles; a mechanic who can climb in and change the plates costs at least 10,000 rubles.
Usually the work is offered as a “package”, done in one service, which is more expensive, but much more convenient and with an after-the-fact guarantee. In total we have the cost of the lost key: about a month without a car and 200,000 rubles in cash.
The Russian car market continues to deform: despite the numerous Chinese offerings, many car owners prefer to overpay for well-known brands, resulting in the restoration of previously irrelevant cars. Broken, with worn-out engines and broken gearboxes, they are now quite profitable – it makes sense to restore them.
However, the demand for cars that are broken beyond recognition has also increased sharply, especially when it comes to German premium brands. Such cars are very actively purchased not only in Russia, but also in the countries of the Old World, as well as at American insurance auctions. And they are not only very popular with us at the moment!
Previously, such vehicles were purchased for restoration or for “license plates” – before the subsequent legalization of “crime”. However, today they have found another, no less profitable use. The fact is that it is now impossible to recover the keys of a Mercedes officially sold in Russia.
While this process used to go through an official dealer who sent a request to Germany, this is now excluded due to sanctions. Let us remind you that a trip to Georgia/Armenia/Kazakhstan/Kyrgyzstan/China and so on will not bring anything: the Russian VIN code is taboo. In this simple way, the owner of an expensive “premium” car can suddenly have a car, but without a key. What should I do?
Unfortunately, there is only one way to solve the problem: from the cue ball you buy keys, a security unit, a motor brain block and a gearbox circuit board. Then all this happiness is installed on an existing car, but flashing is required: the “native” components will conflict with the “foreign” components, the car will drive, but the dashboard will look like a Christmas tree.
With new blocks it is necessary to register the VIN codes of the vehicle so that the system “calms down”. However, we live in Russia and have seen even more complex problems: there are already experienced electricians who can trick German electronics. By the way, it is also necessary to remove information about accidents from the ‘new brain’.
And now the most important thing is the price of the problem. A lost key for a circle costs from 180,000 to 250,000 rubles: electronics from a cue ball – not less than 100,000 rubles. An IT specialist capable of reprogramming and deceiving the factory security system will cost from 60,000 to 100,000 rubles; a mechanic who can climb in and change the plates costs at least 10,000 rubles.
Usually the work is offered as a “package”, done in one service, which is more expensive, but much more convenient and with an after-the-fact guarantee. In total we have the cost of the lost key: about a month without a car and 200,000 rubles in cash.
Source: Avto Vzglyad
Donald Salinas is an experienced automobile journalist and writer for Div Bracket. He brings his readers the latest news and developments from the world of automobiles, offering a unique and knowledgeable perspective on the latest trends and innovations in the automotive industry.