Replacement car key. Outrageous cost!

elektra-2007

A few years ago we neded a replacment chip key for our rover, we still had 1 key. We brought a blank key from ebay cost about £10, key cutters then put our original key in a little black machine which gave them the code for the blank key then they cut it. It was a mobile key cutter on the market, who was there everyweek, not sure if this is an option for you but its defo cheaper.

philnicandamy

Hmm not as bad as an A-class merc I once had.......damaged to the key & the remote after leaving in an airport car park (I KNOW...I KNOW!!) they quoted £240 for one key!! and weirdly 4 proofs of ownership

forgotmyname

dont buy from stan the SPAM he owns that website and several others.

xycom1

Java wrote: »

I need to replace a broken key for my Alfa 156. I have been given a cost, by the dealer, of £190. This is unbelievable..............
Their excuse is that the keys are computer chipped, no longer can you just go and get one cut.

I cannot afford this. Is there a cheaper alternative.

You comments will be appreciated.

Will you be able to afford it when you lose the last remaining key and then you can't use the car?

As they've told you, it's not just a piece of plastic and metal.

howarthjd

Today I had a new remote key for my 09 Fiesta cut by my Ford Dealer and they charged me £167.33 for it as it had to be laser cut at a different location then programmed for the Alarm and imobilliser.

forgotmyname

I bought a standard key from ebay for £8.50 remotes ones vary from £40-£60 ish.

Your manual tells you how to code new keys, No need to take it to ford.

Key_Point

forgotmyname wrote: »

I bought a standard key from ebay for £8.50 remotes ones vary from £40-£60 ish.

Your manual tells you how to code new keys, No need to take it to ford.

That depends on how many existing keys you already have.

if your Ford is before late 98 it is on the old 3 key system and you need the all red master key to programme manualy.

if your car is after late 98 you are on a 2 key system and need 2 origional programmed keys to programme a third key manualy.

if you dont have the above you need the keys programmed diagnosticaly or cloned with the suitable equipment.

if you are in a situation where you have lost all keys, you need a auto locksmith to sort the problem.

As for E Bay, ford remotes and certain others can be reprogrammed but most remotes cannot be reprogrammed when of another car and are therefore a wasted buy. Be warned.

KillerWatt

GabbaGabbaHey wrote: »

Not only is this illegal (unless you are parked on private land, e.g., your garage or driveway), it's also not an efficient thing to do. All car manufacturers these days recommend that you should drive the car (gently!) as soon as it has started.

It is NOT illegal to start a car and leave it running to warm up, the manufacturer "recommends" it to save fuel and thereby keep the "green" nutters at bay.

It is however somewhat foolhardy, because if your car gets nicked while warming up with the keys in the ignition then you can kiss your insurance goodbye.

Strider590

Java wrote: »

I need to replace a broken key for my Alfa 156. I have been given a cost, by the dealer, of £190. This is unbelievable..............
Their excuse is that the keys are computer chipped, no longer can you just go and get one cut.

I cannot afford this. Is there a cheaper alternative.

You comments will be appreciated.

Join the owners club forum and ask for advice....

Most of the time you can program new or second hand keys for yourself.

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_from=R40&_trksid=m38&_nkw=alpha+156+key

Keys are available on Ebay, that means they must be self programmable.....

Locknut

Sorry Strider your wrong most keys if not all keys now have to be programmed via the diagnostic port on the car, whats more an awful lot more cannot be reused and the ones on ebay are a waste of money. Alfa/fiat being one of the worst.

Even If I added an extra key to an Alfa and forgot to put the original key back in that original key would not work that vehicle again no matter what I did to it. Please dont waste your money on Ebay keys.