Spare Key for Fiat Panda 2004

moriarty888

Hello,

I recently got stung for a couple of hundred pounds when the keys for my Fiat Panda 2004 stopped working.

I got it all sorted but am now very nervous as although I paid a fortune they didn't give me a spare (nice of them) and even though I've never lost a car key in my life I don't want to risk that expenditure again.

What is the best way to get a spare? No need for it to be remote controlled etc. Just one that will open and start the car.

Thanks,

Marie

agrinnall

Did you not get 2 keys when you bought the car? I certainly had 2 when I bought my Panda new, one remote locking and the other not (but presumably has to be encoded to deactivate the alarm/immobiliser).

moriarty888

Yes, I got 2 keys but they told me not to attempt to use them (i.e. throw them away) as the keys had gone haywire and that was why I had to get a replacement.
It took 3 weeks for Fiat to sort it out as well.

Obukit

Ask at a local keycutter. A chipped key for my VW Golf was £23.

s_b

not all pandas had remote locking
you really should have had two keys made last time as you need to pay through the nose again
a mobile keyman might be able to clone a key for you but someone likes those shoe repairers wont
get a few quotes and decide the best way forward

moriarty888

I keep getting conflicting advice, some say a Timpsons key cut will work as I don't need it to operate central locking and there is no alarm on the car. Others say I have to go back to Fiat.
Confused...

s_b

moriarty888 wrote: »

I keep getting conflicting advice, some say a Timpsons key cut will work as I don't need it to operate central locking and there is no alarm on the car. Others say I have to go back to Fiat.
Confused...

i advise you keep away from the cobblers they are franchises and dont have your best interests at heart
i tried them twice and would never use them again
they should keep to soles

richard734

Talk to a local used dealer, a proper one, not the used part of a main dealership.
These guys will know who is the cheepest key replacement/coding place in your local area, they get cars come in with only 1 key all teh time and many buyers insist on a 2nd key.
I got a new key, coded to the car and the missing key removed from the ECU as well for £65. Most places wanted at least £100 and the main dealer wanted £150 odd just to cut and add the key.

Legacy

A "friend" (ahem) of mine, once lost their master key to a Fiat Stilo and was quoted over £200 for a replacement pair of keys. However, they very naughtily took out key insurance after the keys had gone missing (www.keycare.co.uk for example) and then made a claim through that a few days later.. total cost for a new pair of fully chipped and operational keys matched to the vehicle direct from Fiat for the sum of £21 and still covered for the rest of the year.

Of course I dont condone such immoral behaviour but when times are hard and needs must.. :cool:

moriarty888

Ahem, well thank you very much. Was thinking of getting that anyway!