Why are car keys so expensive?

[Ilovejapcrap]

VWDaz86 said:

That key looks familiar

Ahh beaten to it

[exelero]

Btw pretty much every Timpsons shop does it for around 80 quid with reprogramming+key. :-"

[Trabi601]

exelero said:

Btw pretty much every Timpsons shop does it for around 80 quid with reprogramming+key. :-"

They can only do a relatively small range of keys - often they can sort out a dumb immobiliser key, but can't do you a full remote key.

Not sure if it's still the case, but many keys come from the same OEM manufacturer - you may get a different plastic case, but the internals are often the same. (I recall Fiat and VAG sourced keys from the same manufacturer for a long time)

[MuscleSaloon]

Got offered a pretty clean old A6 estate with a long mot recently . One problem - the only key had been lost ! Quick phone call to local Audi parts department .. yes we can order one from Germany .. allow about £400 with programming ! .. got to get the car to their premises - they won't quote for coming out to programme the key . Shame to pass it by but I didn't bother with it ..

[exelero]

Trabi601 said:

They can only do a relatively small range of keys - often they can sort out a dumb immobiliser key, but can't do you a full remote key.

Not sure if it's still the case, but many keys come from the same OEM manufacturer - you may get a different plastic case, but the internals are often the same. (I recall Fiat and VAG sourced keys from the same manufacturer for a long time)

They made me a remote key from just a normal non-remote key, so I assume they can still do it. I guess is not the case with the new 7series BMW or any new model, but they can do the most common cars ie Ford, Focus, Nissan

[hal]

mmmm some things haven't improved with age!
Just got 2 spare keys cut for my 500bhp jalopy. In total £12.50!
Annual roadtax...free!
Annual insurance.....£150!
Feeling smug......

[Riley Blue]

Trabi601 said:

exelero said:

Btw pretty much every Timpsons shop does it for around 80 quid with reprogramming+key. :-"

They can only do a relatively small range of keys - often they can sort out a dumb immobiliser key, but can't do you a full remote key.

Not sure if it's still the case, but many keys come from the same OEM manufacturer - you may get a different plastic case, but the internals are often the same. (I recall Fiat and VAG sourced keys from the same manufacturer for a long time)

I went to my local Timpsons with my Audi key, the blade of which had snapped off. "Sorry, we can't do that one but our Sheffield branch can." The next day I drove to Sheffield and was pleased to see a 50% off offer. Showed them the key, "That'll be £130..."

I found a local auto electrican who was able to do it for less than half that.

[88v8]

£25 ... a key for a 1970 Silver Shadow. The only car to have Yale locks.

Modern cars. Huh.

V8

[duplex]

88v8 said:

£25 ... a key for a 1970 Silver Shadow. The only car to have Yale locks.

Modern cars. Huh.

V8

and you get the looks

[Lester H]

MonkeyBusiness said:

tbc said:

Land Rover / Range Rover / Jaguar will price these whatever they like becuase they know the majority of their customers are more than capable of affording their cars and th majority will think little of parting with £150 if it means being able to drive their overpriced and unreliable RR and Jaaaaaagggsss again without much hassle.

ebay is a good place for keys, then all you have to do is pay to get them reprogrammed

This is exactly what I was intending to do but obviously the dealer is telling me I can't.
Thank you.

To adapt Mandy Rice-Davies re. Main Dealers: "They would, wouldn't they?"