DBS ECU Key
Author
Discussion

_AJ_

Original Poster:

405 posts

234 months

Sunday 3rd November 2013
quotequote all
So my potential purchase comes complete with slightly chipped key. I don't suppose it's major damage from the pictures I've seen, but it's enough to annoy the crap out of me every time I go to start the car. I've done some searching on the interwebz, and I'm getting varied reports about costs involved, from a couple of hundred pounds, to over £1000. Some say separate components of the key can be replaces, others not. Are DBS keys different to other models? Could anyone clarify?

martinvantage

320 posts

209 months

Sunday 3rd November 2013
quotequote all
Look at Aston Martin bits on the web. They have DBS glass keys. I looked myself when thinking about buying a second glass key. My local dealer gave them a decent report. Good luck.

martinvantage

320 posts

209 months

Sunday 3rd November 2013
quotequote all
Look at Aston Martin bits on the web. They have DBS glass keys. I looked myself when thinking about buying a second glass key. My local dealer gave them a decent report. Good luck.

whoami

13,200 posts

270 months

Sunday 3rd November 2013
quotequote all
_AJ_ said:
So my potential purchase comes complete with slightly chipped key. I don't suppose it's major damage from the pictures I've seen, but it's enough to annoy the crap out of me every time I go to start the car. I've done some searching on the interwebz, and I'm getting varied reports about costs involved, from a couple of hundred pounds, to over £1000. Some say separate components of the key can be replaces, others not. Are DBS keys different to other models? Could anyone clarify?
Get the dealer to supply a replacement key as part of the deal.

_AJ_

Original Poster:

405 posts

234 months

Sunday 3rd November 2013
quotequote all
What a web site! I see keys on bits.com, presumably it's the glass key? I shouldn't be looking for "crystal" or anything silly like that? They're all over ebay as well. If it doesn't specify DBS is it likley to be the right key anyway?

_AJ_

Original Poster:

405 posts

234 months

Sunday 3rd November 2013
quotequote all
whoami said:
Get the dealer to supply a replacement key as part of the deal.
I get the distinct impression they'd be reluctant to do that.

Zod

35,295 posts

288 months

Sunday 3rd November 2013
quotequote all
The keys are the same for all models.

_AJ_

Original Poster:

405 posts

234 months

Sunday 3rd November 2013
quotequote all
Zod said:
The keys are the same for all models.
Awesome, thank you.

Bravo73

1,858 posts

204 months

Sunday 3rd November 2013
quotequote all
_AJ_ said:
I get the distinct impression they'd be reluctant to do that.
Really? You're about to spend in the region of £100k on a car with them and they don't want the deal to go smoothly?

Personally, I would be questioning quite how much they actually want to sell the car to me. There are plenty of other cars out there.

8Tech

2,212 posts

228 months

Sunday 3rd November 2013
quotequote all
I have found that Astonmartinbits are actually more expensive than my local AM dealer once the VAT has been added to the price shown, then you have postage on top too!

Example........DBS front roll bar from Astonmartinbits.......£208.94, plus VAT = £250.73 plus shipping
.DBS front roll bar from HWM Aston Martin......................Incl VAT = £225.66 delivered

Similar story with all my other parts, bushes, clear taillights, service parts etc.

Check prices brfore you make assumptions. Or order from HWM and quote me as your reference with Sean in parts.

Edited by 8Tech on Monday 4th November 23:26

triple5

757 posts

175 months

Sunday 3rd November 2013
quotequote all
I managed to wangle a new glass key as part of the deal, but now I can't bring myself to use it. I have thought about trying to refurb the old one by just replacing the crystal part, but can't imagine you would be able to get one.

AstonTony

1,128 posts

197 months

Sunday 3rd November 2013
quotequote all
Isn't the frequency different for UK cars to that of non UK ones?

Also, you must ensure you get the code for the key as well.

Edited by AstonTony on Sunday 3rd November 16:21

V8V Pete

2,536 posts

156 months

Sunday 3rd November 2013
quotequote all
_AJ_ said:
whoami said:
Get the dealer to supply a replacement key as part of the deal.
I get the distinct impression they'd be reluctant to do that.
I didn't see the chipped glass key until handover for my 5 year old V8V. When I naively enquired as to whether they would give me a new key I was told "We can sell you a new car Sir!". Gave up at that point and now don't worry if I drop it yes

cardigankid

8,879 posts

242 months

Sunday 3rd November 2013
quotequote all
£700.00 I'm told for a crystal one, or £150 for a plastic one.

_AJ_

Original Poster:

405 posts

234 months

Sunday 3rd November 2013
quotequote all
Well, Rachel has suggested that glass keys are about £1000 from them. There is one on AstonMartinBits that specifies UK frequencies and is supplied required codes, for a third of that.

Jockman

18,414 posts

190 months

Sunday 3rd November 2013
quotequote all
_AJ_ said:
Well, Rachel has suggested that glass keys are about £1000 from them. There is one on AstonMartinBits that specifies UK frequencies and is supplied required codes, for a third of that.
Piss Poor service - borderline disgusting.

Would she have been just as blasé if the chip were on the actual bodywork confused

Tony V12V

2,465 posts

182 months

Sunday 3rd November 2013
quotequote all
Jockman said:
Piss Poor service - borderline disgusting.

Would she have been just as blasé if the chip were on the actual bodywork confused
^^^^^^ this ^^^^^

whoami

13,200 posts

270 months

Sunday 3rd November 2013
quotequote all
_AJ_ said:
whoami said:
Get the dealer to supply a replacement key as part of the deal.
I get the distinct impression they'd be reluctant to do that.
Tell her that you've got the distinct impression that you'll not be buying the car.

That'll learn her.

gmacdb9

236 posts

162 months

Sunday 3rd November 2013
quotequote all
Jockman said:
Piss Poor service - borderline disgusting.

Would she have been just as blasé if the chip were on the actual bodywork confused
Phil is right. Very poor service. Although I must admit that I tend to use only the plastic key on mine (for fear of dropping the glass one) it would annoy the crap out of me too if I did not have a pristine glass one tucked away in a draw somewhere. So for a car costing in the region of £100k, you deserve an unbroken key. They may seem reluctant, but it is worth pushing.

shout Rob, Molly! You know Rachel. Your thoughts?

_AJ_

Original Poster:

405 posts

234 months

Sunday 3rd November 2013
quotequote all
Eeek, no Rachel/Broughtons bashing on my behalf! I've not forced the point, but neither have they offered me a tidy key to go with a tidy car. I will press the issue next week, and if they refuse, you may commence bashing. laugh