159 Replacement Key - How much?!
Discussion
Recently bought a 2007 2.4 JTDM.
First Alfa and first diesel since diesels had starter handles and a stove to warm them up.
It's a wonderful car and I already love it dearly. However...
The price of a spare key is ridiculous. I was not expecting it to be cheap but the first quote was over £500 all in. Cheapest I found (from very helpful and friendly Lyles in Newcastle) was still over £400.
I understand from other forums that Timpsons can do it for around £350 but this still seems exorbitant. An Alfa dealer in France quoted me €360 which is a step in the right direction.
I am currently learning Italian but in the mean time had anyone found a glitch in the matrix? Is there any way of getting a key for a half way reasonable price?
Failing that can the whole security gubbins be removed or bypassed? I'm not actually going to do this now, just thinking of the long term viability of these cars.
Thanks in advance
First Alfa and first diesel since diesels had starter handles and a stove to warm them up.
It's a wonderful car and I already love it dearly. However...
The price of a spare key is ridiculous. I was not expecting it to be cheap but the first quote was over £500 all in. Cheapest I found (from very helpful and friendly Lyles in Newcastle) was still over £400.
I understand from other forums that Timpsons can do it for around £350 but this still seems exorbitant. An Alfa dealer in France quoted me €360 which is a step in the right direction.
I am currently learning Italian but in the mean time had anyone found a glitch in the matrix? Is there any way of getting a key for a half way reasonable price?
Failing that can the whole security gubbins be removed or bypassed? I'm not actually going to do this now, just thinking of the long term viability of these cars.
Thanks in advance
Don't know if this will help, but bought my daughter a Ford Ka and needed a second key a couple of years ago. Ford wanted £150 plus a fitting and reprogramming fee. Went to my local locksmith (Acme Locks at Kingsmead/St Stephens roundabout in Canterbury). They made me one for under £50. So try a local proper locksmith and see.
Thanks!
I didn't really but it with a view to practicality or economy, so I guess this is all part of the fun!
I have tried a few independent locksmiths. One won't touch Alfas. Another who I am waiting for a price bavk from. I expect he's nursing a strong drink and psyching himself up to quote an outrageous price.
The issue seems to be that they need special encrypted codes which only Alfa have access to, so even indies have to pay them.
Anyway sorry to open with a gripe!
Apart from that I absolutely love the car so far. I was looking at the usual BMW, Audi etc (had an A4 before) and bought it on an impulse.
I didn't really but it with a view to practicality or economy, so I guess this is all part of the fun!
I have tried a few independent locksmiths. One won't touch Alfas. Another who I am waiting for a price bavk from. I expect he's nursing a strong drink and psyching himself up to quote an outrageous price.
The issue seems to be that they need special encrypted codes which only Alfa have access to, so even indies have to pay them.
Anyway sorry to open with a gripe!
Apart from that I absolutely love the car so far. I was looking at the usual BMW, Audi etc (had an A4 before) and bought it on an impulse.
Might not be relevant to a 159, but when I needed a replacement key for our old 147, my local dealer supplied all the codes for about £20.
I think I had to turn up with the log book and some ID, and within a day I received...a fax(!) with everything on it.
My local independent then coded me a key next time the car was in for a service.
I think I had to turn up with the log book and some ID, and within a day I received...a fax(!) with everything on it.
My local independent then coded me a key next time the car was in for a service.
Hi, might be a bit late to the party but when I was looking for a replacement 159 key no independent key companies touch them. ended up getting one for £350 from lloyds in Carlisle. They're JLR now (no longer a Fiat franchise) but still do Alfa and Fiat parts. Its the key cost, the code cost from Alfa, and the labour. You cannot reflash secondhand keys.
silverthorn2151 said:
That looks a useful link, thanks.
I find myself with only one key for the 159 after taking the spare with us on holiday, in the handbag.
I don't have it.
I gave it back to you.
I never had in the first place.
Which handbag did I take?
etc etc
Well what do you know. She found it in a handbag. Boy am I relieved. Seemingly its somehow my fault anyway.I find myself with only one key for the 159 after taking the spare with us on holiday, in the handbag.
I don't have it.
I gave it back to you.
I never had in the first place.
Which handbag did I take?
etc etc
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