Well the car may be old, but at least the key is new. Possibly the world's most expensive car key:
Stem, custom cut in Germany after waiting 4 months: $84
Head - $34
Fob (optional but you know, if you've gone this far. . .) $29

It came with a nice big burr right on the tip, had to file it off out of fear for my clothing and fingers. But it turns all the locks and starts the car

 

...not bad, still less expensive than a locksmith, broken window, flat bed tow to dealership, replacement lock set from ebay, ....$150 key = PRICELESS.

 

Hmm, yeah. I had a key stolen a few months back, but still had a spare. I decided that having only one key for this car was not a good insurance policy so. . . I'm back up to a full pair.

 

I know the feeling, having only one key myself, I pretend it is an ounce of gold.

 

I protect my keys like crazy too. Just thinking about the $120 (dealer estimate ) makes me tense up when I misplace a key along with the fear of some one taking the car.

Having a security system from the factory like many of us do makes it worse as we need to have both keys as they are very different and you never know when the alarm system will come back to life.

 

It took 6 keys from a dealer, 3 fobs on e-Bay, 4 months, and a silly amount of money before I got 2 duplicates that work. Awkwardly, not smoothly, but effectively. I've been told the guy in Australia does it much better.

I do feel much better now that I have a functional spare, though.

Brad

 

I will never order keys from a dealer - expensive and 8 out of 10 do not work.
Been using and highly recommending www.keys4classics for nearly 10 years with zero issues for all my customers. They cut the key to match your existing key so they work every time. They have the standard blanks as well as the lighted key head blank's (supplied by 928 Int.) Delivery in about 5 working days from Australia.

Porsche cut the key to the master in the VIN - new key old locks - no worky - or the key/lock was changed at some time and no longer matches the VIN.

Now if you do not have a key you are doomed to try Porsche - death by VIN.

 

928 International can duplicate you 928 key.

This reminds me of the story about the chastity belt:

Confusus say--man who looses key gets no new key.

 

+1 on Keysforclassics! Took a couple of pictured nd 7 days later had new master with Porsche key head and extra key for $110

 

Yes, get the key from the guys in Australia.

I only had to take a high resolution photo of both sides of the semi worn out OEM key and I got a perfect replacement in about a week.

 

All this key talk made me wonder how many I have and that I should put them in a more secure location. I have three...Just minutes ago I found the spares after a short search. They were in a shoe box on a shelf. Now they are in a small fire proof safe Seems like three keys is a lot. Did 928s come with valet keys?

 

Actually $150 is cheap - try ordering one for a Mercedes or BMW - $250+++

 

So for many folks, right now is winter hibernation season. If you only have one key, hibernation could happen at any moment regardless of the current weather.

Recommendation:
1) Call Tom or Mark at 928 Internaional and alert them that your key is coming by Priority Mail or your favorite method.
2) Select your key head and quantities with them.
3) Place your key in a box/envelope tagged with your name and information.
4) Send the package to them.
5) Wait the few days it takes to get your old key to them and the new keys to you.
6) Carefully store the spares where they can do you some good.
7) Pay the CC bill when it comes.
8) Sleep Better.

They have the right blanks, heads, etc, and the correct machine to cut them. The new ones are a match for what you have now, so if locks or ignition have been changed, no worries that a VIN cut won't work on the car as it is now. The shipping cost is the same for three as it is for one.

After a relatively minor event with keys and a rescue mission for K to meet me after a C&C in Irvine several years ago now, a new not-fancy key was added to the collection, and hidden in a strategic spot on the car. So far it's never needed to be used. And so long as it's there, I'll never need it. Cheap 'Carma' in the big picture.

 

Dr. Bob - for once in my life I am going to disagree with you here. Nothing against 928 Int either. If the USPS/UPS/FedEx lose your key you are screwed. Even if you insure the key for $1500 to cover the cost of fitting new locks and keys to your car - who would want to go through that misery.
All you do is take a picture of both sides of your key and send it to Stuart at www.keys4classics.com and within 5 business days you have a key. You do not have to risk putting your key in the post.

I urge everyone to take pictures of there keys and store them safely on your computer/in your safe so if you ever lose them you can get another quickly.

You are also supporting 928Int. who supply all the key blanks to Stewart.

I have heard people say that by giving your key ID they will fly in from Australia to steal your car 8>). Stuart would not be in business for very long if that happened just once. He makes keys for ALL cars including many that have far more value than ours. No different to sending your key to myself or Mark - we would not do something like that.

 

If you go this route, to protect yourself in case your only key is lost during shipment, take good clear digital pictures of the front and back of the key. This way you can always have the Keys4Classics option as a backup.

I used Keys4Classics in 2009 when I first purchased my car, as it only came with one key. The new key works perfectly and the process was fast.