Are Pcar keys made of platinum or sumptin?
02-05-2009, 02:26 PM
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Are Pcar keys made of platinum or sumptin?
RANT ON!
When I bought my car last fall, I was told it had all both keys and all the books. When the car was delivered from 1,200 miles away, it did have all the books...even the original window sticker and the prior owners puchase sheet. But, there was only a single key. "Oh well," I thought, "part of the hazards of buying a car over the internet with faxes and wire transfers." Decided that rather than make a big deal of this, I'd just pick up a spare key the first time I went to the Pcar service. I mean $50 or $75 would buy a new key (fob, really) for the Vette, surely a Pcar key would be about the same or maybe a little more.... Never occurred to be that this would be a big deal.
Well, the car developed the "Won't take gasoline through the filler tube" affliction. First trip to the local Pcar service. I asked the service writer about getting an additional key and she told me that I would have to order it through the Parts Dept and when it came in there would be a $60 fee for programming it to the car. First thought, "Rut-Roe, there might be a tactical error on my part here." So, while my car is having an initial check by the tech to see if this will be an easy fix, I wander around to the parts counter.
I asked the guy behind the counter about replacing the spare key. He clacks on his computer, digs out a couple of books and then prints out a replacement key quote for me.
According to his quote, it's $165 for the keyhead with the buttons, then another $145 for the blade and laser cutting. If you add the $26 local sales tax and the $60 programming fee, you are beer money under $400 for a single key. The he goes on to tell me that it'll take about 3 weeks +/- to get it. I have to pay for the key with my order, provide evidence that I own the car (something with my name and the car's VIN printed on it) as well as a copy of a photo ID (either my driver's license or passport). He says that all of this information is then sent to Germany where the key is laser cut and sent back to them to be picked up by me. The only thing that I can figure here is that the keys are actually made of unobtainium.
RANT OFF.
On the one hand, I've never lost a key to one of my cars and the last time I accidentally locked a key in the car was way before cars had remote lock mechanisms. OTOH, if I did manage to lock this key in the car or lose the key, having to go through this riggamarole to replace the key after the fact would be an enormous PITA.
Does anyone have any other ideas about how I can skin this cat for something less than 4-Cnotes?
On the "Won't take gas issue"...they thought that it was a dead solenoid that controlled the little flapper door. They replaced it, but the flapper door still doesn't work and the car keeps popping the fuse. They "think" now that there is a dead short in the electrical line and they're looking for it. Glad this puppy is still under warranty...don't think I'd really want to see the charges for the tech's time while he's looking for that short.
When I bought my car last fall, I was told it had all both keys and all the books. When the car was delivered from 1,200 miles away, it did have all the books...even the original window sticker and the prior owners puchase sheet. But, there was only a single key. "Oh well," I thought, "part of the hazards of buying a car over the internet with faxes and wire transfers." Decided that rather than make a big deal of this, I'd just pick up a spare key the first time I went to the Pcar service. I mean $50 or $75 would buy a new key (fob, really) for the Vette, surely a Pcar key would be about the same or maybe a little more.... Never occurred to be that this would be a big deal.
Well, the car developed the "Won't take gasoline through the filler tube" affliction. First trip to the local Pcar service. I asked the service writer about getting an additional key and she told me that I would have to order it through the Parts Dept and when it came in there would be a $60 fee for programming it to the car. First thought, "Rut-Roe, there might be a tactical error on my part here."
So, while my car is having an initial check by the tech to see if this will be an easy fix, I wander around to the parts counter.I asked the guy behind the counter about replacing the spare key. He clacks on his computer, digs out a couple of books and then prints out a replacement key quote for me.
According to his quote, it's $165 for the keyhead with the buttons, then another $145 for the blade and laser cutting. If you add the $26 local sales tax and the $60 programming fee, you are beer money under $400 for a single key. The he goes on to tell me that it'll take about 3 weeks +/- to get it. I have to pay for the key with my order, provide evidence that I own the car (something with my name and the car's VIN printed on it) as well as a copy of a photo ID (either my driver's license or passport). He says that all of this information is then sent to Germany where the key is laser cut and sent back to them to be picked up by me. The only thing that I can figure here is that the keys are actually made of unobtainium.
RANT OFF.
On the one hand, I've never lost a key to one of my cars and the last time I accidentally locked a key in the car was way before cars had remote lock mechanisms. OTOH, if I did manage to lock this key in the car or lose the key, having to go through this riggamarole to replace the key after the fact would be an enormous PITA.
Does anyone have any other ideas about how I can skin this cat for something less than 4-Cnotes?
On the "Won't take gas issue"...they thought that it was a dead solenoid that controlled the little flapper door. They replaced it, but the flapper door still doesn't work and the car keeps popping the fuse. They "think" now that there is a dead short in the electrical line and they're looking for it. Glad this puppy is still under warranty...don't think I'd really want to see the charges for the tech's time while he's looking for that short.
02-05-2009, 02:48 PM
#2
Burning Brakes
Contact the original owner, it's what I did when I realized I was missing a key. I sent him a pre-addressed envelope with a $5 bill in it. He sent me back the missing key and returned the $5...nice guy. There are also non-remote keys that are less expensive from the dealer. Also, you can probably get the keys discounted with the same information from Sunset..but then it'll be a RPITA if it doesn't work.
02-05-2009, 04:19 PM
#3
Burning Brakes
There are possible work-arounds, none of them are great. You can order a key blank and fob and find a friendly Audi dealer to cut the key for you. You still have to pay to get it programmed.
I'd also check at another P-car dealer. I was in the same position, ordered key+fob from my dealer for about $250 and he programmed it for no charge, told me programming was included in the price of the key. Programing takes about 5 min tops. $60 is absurd.
I'd also check at another P-car dealer. I was in the same position, ordered key+fob from my dealer for about $250 and he programmed it for no charge, told me programming was included in the price of the key. Programing takes about 5 min tops. $60 is absurd.
02-05-2009, 04:43 PM
#5
new key include recoding and 2nd key recoding I paid about $450 at dealer..the recoding charge was $150 so the new key was about 250...and than you got the pay the government (TAX).
I have read, but am not sure, that there is platinum and a bit of uranusium in the key
I have read, but am not sure, that there is platinum and a bit of uranusium in the key
02-05-2009, 11:55 PM
#6
Drifting
If you have the dealer cut the key blank using your existing key as a template vice getting a new one cut from the factory, you can save $50 or so. Still expensive as hell, but the savings will at least buy enough beer that you might forget about it for a short time!
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02-06-2009, 12:44 AM
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Deja Vu and yes, I don't think there's a cheap way to get a duplicate key... What I did:
Ordered a key blank ($20) and a remote transmitter key head ($120) from Suncoast. I found a locksmith here in town with a machine that could make the cuts (only one in the county out of several that claimed they could cut european car keys - $65) then took the whole shebang to a dealer and had them coded for $60; total spent $265... Once upon a time I fell of a chair when MB wanted $125 to make a duplicate...
Rudy
----------------------------
'01 Arctic Silver/Black C2 Cabriolet
'03 Silver F-150 Supercrew
Ordered a key blank ($20) and a remote transmitter key head ($120) from Suncoast. I found a locksmith here in town with a machine that could make the cuts (only one in the county out of several that claimed they could cut european car keys - $65) then took the whole shebang to a dealer and had them coded for $60; total spent $265... Once upon a time I fell of a chair when MB wanted $125 to make a duplicate...
Rudy
----------------------------
'01 Arctic Silver/Black C2 Cabriolet
'03 Silver F-150 Supercrew
02-06-2009, 01:49 AM
#9
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OK... I have to say it...
This is stupid
$400 bucks for a bloody key...
Next time my wife asks me if I have any money in my pocket I am going to tell here "yes" Show her my key and say, here is $400 ! ! !
Hell at the rate I am blowing thru cash at the dealer/parts house just on maintenance, they should give me an extra key to encourage me to keep driving it... and thus buying more stuff for maintenance........
This is stupid
$400 bucks for a bloody key...
Next time my wife asks me if I have any money in my pocket I am going to tell here "yes" Show her my key and say, here is $400 ! ! !
Hell at the rate I am blowing thru cash at the dealer/parts house just on maintenance, they should give me an extra key to encourage me to keep driving it... and thus buying more stuff for maintenance........
02-06-2009, 10:44 AM
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Rudy
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'01 Arctic Silver/Black C2 Cabriolet
'03 Silver F-150 Supercrew
02-06-2009, 01:39 PM
#11
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Another alternative might be to order a valet key, which does not have any remote features. This could make it a lot less expensive than the full-function key, and will still enable you to get in the car and get it going (it will not unlock the center console, however).
02-06-2009, 02:49 PM
#13
Three Wheelin'
This is pretty much standard for most keys now days.
I bought a used key transponder on ebay for $60, but still had to get the blank cut @$100. I got the local dealer to program the car to accept the key gratis (it only takes about 10 minutes or less), so there are cheaper solutions, but the bottom line is that almost all cars have the same situation. Gone are the days when you go down to Woolworths to get a new key cut for $3!
I bought a used key transponder on ebay for $60, but still had to get the blank cut @$100. I got the local dealer to program the car to accept the key gratis (it only takes about 10 minutes or less), so there are cheaper solutions, but the bottom line is that almost all cars have the same situation. Gone are the days when you go down to Woolworths to get a new key cut for $3!
02-06-2009, 10:18 PM
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I would like to change my possition....
Although I hate a key costing $400.... try this on for size. The people making the key live in a world much like ours. They make a reasonable wage and have a lifestyle much like ours. Take into account that a blank must be made, then cut to a pattern that comes from a database (so it must be "looked up") Then the electronics must be made and stored, the pill... yea... um, you try and make that thing... and there is the outter case which was injection molded. If you have ever run or seen any or these machines run, assembled any PC boards, loaded and unloaded key blanks.. (each one unique as the are all -most all- differant) then you know this takes time. The workers are not getting rich, but they cost money and a business must make some amount of profit. Storage, taxes, wages, beneffits and all that other stuff come into play when its not made in some 3rd world country.....
all in all, if I had to make one for you, $400 would be a real bargin.. hold onto it tightly though!
(now I better not find out it says "made in China" - then I will blow a gasket)
Although I hate a key costing $400.... try this on for size. The people making the key live in a world much like ours. They make a reasonable wage and have a lifestyle much like ours. Take into account that a blank must be made, then cut to a pattern that comes from a database (so it must be "looked up") Then the electronics must be made and stored, the pill... yea... um, you try and make that thing... and there is the outter case which was injection molded. If you have ever run or seen any or these machines run, assembled any PC boards, loaded and unloaded key blanks.. (each one unique as the are all -most all- differant) then you know this takes time. The workers are not getting rich, but they cost money and a business must make some amount of profit. Storage, taxes, wages, beneffits and all that other stuff come into play when its not made in some 3rd world country.....
all in all, if I had to make one for you, $400 would be a real bargin.. hold onto it tightly though!
(now I better not find out it says "made in China" - then I will blow a gasket)
02-06-2009, 11:29 PM
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Ed,
I saw a couple of MB keys on ebay. You might want to check those out. Those are certainly something you don't need, so I thought you might be interested.
I saw a couple of MB keys on ebay. You might want to check those out. Those are certainly something you don't need, so I thought you might be interested.