Somehow I lost the spare key. Braman just quoted me $500 for a new key. Is that high? It sounds absurd to me, said it takes about 2 hours?!

 

Absurdly high. I recall spending less than $200 on a key, including the programming at Rector Porsche here in the Bay Area.

EDIT: Just looked at my bill. Well it was more than 200 afterall, it was 34100 (incl tax). More than I remember, but still way less than your quote.

Key: 955-637-244-04-01C 222.01
PCA discount (35.80)

Labor: 136.00 (1 hour)

 

That's what I thought. I'll check with a dealer when I get home.

 

I just ordered a new key from Sunset, $200 on sale for March and $60 to program

 

I just went through this with my local dealership. I bought a key fob from a reputable ebay guy, who sells them all day. Well, Champion Porsche could not program it, nor could they cut the blade. I caused quite a stink so they quoted me $313 to program and cut the blade/key to my vin. Not cheap.

 

I just paid a local Porsche dealer for a new key and program.
Cost around $315.00 after sales tax (6.5%) and programming.

 

I just was quoted $275 for the key and the programming. The service manager said that it took about 30 minutes.

I was there to grab the service records on the 08 TT I picked up today! More when I can post pics.

Cheers,
TomF

 

Sonnen has the key for $141.84

 

I just had this done at my dealer in Houston this week. I previously ordered 2 keys: One was the factory 3-button remote key -- I think I bought from ECS and prices was ~$140; The other key was a non-remote key I got off eBay for $20. My local dealers said I needed have a locksmith cut the keys -- this was $20 and took some trial and error: the ignition lock was very sensitive to cut depth as it took 3 tries to get they slots deep enough to not get stuck. Finally, I took my original and the the 2 new keys to the dealer and had them reprogram -- that was another $100 (although the other dealer would have done it for $75, but I didn't want to wait). So all in was $280 for 2 new keys, one remote and one valet/spare. For anyone looking to order a new key, you should also consider also getting one (or two) of the eBay non-remote keys to have as a backup.

 

Could you please let us know (fellow Texans in the Houston area) which of the three Porsche dealers here in Houston you got such excellent numbers? How long was the wait? Charging $75 or $100 per hour seem to be reasonably.
TIA Brianz

 

Porsche West Houston on Katy Road/I-10 (281-249-4700) charged me exactly $101.95 to recode all my keys. I booked the appointment with "James" and was in/out in about an hour. I got to see/hear the new 991 Turbo (amazing! want!) and they also washed my car, which was a bonus.

Porsche North Houston (888-510-4711) said they would charge me $75 for the same service, but they didn't have availability as soon so I paid the extra money to get it done at West Houston -- also I try to avoid I-45N if I can.

Note that neither dealer would cut the key. Finding a locksmith to do it was a bit tricky as most wanted me to bring the key in so they could see it first -- not time efficient. I ended up getting the keys cut at Robbie's Key and Lock Shop on Longpoint. Took about 20 mins of fiddling to get it working -- be sure to test any keys in your door and ignition before leaving the locksmith -- In my experience, the ignition required that the channel cut in the key be a bit deeper than was originally cut (not a visible difference to the eye) else it would get stuck on the way in/out. And be sure to have them practice on the cheap key first if you get one!

A related aside, I also asked the Houston dealers how much to code the non-factory/eBay rear camera that others have successfully installed. Although neither dealer was familiar with the modification (and sounded skeptical it would work), they said they'd try it for the same (additional) coding fee, i.e., $102/$75, respectively. So I'll plan on going back soon when I have that done as well.

 

Hey thanks for so detailed description, specially for the locksmith and related tricks to make the key work. My plan is to recode both, Key + back-up camera at once; seem West H. is the way to go. A few weeks ago I finished installing the aftermarket back-up camera (after long wait for Chinese post), just need recoding of PCM. Porsche North H. would be my best option 'till I discovered they don't service on Saturdays (huge disadvantage for me !), now looking at West H. for a Saturday service would be excellent; otherwise working it out during the week would be impossible.
Now that you said it, I will make sure my P!G need a wash before showing up to the appointment...

 

Where did you buy the blank blade? I've been working with a guy that cuts the blades from a picture if you send it to him. It worked on my 911 key, and we've made 4 attempts on the cayenne but can't get the ignition to rotate, key goes in and out ok. I need to find a local guy that can cut it and try it at same time.