Don't lose your keys!!...££££

[GSB]

I have somehow mislaid one of my car keys at work, which was a little annyoing as I had to drive home in a pick-up truck the other night...

I have to say its normally unlike me to be quite so daft, and I'm sure it'll turn up eventually... Just in case though, I phoned up Mr T...

Me: How much for a new ignition key for a 2001 MR2?
Mr T: Is it an Import?
Me: Yes, its an EU car.
Mr T: Can't do imports mate, we dont keep the key numbers on file. And besides they (imports) are different.
Me:   s:roll: :roll: s:roll:  Don't be a plank, it's exactly the same car you sell in your showroom, and I've got the key number.
Mr T: Oh.
Me: How much then?
Mr T: Well, I think you're looking at about £170 + VAT.
Me:   s:shock: :shock: s:shock:  

And so it goes on... Just for confirmation I phoned up an independant locksmith, who confirmed to me that they are "Obscene mate, dearest keys on the market." Apparently they have to pay £125 + VAT just for the blank keys, and then they have to program them. Rough cost is £180 +VAT for one new key.

Just to add insult to injury, if like me you should lose one of your keys, and then fate were to render your remaining key unusable. Then you would have to replace the ECU as well as fork out for a suite of new keys (and possibly, the locks), at lord knows what sort of cost... Until you've saved up you could always use your grey "slave" key, but you wouldn't be able to lock/unlock your fuel door or glove box, and you wouldnt be able to activate the cars deadlocking.

[Slacey]

Touch wood, I've never lost my car or house keys, and pray to god I never do now!   s:shock: :shock: s:shock:

[SteveJ]

And here's the worst bit - the lost key will remain on the alarm and the ECU for ever, so if you think the key may resurface and be traceable to your car, it will be able to start it.

The only way to stop this is to change the ECU

[Anonymous]

I only had one key when I bought my secondhand MR2. I rang my local dealer (in Coventry) and they charged me £130 inclusive. There was only one problem.....

...my car is an EU import, and the dealer reckons that they cannot supply a key because they cannot marry up the VIN number with a lock number (despite me giving them the number from the key). They told me over the phone that I would have to take the door apart and find the number written of the lock! They also charged me the £130, without supplying the key   s:evil: :evil: s:evil:  

Simon

[Tem]

Apparently they have to pay £125 + VAT just for the blank keys, and then they have to program them. Rough cost is £180 +VAT for one new key.

I made a "dummy" copy of the key a while ago. So that it only works on the locks, but can't start the car...kinda like opposite to the valet key. The subject came up and he said that blank real keys cost about 100 euros (£60, including VAT), but the machine capable of coding them costs a fortune. I believe he mentioned "a few hundred thousand euros".



"Then you would have to replace the ECU"

Meant to ask this earlier, but now that you reminded me...does Apexi PFC have the immobilizer in it? Or is that like saying welcome to thieves.

[Peter Wright]

You dont get this trouble with Jap imports

Pete

[GSB]

You dont get this trouble with Jap imports

Pete

Tell that to Rogue, his MR-S was swiped quite some time ago and he had a hell of a time getting the locks and ECU sorted.

[Anonymous]

You dont get this trouble with Jap imports

Pete

yeah mate went down to the local key cutting shop £5
sorted

[GSB]

Ha!- you can poke your £170+VAT up yer harris Mr. T, I've found my missing key!  s:bounce: :bounce: s:bounce:  

Located it in the gravel in a little used area at work, pure fluke really, but its been outside all this time and it still works a treat. Mind you, the keyrings rusted up to hell, so I'll need a new one...  s:wink: :wink: s:wink:

[Slacey]

You lucky......   s:wink: :wink: s:wink:  

Try not to lose it again!   s:lol: :lol: s:lol:

[Comer]

Nice one.  Consider it a reward for the H&S work  s:wink: :wink: s:wink: