Price of Spare Key = Its Weight in Gold!

[juniormarbles]

I was sitting down when told by the dealer (better, monopolist in this case) that a spare key, even the one without the remote switches, would cost me in the neighborhood of $500.- ($350.- for the part, $150.- for the coding.)

My independent Porsche shop tells me that, though Porsche technically complies with U.S. law (aftermarket companies must be allowed to provide the service), the factory makes it cost-prohibitive to non-dealers to cut keys by charging in excess of $20k for the machinery, and an additional monthly service fee to do that.

Has anyone found a less expensive work-around to these outrageous prices? All I want is one of those smaller keys to put in my wallet, in case I lock myself out, or in case I lose the main key on a trip.

Thanks,

JM

[JFP in PA]

The keys for these cars are a reoccurring theme: Expen$ive. They require a special (read expensive) tool to cut, which many locksmiths do not have. I am not aware of any aftermarket source for the blanks. The coding is an issue because it requires proprietary software (PIWIS) to accomplish. Unfortunately, for the most part, only the dealer network has access to all three components, which limits your options.

You can try shopping around different dealers, they often vary widely on what they charge, but in the end you are probably going to have to pay more than you want to get it. Not that it will make you feel any better, but we went through a similar process to get a second key for a customer’s Nissan; the key was $150, the programming was another $95, and everything was “dealer only” for the same reason as Porsche: The market is too small for the aftermarket to tool up and do it for less.

[oceanaxim]

I bought my key from Suncoast, about $175 and the stealership programmed it 1hr labor $125 if I remember correctly.

I feel your pain bro.

[alw911@ashburnva.net]

Here is what it cost me to have both fobs and keys replaced and programmed...

Purchased 2 key blades cut for my car (keysinthepost.com) ~25.00 shipped

1 fob from ebay ~ 120.00 shipped

1 fob from dealer ~ 200.00

Dealer program 2 fobs - $65.00

List of IPAS codes for my car- FREE