T

tjambarker

New Member
I dare say this has been done before, but I did a quick search and found nothing relevant.

I lost my ignition key in the sea whilst surfing last night. The trials and tribulations of the episode are not important here. What I am trying to establish is whether the crap I was told at my local dealership is correct. He insists that the key is a complicated electronic device and it will cost £90 to replace. I hasten to add that I haven't lost the fob that disarms the imobiliser etc, just the key.

My questions are simple. Is what he is saying true? Can I get the key from a source other than a dealership?

Tim
 
sounds about right,i`ve not been able to find my spare since moveing house,it`s one of the jobs i need to sort when i win the lottery this saturday:D
 
Jerry said:
I think a new key has to be ordered by a dealer they do not stock them, it then has to be programmed to your security system and then delivered to the dealer/authorised repairer.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the link. I've checked out this site already and all they talk about is the remote control fob which I still have. I'd be a bit more understanding if I'd lost the lot (I still think £90 is a lot of money for what is a fairly straight forward exercise), but I'm just missing the key. I guess for the price of getting one cut, it might be worth doing if only to find out if there is some kind of passive device installed in the plastic part of the key.

Tim
 
the key as a rolling code (keeps changing)transponder in it, remote key and others cannot do it so its dealer only i`m afraid
 
Smythe is dead right there is a little grey gadget in the plastic end of the key,so it's a dealer only job as he says. Did you only have the one key with the vehicle?
 
I've got a second key and I guess one way around the problem would be to "install" the second key somewhere near the lock and just get a couple of simple keys cut. I still reckon, even with the gadget, they're charging an awful lot for this. I'm into computing and I know the chip itself will be very cheap. Even though they're not producing millions of them they will be producing them in the sort of numbers that will make for economies of scale. So they're screwing you for the programming of the device. Well anyone who has used a card reader will tell you that it's a simple job to read and program a card. OK the reader/programmer will cost a bit to setup but £90 IMHO is a rip-off.

Tim
 
£90 IMHO is a rip-off.


welcome to land rover world were things that cost pence with other makes get noughts added to the end just because its got a green oval logo,i totally agree tjambarker,all i want is some replacement 3 dr sunroof catches but i aye paying them prices what the dealer is asking and they aye any better plastic than 1970`s chinese screwdrivers :D
 
If the key is for a TD4 then it has to come from BMW in Germany.
Be warned, any one with a BMW MERC Rover75(bmw eng)Engine as in the TD4 Freelander the key system is licenced through BMW and is a "Gate" system. There are 10 gates open on a new car, you lose a key and that gate gets shut down by BMW for security purposes, if you have a second hand vehicle you need to know how many gates are left open. If all free gates are closed then you will not be able to obtain a key from anywhere.
Then you will have to have a new ECU fitted and new keys etc, extremely costly exersize (£thousands) and they (main agents)will need you vehicle in for a full day.
You can get a copy key done at any key cutters but it will only open the doors.
GOLDEN RULE IS, make sure you have 2 keys that operate the Ignition even if it does cost you £90, this includes a programming charge where the key/chassis/ECU have to be matched. Oh and dont forget to check the free gates, Oh and dont buy a second hand one unless you are aware of how many gates have been used up. You have been warned!!!!
 
Hi Hugh

Thanks for clarifying the situation with the key. I think part of my frustration is with the condescending attitude of the dealership. It's so unnecessary and I'm sure it's this that gets the brand a bad name. This is the first time I've owned one of their products (had it 6 weeks) and I'm basically delighted with it. I hope the "attitude" doesn't spoil the experience for me!

Looks like I'm going to have to eat humble pie and pay the bill.
 
tjambarker said:
I've got a second key and I guess one way around the problem would be to "install" the second key somewhere near the lock and just get a couple of simple keys cut. I still reckon, even with the gadget, they're charging an awful lot for this. I'm into computing and I know the chip itself will be very cheap. Even though they're not producing millions of them they will be producing them in the sort of numbers that will make for economies of scale. So they're screwing you for the programming of the device. Well anyone who has used a card reader will tell you that it's a simple job to read and program a card. OK the reader/programmer will cost a bit to setup but £90 IMHO is a rip-off.

Tim
Click to expand...

it probably doesnt cost a great deal to make but dont they need to make a profit, do you work for free?
you are probs paying for the fact they design something so its hard to nick your car,
 
LR GUY said:
it probably doesnt cost a great deal to make but dont they need to make a profit, do you work for free?
you are probs paying for the fact they design something so its hard to nick your car,[/quote

At Last!
A return to some sense of normallity:)
Click to expand...
 
Hugh Candoit said:
If the key is for a TD4 then it has to come from BMW in Germany.
Be warned, any one with a BMW MERC Rover75(bmw eng)Engine as in the TD4 Freelander the key system is licenced through BMW and is a "Gate" system. There are 10 gates open on a new car, you lose a key and that gate gets shut down by BMW for security purposes, if you have a second hand vehicle you need to know how many gates are left open. If all free gates are closed then you will not be able to obtain a key from anywhere.
Then you will have to have a new ECU fitted and new keys etc, extremely costly exersize (£thousands) and they (main agents)will need you vehicle in for a full day.
You can get a copy key done at any key cutters but it will only open the doors.
GOLDEN RULE IS, make sure you have 2 keys that operate the Ignition even if it does cost you £90, this includes a programming charge where the key/chassis/ECU have to be matched. Oh and dont forget to check the free gates, Oh and dont buy a second hand one unless you are aware of how many gates have been used up. You have been warned!!!!
Click to expand...


i had similar in a ford i bought new in 95. the keys wore out every 9 months or so. which meant you had to pay ford prices for a new key. after 10 new keys you was susposed to get all new locks and stuff, at a cost of a few brazilion quid. after key number 4 in less than 3 years the car got a flick switch for ign and a push button starter.
as the coding in the key was ok and it was just the cheap metal that was worn i still had to have a key in the ign for the car to start. so no security probs with the flick switch.
 
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