VW Replacement Key

Donie75

Hi,
My sister just got her first car, a 2001 VW Polo. The only problem is that there is only one key with the car. She's afraid that she'll be stuck if she loses the key as she has no spare. I checked a few places and they are all looking for €120 to €170.
Is there a cheaper alternative? Is it worth getting a nonchipped key just to get into the car in case she locks the keys into it?

Any advice welcome...

dubmick

VW in Airside charged me €80 for a 2nd key for my 00 Golf a few years back.

woody33

i think I was quoted €70 for a chipped key for my '97 Polo at a little place in a shopping centre. I was tempted to get a non-chipped key but I usually just leave the boot unlocked so i could climb in that way if I had to. Shhh, don't tell anyone, also it's easy to see the boot is not locked by the angle of the keyhole. Or you could tape the chipped key near the ignition lock and just use the unchipped key to open and start the car, but you would lose the immobiliser feature and anyone could start the car. Your insurance co. might not be impressed.

ikillcopiers

You could get a key and not code it, if that's what you're talking about.

When you buy a key from VAG, the key comes pre-cut, it will open
the door locks straight away (unless they have been changed!).
Then you need to code it to the car's ECU in order to use it to
start the engine.
It is usually not required to code the key to unlock/lock the car,
but some of the newer cars do require it.
If you want to buy a key and not code it, or code it somewhere other
than a VAG garage, you can do that.

The prices you are quoting are most likely inclusive of the key coding,
for a remote fob key also.
A VAG garage will code all the keys at once, as they actually generate
a new code for the keys and the ECU at the same time.
There are several locksmiths/security specialists who can "clone" your
original key, not touching the ECU system.

For most VAG cars you can get what is usually called a "service key",
which is just a key on it's own with no buttons, and is usually much
cheaper.

Be careful though, some service keys restrict the mileage you can do
on one use, but this is usually only with performance cars to prevent
technicians taking something out the road

You would probably be as well off to bite the bullet and buy a new remote
key and code it, and then you can "retire" the current key, and have a
shiny new key on your keyring.

That's what I did with my car anyhow.