Worth paying for an extra key?

CBFi

The car I'm buying only has one key...is it worth forking out €150 for the garage to get a second key in case of emergency? Is there a cheaper way to get one?

Toyotafanboi

if i was spending more than 2 or 3 grand i would really try and bargain a second key into the purchase deal.

for a lot of manufacturers you can get a lower spec key (no remote central locking functionality etc.) for a lower price.

galwaytt

...when you get locked out of the car for the first time, 100 miles from home...............or when you lose the one key you have and have to spend 500 to buy all-new locks and to re-code the key............

...then ask yourself: should I have spent the 150 ?

Mrs W

galwaytt wrote: »

...when you get locked out of the car for the first time, 100 miles from home...............or when you lose the one key you have and have to spend 500 to buy all-new locks and to re-code the key............

...then ask yourself: should I have spent the 150 ?

My brother did this, left the car in a pay parking area on a sunday. Had to get a 3 hour bus home, try get a key done and go back after work 2 days later.
A week after that his friend found the keys...

Definitely worth 150 to get a spare

CiniO

What car is that?
2 years ago I wanted to get one for Mazda 6.
Mazda dealer in Castlebar asked for 150 euro.
Locksmith in town centre asked for 90 quid.
Eventually I got it done in Poland for 40 quid.

I never needed to use it luckily, but I still don't think money was wasted. In case I lost the only key, bill would be 10 times the price at least.

CBFi

CiniO wrote: »

What car is that?

A3.

Thanks for the replies - the horror story has convinced me.

Toyotafanboi

a while back during the winter i pulled up at a self service car wash. was pretty cold outside so i said i would leave the engine on with the heater on so i would be toasty when i got back in

hopped out, washed the car lovely job!

went to get back in, door locked! tried the passenger door, locked too and as i look in the window i can see my mobile and wallet on the passenger seat. so here i am at tesco's, car in the wash bay with the engine ticking over, doors locked, keys, mobile and wallet all inside the car.

it was such a conundrum leaving the car to go to the store to use the phone... just felt wrong walking away from my running car in public with my most valuable possessions locked inside. had a spare key at home thank god but lost a few litres of fuel to the cause.

Stheno

Most places that cut keys can make a spare and code it for the immobiliser, costs about €40

_Kaiser_

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

a while back during the winter i pulled up at a self service car wash. was pretty cold outside so i said i would leave the engine on with the heater on so i would be toasty when i got back in

hopped out, washed the car lovely job!

went to get back in, door locked! tried the passenger door, locked too and as i look in the window i can see my mobile and wallet on the passenger seat. so here i am at tesco's, car in the wash bay with the engine ticking over, doors locked, keys, mobile and wallet all inside the car.

it was such a conundrum leaving the car to go to the store to use the phone... just felt wrong walking away from my running car in public with my most valuable possessions locked inside. had a spare key at home thank god but lost a few litres of fuel to the cause.

These kind of stories scare me as while I DO have a spare key, it could be anywhere from 20 mins away to 4 hours away (allowing for the return trip).

How does this happen? I know a lot of cars (mine included) have an auto-lock option but this doesn't kick in until you move off or unless you haven't opened the doors after using the fob.

Toyotafanboi

Kaiser2000 wrote: »

These kind of stories scare me as while I DO have a spare key, it could be anywhere from 20 mins away to 4 hours away (allowing for the return trip).

How does this happen? I know a lot of cars (mine included) have an auto-lock option but this doesn't kick in until you move off or unless you haven't opened the doors after using the fob.

in my circumstance the button that centrally locks the car from the inside is right by where you would rest your elbow on the door. if you hit it with your elbow and then open the drivers door is doesn't auto-unlock at that stage if you get me. so if you shut the door behind yourself you are ****ed

biko

Locksmith fellas in little crane quoted me 60 for a copy with transponder.

Layinghen

Absolutely get a second key. As others have said shop around you don't have to go to the main dealer. If you want to check out lockdoctor.ie and see if they are located near you. I have used them in the past and found them excellent.

galwaytt

Stheno wrote: »

Most places that cut keys can make a spare and code it for the immobiliser, costs about €40

Not for an Audi you won't. The blade alone costs more than €40...

Stheno

galwaytt wrote: »

Not for an Audi you won't. The blade alone costs more than €40...

Ah sorry, I was basing it on getting alfa and citroen keys redone

fasttalkerchat

My insurance will pay for a locksmith and another key if I lose mine. It came as standard for me but is usually only an extra fiver.