2nd key Required

[MGpaulie]

My 2010 A3 2.0TDi came with just one key and despite promises from the seller the second key is yet to turn up. Audi dealer (75 miles away) has quoted me £210 + vat for new key - £140 for key & £70 for programming.

Is there a less expensive way to do this. I see on ebay that you can buy new blank keys that need programming but there are various part nos & frequencies for these new keys.

1. How can I tell which is the right new 'part no' & 'frequency'?
2. Can the programming be done by dealer only?

Thx

Paul

[Crasher]

Not a simple or cheap thing to get done. The old “missing” key should be erased from the immobiliser as well, just in case.

[Mike Foster]

£210 is a bit steep but it is likely to be £160 minimum.

You can buy similar keys on ebay and if the frequency is the same (434mHz in UK) and the part number the same (flip up the blade and the part number is underneath ) then the lock/unlock can be programmed in.

However the immobiliser is a different chip inside the key which cannot be reprogrammed. It is a one-off coded chip.

To get a new key to actually start the vehicle a dealer has to get the 'secret' coded bit from Audi Germany and insert a brand new chip into the key before they re-code it.

Some people say they have been successful in doing this but I find it is dependant on the year of the vehicle. As yours is very new then I would suggest that it cannot be done yet for less than the £160 ish I have mentioned.

I have a 2006 vehicle and despite various goes with 'new detection software' it has not yet been successful.

Earlier cars with 3 button keys that do not have the metal strip running down the right hand side can be copied fairly easily and cheaply !

[Mick-]

Paul, my 55 plate A3 (bought late 2010 from an indy trader) came with only 1 key. I did a bit of research, found I could get a "blank" key with the correct frequency fob etc., on ebay - cost around £35

Before buying, I made enquiries of various automotive locksmiths - no "bonafide" professional I spoke to would touch such an item. One mobile service quoted me £190 for "call-out, key supply and coding" but advised me if I had a working key I would be best contacting Audi because they would be cheaper as no call-out. Local Audi Centre quoted me £95 for the key and £65 to recode both the new and the existing keys (thus ensuring the missing key can no longer operate the car), i.e. £30 less than the mobile indy.

I went the Audi Centre route for the following reasons: you buy a second-hand key off ebay and find someone to recode it; if it doesn't work, you go to the seller and he say it's got to be the coding; you go to whomever you got to code it and they say it's the key; you go to Audi and they don't want to know... and hopefully, whomever has played with the vehicle/key coding has not stuffed the rest of the computerised wizardry. I figured that I might save about £80 but have absolutely no guarantee that I would not simply be £80 out of pocket with a screwed immobiliser and a significant potential bill to get it put right.

I know the Audi Centre cost seems high but at least you have a "one stop shop" in the unlikely event of a problem.

[MGpaulie]

Thx guys for your responses. I think I'll stick with getting it from the Audi dealer and just live with the costs.

Cheers

Paul