Automotive Locksmith Experiences

[philbey]

So my other car I managed to snap the key off in the ignition months ago. I kept driving, just used the stub to start it.

 

Car is undergoing some work so I pulled the ignition out, it's fairly easy as it's dash mounted. I bought a blank to get cut from the states.

 

Spoke, in detail, to a Locksmith who reckoned he could pull it out and cut the new blank to match my spare. I also wanted to look at getting the sloppy barrel rebuilt (new wafers). I did my best not to tell him what sort of car it is, but it's difficult to get anywhere....

 

So I had to tell him it's a porsche 911. Talked for a while longer then he says "yeah, I can tell you straight up it'll be 170 bucks to remove the broken key and cut a new one (with my supplied blank!)". And remember, I pulled the ignition out; that's the hard bit!

 

Pffft stick that up your arse. Went home, thought about it, some skulduggery, 3 small sewing needles, 5 minutes of my time and I had the old piece out on the coffee table.

 

From what I know, that price is absolutely bullshit; I've had mates get full ignition barrels and door locks keyed to match for under 100 bucks! He was just going to jam an extractor in and slip the sucker out!

 

Worst thing about owning a 911, everyone just assumes they can take you for a ride.

 

Anyone confirm my thoughts?

[styler]

sounds like he's taking you for a a ride... unless its a special key ie blank shape cost or integrated immobiliser

it shouldnt be that much, all they need is a copy of the key or the code for the cut which they feed into the machine.

[irokin]

Could have just told him it was a Beetle ;)

[daggers57]

sounds like he's taking you for a a ride... unless its a special key ie blank shape cost or integrated immobiliser

it shouldnt be that much, all they need is a copy of the key or the code for the cut which they feed into the machine.

 

 

As a locksmith for many years it always amazed me how prices can differ so much from job to job.

I assume you took the lock into the shop so at most I would have charged $33 to remove the key

and between $14 and $44 to cut the key to CODE (not a duplicate), this involves sourcing the code,

which is difficult with euro cars or reading the cuts on the broken key by eye and then entering them

into a database to get the code which is then sent to a computer controlled key machine and

hey presto a new key cut to the exact OEM specs.

 

However, even with the latest version of Instacode, which is the most comprehensive database available, european manufacturers (particularly Porsche, Merc & BMW) are very reluctant to release data, so the info usually isn't there, this makes cutting the key somewhat of a hit and miss affair.

But still $170 is far too much.

 

P.s, Instacode cost several 1000s + annual updates @ around 200+

and the computer controlled key machine I used costs around $35,000 + 100s for adapters to cut different keys, so maybe this locksmith was just trying to pay off his machine quickly ;)

[B.L.Z.BUB]

Everyone hears Porsche and tacks on 40%. Even if its old school.

Just make sure you arnt wearing white pants when you tell them that.

[philbey]

Oh I would have told him its a beetle, but the blank I have unfortunately has Porsche emblazoned on it, whereas my existing keys are obviously Silca replacements.

 

thanks for the input Daggers. I wouldn't be surprised if I can hit Porsche up for the Key indentification for my car, they can provide you with a full detailed list of factory specs for the chassis number etc. I just hate dealing with Porsche Australia.

 

Anyway, I'll just take the key in to get cut elsewhere. This dude was going to machine cut it I'm certain, he was a mobile dude.

[Felix]

The price you pay for owning a cool Euro car.

 

It is exactly the same for my 7 series E32 Bmw.

 

Awhile back I had a rock smash the lense of one of my high beams. Would have cost around $140 for a new aftermarket replacement unit (probs triple that for genuine). LOL, what I did was buy a cheap new headlight unit from some other car with the same sized lense. I removed the broken glass from the old light, cut the lense out of the new one and siliconed it into the orig high beam. Cost $23 plus a couple of hours stuffing around. ;)

 

I need to get another key cut myself. I'm scared to think how much they'll want for it.

[silverra23]

I got a second hand door lock recoded to my existing key for Mr Hanky and I was stung $40.. well it felt like a sting... next time I will do a little shopping around rather than just drop in to the local.

 

Imagine what they would sting you since that was just for an AE71 ;)