A4 Key - Blank Blade

[A4orce84]

Hey Guys,

Does anyone have a blank blade for sale? I have a remote and thought I could get a blank blade locally, but no luck. Anyone have any they are willing to part with or know where
I can get one? Thanks.


--Asif

[TQMB5]

ebay is the place to get one, i think i picked mine up for 11 bucks shipped

[gsverz]

i might have one at home, i'll check when i get home...

[TripnA4]

I got mine from ebay. They come uncut and you have to take it to local key shop to get it cut.

[Siena]

What profile blade are you after?

[A4orce84]

HAA

gsverz - Thanks man! Please let me know ASAP, I appreciate it greatly! =)

[rice_Rocket88]

I'd be in for one as well... I have a spare remote kicking around.

[Affinitive]

With these keys you're really best off to order the key pre-cut from the dealer. The reason the dealer will not cut "third Party" blanks is because they are usually made of cheap brass which damages the cutting bits on their cutting machines. I can't blame them considering how expensive those machines and cutting bits are. The other trouble I have seen on almost every copy cut key is that the cheap brass blades for one will not even take a cut properly since the brass just flakes and chipes apart when cutting and also using an old worn key as a pattern to cut off ends up making really crappy key.
You really are best off to order the key blade by VIN number precut so that you end up with a properly working key especially on an older car as the ignition and door lock tumblers will have wear and tear on them as well.

The guys over at AMD down the road from me brought me a car with Immo 3 once to do the Immo and Key adaptation. I guess their customer had gotton one of the cheap keys and had it copy cut. The thing was so bad it wouldn't hardly work in the door and was also real touchy in the ignition tumbler as well.

Buying just the blades when orderded by VIN is really not all that expensive, it's the remotes that are expensive and the Immo adaptation. Also with all the Lock Smith Laws, the dealers are required to provide a key within 24 hours in most states.

With my customers, I will only supply Keys if they spend a couple of extra bucks to order it by VIN and I give a better deal on doing the Immo adaptation if I supply the key. Otherwise, they can deal with it on their own.

Not trying to be a prick but usually most people regret trying to save a few bucks later down the road and it also makes a difference on the wear and tear of the lock tumblers.

Just my 2 cents

C

[gsverz]

i could be completely wrong, but can VW cut the key for you as well? i would think they would be cheaper as well...

[TheReflex79]

Good luck trying to find a place to cut a blank...#1 they are laser cut keys from the factory, and #2 there aren't stores and shops that will cut them because they aren't like cutting old school keys. Save yourself the trouble and just shell out the extra cash and go through the dealership. Getting keys aren't like they used to be.

[A4orce84]

I found a few places locally that would cut it, as long as it's pre-immobilizer, which my 99.5 is. I already had the remote, but they said they just needed a blank blade. I have a few friends that already used them, so I know they work.

I found a few on ebay located here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/VW-Switchblade-A...QQcmdZViewItem

They seem legit, and I don't see anything wrong if they have nearly 100% feedback.

--Asif

[rice_Rocket88]

I tried calling all the local dealers here in MA.

VW won't touch it even though it's the same... Audi, well they aren't so helpful, and I called 3 dealers. They do not cut from VIN, I have to bring in the key, and it does cost an arm and a leg.. $80 being for the blank switchblade and somewhere's around $150 for the full sized one. Very odd. $30 more to program the remote.. <sigh>

I also have had very little luck to find any locksmith that laser cuts keys..

[TheReflex79]

I work at a Benz dealership in RI, and Audi is pretty cheap for keys, and that is w/o my discount, I charged a guy $169 for a remote and key for a '98 C43...but they make it that way so only the owner of the car can get keys or remotes for your car. That way some regular guy off the street can get a key for your car.

[Affinitive]

Matching a none Immo remote doesn't take hardly nothing. And for them to charge 30 bucks for 15 seconds of work is pretty steep. You only need another working key. You don't even have to hook up a VagCom. AA car with Immo 3 is a whole different story though.

As for ordering the Key pre cut from the factory by VIN, I've done it several times for my customers and if a dealer is saying they can't do it, then they're idiots or just greedy because they can make more money charging you to cut the key.

In California, it's law that all Vehicle manufacturers have to be able to provide a working key within 24 hours for registered owners who have lost all working keys or stolen recoveries. has to do with the lock smith laws. That's the only reason that independent shop owners like me can perform Immobiliser functions when we purchase factory testers and go through the certification process.

Trust me, ordering a pre cut Key by VIN really is the best way to go. When I order keys, I have to make copies of my customers license and registration for the dealer and VW to keep on file.

C

[MattzWarsteiner]

I tried calling all the local dealers here in MA.

VW won't touch it even though it's the same... Audi, well they aren't so helpful, and I called 3 dealers. They do not cut from VIN, I have to bring in the key, and it does cost an arm and a leg.. $80 being for the blank switchblade and somewhere's around $150 for the full sized one. Very odd. $30 more to program the remote.. <sigh>

I also have had very little luck to find any locksmith that laser cuts keys..

VW dealers aren't allowed to source certain things for Audis. Boston should have several locksmiths that can do this for you.

The term Laser cut is misleading....most locksmiths use a machine that has a motorized bit and special vise for the original. I got my plastic head key done for under $40, blank included. Works great, no complaints.

[hawaii]

I got the blank for about $5 in ebay including shipping. However, I don't know where I can have it cut. I asked a local lock smith and it charges $90 for JUST CUTTING THE BLANK.

[Poopie]

The VW dealership cut my supposedly cheap brass key for me. They did my first spare 3 years ago for free and worked flawlessly. Then my second one a month ago for my avant for free too. I showed up with a box of donuts for their troubles. Audi forces you to purchase the whole key fob for around $250 if you want a spare.

[biketsai]

X2 Asif, if you get it cut, get it done at the VW dealership.

[Ewok_Fetus]

Asif, I had mine done at some key store right off of I-44 onto NW 23rd St... He has to order the blank for about $7 and then the cut is the expensive part... I think it was $23 or $32 out the door... They are very good... If I still lived in OKC, I would show you but I cannot remember EXACTLY where they are, as I said, I think it is right off of I-44 on NW 23rd... Should be on the left if you get off from the south...

[hawaii]

Well. I went to a VW dealer today. As I bought a blank from ebay, I just brought the blank key and the original one and ask them to cut for me. They did and it ONLY COST $20 FOR CUTTING. They just said that my blank is made of brass which is not as hard as the OEM one which is made of steel. Personally, I think their services are really good. =]

[Poopie]

The older VW dealerships have a better chance of having the cutter.

[hawaii]

I don't know how old is the one that I went to as there is only 1 VW dealership near my home.