Emergency Key

[mecg]

Anyone have any scoop on getting a plastic emergency key for their B8/8.5 A4? My car came with 2 regular keys when I bought it 3 months ago but didn't come with the plastic emergency key, which I'd like to have if it doesn't cost an arm and a leg to get. Any reasonable alternatives to the replacement stealership keys with their idiotic prices?

[B G 8er]

I'd be surprised if you could get this aftermarket. genuineaudiparts.com which is run by Audi San Diego generally has discounted prices. You might also reach out to Joe, the Parts Manager at Audi Beverly Hills and tell him your a member of the Audi community on-line, maybe ask him if he can give you a break. I'm going to assume they really just need your vin and proof that you are the3 registered Owner. Both of these businesses cater to the national, on-line community.

[jfo]

The emergency key also has a chip and is programmed to your car. No alternative to the dealer.

[JeriQo]

The emergency key also has a chip and is programmed to your car. No alternative to the dealer.

is it waterproof or no? i was planning on carrying this around with me to the lake rather than the smart keys

[jfo]

It appears that it would be, but not sure if it's actually water tight. It's just a solid piece of molded plastic with the chip in the thicker part. I can see a seam line which suggests there is a cap piece that is pressed/snapped on.

[mecg]

I just got another quote from the parts department at the dealer I bought the car from. The prices are considerably cheaper than what my salesman quoted me last. $68 for the key itself and $118.40 for the programming. So a lil less than $200. The last figure I was quoted was about $350. I will probably go ahead with it at this price.

[JeriQo]

I just got another quote from the parts department at the dealer I bought the car from. The prices are considerably cheaper than what my salesman quoted me last. $68 for the key itself and $118.40 for the programming. So a lil less than $200. The last figure I was quoted was about $350. I will probably go ahead with it at this price.

this is what i was pondering... it couldnt be over 150. its well worth it if you do alot of outdoor activities. man that 350 is the price of the smart key.

[mecg]

this is what i was pondering... it couldnt be over 150. its well worth it if you do alot of outdoor activities. man that 350 is the price of the smart key.

Yeah, I made sure the salesman was asking about the plastic emergency key and not the smart key, though. As always, it's still possible there was a miscommunication or misunderstanding. I'm still waiting to hear back from them on whether or not I would need to bring both of my smart keys along for the programming phase or not.

[mecg]

And, I just heard back from them. I would need to bring both smart keys for the programming phase.

[JeriQo]

Can you verify with them if these plastic keys are waterproof?

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk

[mecg]

I will ask.... stand by.....

[mecg]

This from the parts department: "It doesn’t say that it is. But it is a sealed plastic key. The key does have chip in it. Do the water thing at your own risk"

[JeriQo]

well... i guess its gonna be hidden under a rock lol

[mecg]

The other thing you can do is to seal up the seam that houses the chip with a thin layer of RTV. That would make the key waterproof. And, that's what I will be doing once I get the key and it's programmed.

[mecg]

Just as a quick update, I got the key and got it and both smart keys programmed at the dealer yesterday. The new E key works great at both manually unlocking the driver's door and for starting the car once it is placed in the holder that is stored in the glovebox. The key is now in my wallet, just in case. Mission accomplished!