Extra key (and remote) with the correct immobiliser

[gregozedobe]

"They really are $500, so look after them Ron. You don't want to lose one."

At least you do know they are very expensive and difficult to replace quickly, and so can make sure you look after them carefully.

I feel for any poor sod who loses or damages the only one they have because they thought they were only $50 or $100 to replace and you could get one without any drama at any locksmith or dealer. Imagine their shock when they find out the truth (and then get told they can't drive their car until the new key arrives from overseas ! ).

[Zombie]

I just phoned the local dealer who advised it was $440 for key and remote for my T5.

..around $200 for key alone without programming.

It's totally out of control...

[wfdTamar]

Well, I've just bought a brand new complete uncut Skoda key off ebay UK for $95 so it'll be interesting to see if it works after I get it cut and code it with the VCDS. At worst it'll allow me to get into the car if I lock the one key I have inside.

[redline3345]

So, after all this, my advice is:

1 Don't lose your keys, they are precious and difficult to replace.

2 If you want a spare, buy the key half from your local dealer, and buy the remote half from fleaBay (or me, I have 2 "spare" spares).

3 If you think you may end up locking your keys in your car (very easy to do), it is fairly cheap to get a "dead" (ie no transponder) key, and hide it somewhere on your car's exterior (please, be creative about your hiding spot, otherwise you may find your insurer asking awkward questions). This will allow you to get into your car, but it can't be driven away with this dead key.

.

Can you explain what you mean by the "key half" and the "remote half"?
My keys only have the battery compartment lid come off, and don't appear to disassemble any further than that.

[gregozedobe]

Can you explain what you mean by the "key half" and the "remote half"?
My keys only have the battery compartment lid come off, and don't appear to disassemble any further than that.

Hmmm, sounds like Skoda has followed VW's recent lead and changed the Key fob so it is a one-piece unit. So now you can't buy a separate remote half for these newer ones.

The older versions of fobs were a two piece unit. with one half being the remote (locking and unlocking doors only), with the key (blade) and rfid (immobiliser) chip for the ignition switch being the other half (they literally separated into two pieces, each about the same size as each other).

This will probably mean Skoda is the only practical supplier for key fobs (as the correct rfid chips seem to be very difficult/near impossible to source - I never did find any that would work for my Octy, and they seemed to tighhten these security thing up as newer models come out).

So my previous advice is more relevant then ever - look after your Skoda keys, they are expensive and difficult to replace.

[wfdTamar]

Bargain - the complete new key I got off ebay worked.

$95 key
$40 cutting blade
$50-60 coding at Skoda (not sure exactly because it was done with some other things).

$185-195 Total

ebay seller was tmc_car_keys

Item title
NEW SKODA REMOTE KEY 1K0959753G OCTAVIA, ROOMSTER (that part number matched my existing key)

My car is a 2008 Octavia Elegance 4x4. This has the version 4 immobiliser which needs to be done by Skoda (can't be done with VCDS as you can't get the codes you need )

Also getting a non electronic key for $40 from the locksmith.

[gregozedobe]

^ Good result indeed

This has the version 4 immobiliser which needs to be done by Skoda (can't be done with VCDS as you can't get the codes you need )

I had an idea that VCDS could code keys IF you had the code from the plastic tag that comes with the keys on a new car (or you can also get the code/s using some of the more specialised/powerful diagnostic software that can interrogate the ECU eg VAG Commander or somesuch ?)

[wfdTamar]

I didn't have the tag from the keys (but I think you need more than just that).

VCDS needs a PIN which (I gather) comes live from Skoda to the VAGCOM once the dealer put in your car details. You also need the workshop and dealer codes (which they ain't giving to us) and the date the PIN was received.


From Ross-Tech support email:

'..provided you can get the PIN code for the Immobilizer, VCDS should be able to do key adaptation:

Immobilizer IV Key Matching - Ross-Tech Wiki

VCDS does not retrieve PIN information and can not do key adaptation without the PIN.'


Explained better here:
Immobilizer - Ross-Tech Wiki

[tones]

Sorry guys, I know this is an old thread, but I thought it was appropriate to continue this discussion rather than starting a new thread.

I have a 2010 Octavia RS, and have had difficulty trying to source a replacement spare key (other than going to the dealer). I got quoted $425 for a key by a dealer ($260 for the key, $77 to cut the key, and $88 to code it).

Haven't been able to find a suitable part on eBay, but I did find an online seller based in China who does sell my key. The seller is called Apollo Auto (link here). The key would cost ~$95 shipped, and I could just get it cut locally, and then pay the dealer to code it. All up I would be saving at least $200.

Has anyone dealt with Apollo Auto before? Should I be wary of buying from them?