Having a valet key made at the dealer? Am I getting juiced?? - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

jeff740 · 03-13-2006, 09:22 AM

Hi everyone, I recently purchased my 2001 boxster that unfortunately came with only the master key. I have been investigating various prices to have a valet key made from various dealers and found that there seems to be alot of inconsistency. $70 to have the blade cut plus an additional $50 for the chipped key head seem to be the normal prices that im getting. On top of the cost of the hardware, some dealers are also trying to hit me with 1 hours worth of labour to reprogram the keys or the ignition...not sure which one though. I was just wondering if the dealer is trying to juice me on the labour and am I going to have to just bite the bullet on this one??

I live in Toronto where my local dealership quoted me a laughable $390 Canadian for the same key vs. the $130 plus labour at the U.S. dealer which is just an hours drive from here.

I would love to hear about others experiences with this

Thanks.

Jeff.

Brucelee · 03-13-2006, 11:32 AM

There is a sep charge for the cut blade and for the "chipped" head. Some dealers will program for free, others will not.

That is the deal!

TriGem2k · 03-13-2006, 11:45 AM

$70 to cut the key????? I had a master made and just had a local lock smith cut it for me for $25 and the dealer programmed the key for free. Total cost for everything if i remember correctly was $175

rubberduckie · 03-13-2006, 04:36 PM

I had the same problem when I bought my Boxster. I took the one key I got with the car to my locksimth and he told me that it needed to be cut with a laser and he couldn't do it. So, I went to my dealer and was quoted $45 out the door cost. I really was happy with that price and got it made then and there. The hour of labour is complete cr*p, the guy did it in like 5 minutes while I was standing there. However, the key I got was the most basic valet ket you can get, plain black plastic head w/o programming, still, it got the job done as it is a spare. Hope this helps. I wouldn't pay a dime over $100 no matter where you live.

jeff740 · 03-14-2006, 08:19 AM

Definitely sounds like they are trying to stick it to me a little with the programming costs for the chip. I will be heading down to Tampa in a couple of weeks so perhaps I should investigate some of the dealers down there??

Of the dealers that I have called in the Toronto and buffalo area it sounds like none of them have any laser cutting equipment on site. They all have said that the keys have to come from Porsche themselves and would take 3-4 days which might explain the higher costs. I cant imagine losing my only key while shopping at the local walmart and having to leave the car there while waiting for a replacement....

Perhaps I should investigate a dealer who can do it on site and see what the price is there.

Again, thanks for the input everyone.

Jeff.

Brucelee · 03-14-2006, 08:42 AM

I have not found a dealer that will cut the key.

Hence, you buy a blank, have it cut, take it back to dealer, and they code the key.

Anyway you look at it, it is expensive and time consuming.

MNBoxster · 03-14-2006, 08:58 AM

Hi,

First off, the Valet Key is just a key, no ability to open the Trunk/Hood. It still has a chip in it for the Ignition Immobilizer. This means that the Dealer needs to use the PST2 to program it.

The PST2 complete setup costs the Dealer something like $10k with Annual Subcription/Upgrade costs of about $4k. They need to charge to recover these costs, although I also believe many treat it as a Profit Center as well. Further Confirmation that owning a Porsche ain't cheap...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

Porschekid · 03-14-2006, 09:05 AM

Hmm, my extra key without remote for my Audi A4 was only $50 and I think it is the same laser-cut style as my Boxster key. They did it all at the Porsche/Audi dealer too.

KRZTACO · 03-14-2006, 09:11 AM

My key just stopped working, so I purchased a new full function key and had my Mechanic Hergesheimer Motorsports reprogram the key for me. It cost about $210 including labor and parts, the stealership wanted around $300 (Newport Beach Porche in so cal)

Locksmith's can cut the key (around $20), and have a Porsche Mechanic reprogram for you if they have the equipment (Probably around $60-100 depending on Mechanic). Luckily Hergeshiemer has all the equiment so it was no prob. and it did take them about 30 mins to reprogram the key/and install put the key all together.

KRZ