KEYS

So, been searching for my spare car keys. I've had a look in the obvious places, my next alternative is to turn everything inside out. However, at the prospect of having lost them, I started to look at a replacement. The key is a flip out with remote lock/unlock and includes the engine imobiliser chip. I'm posting this as it might help others in the3 event of......

First place, the Holden dealer - $350 for the key, then another $116 to cut the key and reprogram the chip. I might add, the key I have and the new one are both reprogrammed to a different code. Total cost $466.

I then rang a mobile service specialist in this type of key, their quote to do the above, visit me - $275.

When I was at the local shopping centre, I asked a couple of key cutters in those centre isle type shops. One didn't have any blanks, but told me to keep in touch, the other didn't do this type of key, but he advised me to contact "Port Locksmiths" (S.A.).

So earlier today, I went to see them and was told and shown they had them in stock, it would take about 30 min to cut the key, take their computer out to the car and reprogram both keys, old n new. Total cost $165. I do have the info card I was given when I bought the car new, that has all the key, security codes, VIN etc. They advised me that without it, they would need to contact the dealer for this info, which they have to pay for, which ups the cost. If I can't find it before I next trip away, I know who'll get the job, lol.

Morals of this -
1. Don't lose the key in the first place
2. Shop around (keep in mind you don't know what you are getting from Ebay and it will still need cutting and programming)
3. Never go to a dealer, lol @ near 3 times the price.

Store for a rainy day

On another topic - same car.

At my last logbook service, (Sep 2019) the dealer told me I had about 3mm left on the front brakes (about 5,000 kms). Last week, I noticed my front driver side tyre scrubbing on the inside. Went to the local Bridgestone dealer for a rotate, balance and alignment and to put the scrub tyre as the spare.

Whilst there I asked him for a tyre wear report and to check my front brakes. Guess what, there's over 7mm on the brake pads and plenty of kms left.

He also stated that the spare was as new, so he'd put it to the rear passenger side and the best of the rest to the front.

This got me somewhat angry, as since new I've had 4 dealer logbook services and at each, specifically asked them to do a 5 wheel rotate. I have capped price servicing @ $340.

I went to the local mechanic (RAA approved) who services my wife's car and I know he's a good mechanic. He checked my logbook and quoted $260 for a logbook service.
I think I'll give the dealer the flick, unless it's warranty work.

Not only are they "bloody" expensive, you can't rely on them doing what you do pay for.

As the spare is under the back end, I've never checked it, I will from this point on. Plus it makes one wonder what else they don't do!

I was told nearly two years ago by a Ford dealer that the Falcon wagon needed new rear brake pads and discs when I put it in for a service. Took it home and measured both with my verniers and they were all well within the manufacturers stated tolerance. Checked them again a few weekends ago and they are still ok. Makes you wonder some times doesn't it?

Back in the 80's I owned a HQ wagon. The engine was completely stuffed so I got a Goldstar change-over replacement. While I was getting it changed over I asked the place that did it if they could put in a new clutch plate while they were at it, as it had taken a lot of wear because of slipping caused by oil leaking from the rear main seal. Some months later I dropped the car in for a service somewhere else, and I got a call while I was at work to tell me I needed a new clutch plate. Incredulous, I told the mechanic that can't be as I had a new one put in when I had the change-over engine dropped in. He laughed and said that was impossible, as my almost worn out clutch plate was impregnated with burned oil from the previous leaking seal on the old motor. I rang the mob who were a distributor for the change over engine, and of course they stuck to the story that it was a new clutch plate. I rang Consumer Affairs and spoke to them about it, but at that time it would have meant a day off of work to go into the city to lodge a formal complaint, a statement from the mechanic who discovered the scam (along with the old clutch plate that he had to replace), and a whole lot of grief that in the end didn't make it worth while. I do most of my own repairs nowadays if I have the time, and if I don't I never let them go ahead with anything until I've had a look at it myself and I'm sure it's legit.

And I thought it was just me :8 !
Last one was $500 for a $50 part, lucky I phoned my usual mechanic for some advice. Oh thats just our supplier! I got from them. What a load of BS!
So I try to stick to my proven mechanic - its a two week wait and some distance, but I know hes good, hes a fellow prospector
Makes me wonder how many of us are getting this treatment?

As Deepseeker states ..... When you know you have been scammed, the time, grief, difficulty and even possible cost of redress is often not worth what you've been ripped off for.

I forgot to mention, when I went to the dealer for a key cost at spare parts, I walked around to the service desk. I told them about the duff brake info as well as the lack of tyre rotation. The guy actually looked up the service record and saw the brake comment as well as my request for rotate, on record.

I got no apology, but was told "the manager would be informed". SFW

My local Mech and the Bridgestone both have a policy of "Don't enter the workshop", which is primarily a safety thing. However, when either notice anything, they grab me from the waiting room, take me to the hoist and show me what they find. In fact when Bridgestone did the tyre rotate etc, I was in the workshop during the rotate, balance and alignment. But he does know I'm workshop savvy from my Airside Safety training etc.

I might add that whilst there, the National Manager of Bridgestone arrived to inform the manager (the guy doing my tyres) that the store had won National Store of the Year.
This store also replaced a tyre on my caravan...... next

Reminded me of the Van debacle, lol.

I bought my van new, a part of the 3 year Warranty was a Free service at 6 months, then an annual service at 18 mths and 30 months. A part of that service was to check, adjust and repack the wheel bearings and check the electric brakes.

When I took the van into Bridgestone for the tyre, I also booked it in for a service on the wheels, bearings and brakes.

Guess what, I get called out to the workshop, shown the dust covers of the wheel bearings before being removed. Their opinion, which I agree with, the caps had never been removed. They then removed them to find dirty, filthy grease. They had never been touched in the 3 services.

I also watched the guys do the job. They removed the hubs bearings etc and washed out everything, checked the bearings, brakes and activation. Repacked new grease and adjusted what need adjusting. That job cost me $130, which is less than half what the van dealer charged for a service that most probably wasn't done.

I might add, that both the car and van dealers WON'T let me or any customer anywhere near their workshop. Makes you wonder what they are hiding. I'm also well aware that most car dealers, give the service jobs to their apprentices, while the tradies do the repair and warranty work.

I do most of my own servicing, & some repairs/replacements, but on occassions where i need to send it to a mechanic I use a reputable business, and I insist any old parts taken out MUST be given back to me for evaluation. I never get screwed by doing that.

Yep

Dealer told me I neeeded to replace the window washer motor as both front and back wasn't working
360 bucks

I knew there was no water in them and asked if they checked the water level.
Yes of course - we gave your car a full service and checked everything
Yeah right.

I filled the water tank up while i was there in front of the guy taking the money.
Both worked and he sheepishly explained that he thought the water level had been checked.

Condor ask the Locksmith if they can supply a key less the remote and transponder chip (all metal key) to attach under your vehicle. For use if you ever get locked out, keep a spare programmed key in the car tucked away. Having all the vehicle details on the info card saved you plenty :Y: Dealers are bloody thieves when it comes to pricing anything and everything had a similar experience regarding tyre rotation at service I'm looking for a new service provider.

That's why Dealers are called Stealers... :argh:

Just like Sharks, Real Estate agents and used car salesmen, best to be avoided at all costs... :8

LW...

Had to get a key for the vw golf and nearly fell over $820 ea key the said they needed to proram in details which was time consuming. I sold the golf with only one key.
hh

I'm still looking for the bloody thing, not gonna part with the dosh unless absolutely no choice.

Not a big fan of under the car as I do go off road. Might look at one of those hitch key safes you fit in the tow hitch cos I remove the bar when the van is camped up.
For 2 reasons, first I get fed up of cracking shins when I go to the boot and second, going off road, on some crossings the tow bar bottoms out with the tongue in place.

I lost one set of my car keys and they never turned up. You can't afford to lose both sets so I paid to get another coded set from a mobile locksmith which was a heck of a lot cheaper than dealers or some of the shop based locksmiths. As my car keys have the electric bits inside and always worried when out panning in water if I fall over or drop them. So I had one cut without the electronics only cost about $8.00, it will open the door but will not start the motor. So I lock the proper key hidden in the car and take the door key with me panning and getting it wet will not matter.

Blocker said:

I lost one set of my car keys and they never turned up. You can't afford to lose both sets so I paid to get another coded set from a mobile locksmith which was a heck of a lot cheaper than dealers or some of the shop based locksmiths. As my car keys have the electric bits inside and always worried when out panning in water if I fall over or drop them. So I had one cut without the electronics only cost about $8.00, it will open the door but will not start the motor. So I lock the proper key hidden in the car and take the door key with me panning and getting it wet will not matter.

Click to expand...

I will ask about that if and when I give up looking for the "misplaced" key. Sounds like a good idea.

I had our car keys stolen and remotes for the garage doors as well; a few years ago... A well known member on here, was able to recommend a some what local lock smith.

2 x keys and new fobs for each car / new locks for the doors on each car and new barrel config for the ignition for each car AND then all re programmed.

You do not want to know what the dealers wanted to do all that... and some of the other lock smiths were not that much cheaper. Could have ended up costing about $2K per car if I recall. AND not covered by Car or House Contents Insurance but that is a different story and very messy. At the end of the day, every cent came from my pocket and getting the right people/person saved us.

The guy was mobile and did a great job in a short time and as we were rather desperate etc. he fitted us in ASAP. He also indicated that many out there do make $ on the situation in addition to the actual job.

I would give a big shout out to the said person on the forum, but my memory has never been good for names; but you know who you are

Would hate to call the wrong person out LOL but as I type 7.62 comes to mind ?

I checked a few things re reimbursement.

Household Insurance - Might be covered, but the policy excess is more than the replacement cost.
Comprehensive insurance - Not sure if covered, but the same applies with the policy excess.
RAA Roadside - Not covered for just a key replacement, however. - If I were to say break the physical key off in the ignition when away, my coverage would entitle a discount for a locksmith to come out and get me going. How much, I don't know and as locksmiths charges are so varied, impossible to quantify.

So, my wallet wears it, but given the wide range of prices I noted, it definitely pays to shop around.

Our contents and car would cover one key for each car. Then the excess.

Barrels and door locks not covered fir me as not stolen.

I hope it all works out for you... and not too expensive

Might check the PDs to confirm, as mentioned above $165