WHY DOES VOLKSWAGEN AND AUDI KEYS COST SO MUCH?

WHY DOES VW AND AUDI KEYS COST SO MUCH? 

I'm certain it's a fair question to ask, "Why does a Volkswagen or Audi key cost so much?" It's obviously not made of solid gold or  platinum, nor from the mythical "rear and expensive" material called kryptonite, yet it seems to commands the same price range. For that matter, "Why do all automotive keys cost so much"?It's totally incomprehensible that a key would cost more than the monthly installment of the latest version of the car whose key is in 
question. Its just really expensive, so how to manufacturers justify these charges? Some locksmith can supply the same Volkswagen key or any car key for that matter for a lot less than any automobile agent can; and they can normally also replace most car keys much quicker than the agents. That being said, most people scramble around to get a replacement key after they've lost the only key they have. So, the first rule of owning a car key says, "if there's a possibility of losing the key, or there's a chance of it getting stolen, or locked inside the car, or even breaking, then its imperative get a copy cut before your are forced to have a copy made". 

DUPLICATING A KEY FROM ANOTHER KEY

Today almost all cars manufacturers have pretty much developed their own special type of locks. For example,  Ford and Jaguar have adopted the 8 cut Tibbe lock whereas VAG and Volvo have adopted the ‘Laser’ type lock. So before we continue, we have to acknowledge that not all keys are born equal, because keys generally fall in several categories. There are non vehicular dimple keys and tubular keys, then there  are standard single sided flat steel keys. Then there are non-transponder edge-cut automotive double sided keys steel keys and to duplicate these from another key is the easiest and costs the least and average around R50.00, mearly because those key blacks are cheap and abundant. Then there are the transponder type keys (laser  cut) keys and to duplicate these from another key cost a lot more than that of a flat steel key.  They average around R150.00 - R200.00 because the blank is substantially more expensive, but the main reason for their cost higher, is that one also requires a sophisticated milling key cutting machine with a special cutting adapter kit that cost ten times more than a flat key cutting machine. 

Then there is the high security Tibbe key and to duplicate such a key, roughly cost the same as cutting a transponder key. Tibbe keys also requires the same sophisticated milling key cutting machine fitted with a different cutting Tibbe Key Adapter Kit.  

CUTTING A KEY FROM A CYLINDER  

When you need a key cut but you don't have a sample key, the cost will depend  on the make, the model, the type and the year of manufacture of such vehicle. In such a case the key can be reverse engineered by a locksmith of considerable skill, from either the ignition lock, which then has to be removed from the car or from the drivers door lock, which would also have to be removed from the car. A successfully made key should then be able to start the car, unlock the doors, the boot and the glove compartment as well as the petrol cap if all components are still standard originals. 

Reverse engineering a key is a time consuming, thus a costly exercise and it would be well worth to remember "the first rule of owning a car key". Alternatively, the key can be duplicated from its key code, using the appropriate key duplication equipment and software which is more geared towards the later model cars. However few locksmiths offer this service and since the Tibbe key is not all that common, very few locksmith have the equipment and skill to cut them.

CUTTING TRANSPONDER KEYS

Transponder keys are extremely diverse and quite costly to duplicate for a number of reasons. The key blanks are more costly and the decoding equipment and bitting software needed to duplicate them is also expensive. Probably the best way to duplicate these keys, are from the key code using a computerized key cutting machine. Key codes can be generated from your VIN using the freely downloadable AutoCode - VIN to Key Code Generator App. However, you pay per code, on-line. CodesExpress is similar, but InstaCode is the most comprehensive key data software available today.   It  is compatible with a wide range of electronic, and manual key cutting machines and able to produce the  bitting number from the key code automatically. Its menu allows selections for manufacturer, model and key blank and code.  

But that's not the end of it, because after the key is cut it will open the door but will not start the engine. The fob key electronic head needs to be programmed or replaced with the appropriate frequency, either 315MHz VW/Jetta, 433MHz VW/Audi, or 434MHz VW/Skoda, 868MHz Audi, etc, etc,  and further programming to allow the remote to activate and operate the central locking. You can do this yourself but only if you have a second key, and I'll describe the procedure  in a success blog.

PROGRAMMING

The Philips  Crypto code  transponder duplication / RFID transponder complexity still needs to be contended with after providing proof that the car to which the key in question belongs, is rightfully yours. Programming the Philips  Crypto code Transponder is expensive puerly because the equipment like the JMD Handy Baby, or the MiraClone, or the 884 Decryptor Ultegra, or the AD900Pro needed to duplicate the transponder are currently quite expensive.  

IMMOBILIZER

Virtually every car built after 1996 is equipped with some sort of an anti-theft device that circumvents “hot wring” or theft of the 
the car. Volkswagen calls its system, an Immobilizer. So when the VW key with its embedded  Phillips cryto  transponder / T6 Glass Chip RFID transponder  is inserted into the key hole, it is energized by the reader coil located in the steering column, allowing the evaluation unit (ECU) to authorize  the car to start. If all's well and the codes is verified as correct the car will start, if not, the car will start momentarily and switch off immediately.

CONCLUSION

Having looked at what it takes to produce a valid key, it goes without saying that it's going to be expensive purely because non of the transponder copier manufacturers and key cutting machine manufacturers and the key moulding manufacturers have had a return on their investments as yet. This should change over time but only if enough people loose their keys or if everyone who owns a single key has it duplicated. Essentially when the demand for keys increases. Then and only then will the price reduce. Be that as it may, since Volkswagen doesn't manufacture or cut the key themselves nor program the transponder chip but only act as a middle man to get the key to you, its probably best that you go directly to the locksmiths they use to produce their keys and since Volkswagen's locksmith use the same equipment and keys used by the professional locksmith trading down the street, it is imperative that you support him rather than pour your hard earned cash into the VW money pit. Just last week, a friend who works as a chauffeur was the victim of a  home burglary and the thief stole the key to his boss's Mercedes Benz C320.  When they phoned Orbit Motors to get a replacement, they were quoted R10K  for a key. The bossman was astounded at the price and repeated that he wants to bey a key and not shares in Orbit Motors.

WARNING

Do not be tempted to but keys or transponders off e-bay, e-bid or other e auction. In most cases these transponder chips are plain 
junk. They do not work. There are so many fake items manufactured globally and electronic chips are no different. I've bought several dozen of 4000 series integrated circuits off e-bay, most of which were duds. I think these chips are produced when the production lines were set up and the masks haven't been perfected, which should've ostensibly been dumped, but some how they find their way onto the black market which in my estimate is just another money pit.