chipdog59

Has anyone purchased a switchblade key from ECS?. They adverise they will cut the key for your Audi once you provide the required information and it arrives ready to start your car. I am needing a spare key but wanted to know if this really works.

Batman

The coding for immobilizer must be done at a VW/Audi dealership. The key will lock/unlock your door and turn the power on, but the car won't start - well, actually it will, but then the motor will shut off a moment later.

My dealer quoted me $65 for the service.

EDIT: I should also add, I'm doing the same thing myself because I only have one key that can start my car. I just bought an uncut key and key fob from eBay for $65. I found a local locksmith that is willing to cut the key for $40 (dealer wants $75). It works out to about $170 for a working key. This is about half of what the dealer quoted me. This is so I can have a second key should I lose one of my keys.

I'll be getting this done next week at the dealer. I'll update you on how it goes.

chipdog59

Thanks and let me know how the key works. ECS claims they will send you a cut key, which looked to attach to your existing remote, for $59, so the Ebay looks to be a better deal since it includes the remote

chipdog59

What happened with the Key?

Batman

It turns out that the key from eBay was a cheap knockoff. The locksmith wouldn't cut the key because it was made out of steel, not brass (put a magnet to the knockoff and it will stick to it). The locksmith did sell and cut me an original brass Huf key blade for $40. They also gave me my secret key code. This key un/locks the door and turn the car on, but can't start it.

Afterwards at the dealer, they could not match the key to the immobilizer. They did manage to match my plastic backup key to the immobilizer so I have at least one backup key now.

The dealer wanted $90 for the immobilizer part of the key fob. I'm not sure if it included the key cut - I'm assuming not because i already had the key blade. I think the key is $65 from ECS - along with the $65 dealer charge, it is $130 for a key that can start the car.

It's all in the same ballpark.

If I had to buy a key, I'd buy it from ECS - as long as the shipping charges aren't too much.