[nandesuka]

Have seen adds on fleabay for second hand key fobs. We know that a second fob from the stealers is knocking on £400. Is it possible to get one of these and get it converted to your car for considerably less?

 

[MarcG]

NO. Stay well away. It's not possible.

I think it's about £200 + VAT for a key and about £40 to get it programmed.

 

[nandesuka]

Thanks for that Marc. I just thought that as they must program a blank key, it should be possible to delete and reprogram.

 

[MarcG]

Thanks for that Marc. I just thought that as they must program a blank key, it should be possible to delete and reprogram.

I thought that too and had several failed experiments to try and disprove it, even buying supposedly never programmed blanks off eBay.

Basically it's a very secure system that requires a number of things to match and keys can only be programmed once.

 

[MarcG]

It's better to bite the bullet and have a spare though, one key is a tad risky...

See what your local indie charge, don't go to a stealer.

 

[nandesuka]

Cheers Marc,
Yeah, I suppose I'll have to. Must remember to put me teeth in first.

 

[JON156VELOCE]

Or, um take out key insurance for about £30 and 'loose' your keys leaving you with only your spare set..:lol:

 

[nandesuka]

Me not naughty boy, only likey proper big legal ones.

 

[lovelyred159]

My key insurance was only £15 and I got it exactly to cover the loss and replacement of any key I should lose...

 

[parcstroman]

Alternative use

I bought a used Brera key fob from ebay. It's attached to a keyring with a prominent Alfa Romeo logo and and left in clear view on a table in my home.

As pointed out, it's expensive and difficult to get these fobs to function as an extra car key.

On the other hand, with opportunistic or targeted burglary (in which the keys are taken to enable the car to be stolen) becoming more prevalent, I think a decoy/dummy key fob on display might be worthwhile given the small expense.

When the thieves get to the car, nothing but disappointment.

 

[Maximus84]

I bought a used Brera key fob from ebay. It's attached to a keyring with a prominent Alfa Romeo logo and and left in clear view on a table in my home.

As pointed out, it's expensive and difficult to get these fobs to function as an extra car key.

On the other hand, with opportunistic or targeted burglary (in which the keys are taken to enable the car to be stolen) becoming more prevalent, I think a decoy/dummy key fob on display might be worthwhile given the small expense.

When the thieves get to the car, nothing but disappointment.

I would've thought that leaving a key in plain view would only serve to increase the chance of opportunists, as they could look through the window, see the key as an easy target and attempt a break in to your home.

I see what you're trying to do, but personally I'd concentrate on trying to make sure any would-be thieves/burglars couldnt even get into my house, as well as keeping keys and valuables locked away.

 

[MarcG]

I find a loud dog is very useful!

I'm hoping by plain view, he means should someone get in the house as opposed to see it from outside.

I can see some merits, as it may stop them ransacking the place to find a key. But then when the key doesn't work it might **** them off...