OK, Audizine brain trust, which dealer is the best for key fob relacement and program

[Heavy Winter]

Victim is a 2013 A3 sportback TDI, wife left keys on top of car "as a safe place to put them" I drove car in very early (dark) morning hours and didn't see back keyfob sitting on black roof.

Because of the immobilizer, it is my understanding that this will be a dealer only solution.

I'm in Boulder, so there is Boulder / Flatirons Audi (who have been good for me when I need them for occasional B5 S4 bits, though I rarely use their parts department), and of course all the Denver options.

Anyone have any recommendations, suggestions, etc., for lowest cost for new fob, cut key and program to match immobilizer for this car?

Alternative, aftermarket solutions would also be considered, but must be a guaranteed and tried and true solution in terms of functionality. I'm taking the heat for driving the car with the keys on top, despite the fact that wife also left cell phone on top of car a year ago, but didn't learn that you don't leave important/expensive to replace things on top of car from that lesson, so now we have come to this!

Thanks in advance!

[gk1]

FWIW I drive past the other two to go to Flatirons. I've had them do thousands in quality work which in my experience is worth its weight.

[Kittrell]

Cost from dealer to dealer is going to be pretty close. That being said the service at Boulder/Flatirons is outstanding. I always drove to Boulder until they opened Flat Irons and I was lucky enough for my service adviser to make that move as well. I went to McDonald a few times back in the day before they rebranded as Audi Denver and I was never really a fan, they are the largest dealer in the state though if that makes any difference to you.

A non dealer option would be Speedo Solutions, Tom (mpower) is a member on the forums here and does great work. He would handle the immobilizer portion and you could have the key blank (sidewinder) cut to match your other key locally. I had a few cut just down the street a few years back.

https://www.speedosolutions.com/

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Replacement...MAAOSwhZhdzPtN

[mark_ma]

I too am looking into this. I have a 2013 q7 and need to cut/program some keys at a not dealership cost.
So is this speedosolutions here in Colorado? Went to the website and they are located in Illinois. How would they programe the key, not really worth driving there to do that.


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[mercury26]

Flatirons Audi took care of my key for my 2007 RS4. I have been happy with their service and support.

[Kittrell]

Yes, Tom is in Illinois, he can clone your immobilizer. If you already have one functioning key you can usually do the quick program yourself, vagcom if not.

[ramack]

My daughter recently bought a 2007 A3 which came with one functional fob/key, so I'm looking local for a spare. Before I found this website, forum and thread I had called the places below and have prices.
Apex - $285
Denver Locksmith - $300
Locksmith Pros - $35 service visit + $95 to $400 depending on what the tech determines at the service visit.
Pop-A-Lock - $260 (Price did not include programming the immobilizer since equipment was out for repair).
Prestige Audi- $410
The dealer route is too pricey for me. Locksmith Pros "might" be the least expensive, but I'm not going to pay the service call only to find out that they are more expensive than a dealer.

Note: I live a few blocks from Audi Denver, but refuse to do business with any of the McDonald Auto group dealerships due to community and local issues which are way off topic from this thread.

[ramack]

Meant to ask what you folks ended up doing for your key/remote needs?

[esell]

Meant to ask what you folks ended up doing for your key/remote needs?

I just recently had mine done at Hardey's Motorwerks. I had the key/blade part cut at the local Ace hardware (~$30ish per key I think) and then took everything to Hardey's for programming as I don't have an original remote/fob (~$150ish). I already had the keys though.

[ramack]

Great to hear esell! I'll check with my local Ace to see if they can just do the cutting. I did check with them last week while getting some other stuff and asked the basic question about being able to cut keys for my Audi. The guy looked it up and said, "No". That was probably for the whole process. I'll ask again specifically if they can duplicate the physical key.

What model was the key for and did/do you have the SKC/PIN?

[ramack]

esell,
Which Ace did you go to. My local Ace won't because of liability. I'll drive to Aurora for ~$30/key. My local Ace has new people working there and over the past couple months I have gone in, I wonder why I keep going back. Same owner, new minions...

[ramack]

2020 09 05

I called the three Ace Hardware stores in Aurora, one of which won't cut the sidewinder keys, the two below will. The Big Toolbox will too. But I wanted to get it done today and the Saddle Rock Village location was the only one that could. Buckley only cuts keys Tuesday and Thursday. As I noted below, the guy that quoted the cost doesn't cut the keys, not sure if he really knew the price. He just told me that if I brought in keys for cutting only it would cost $2.50/key.

The prices below are for cutting only, no programming.

Hoffman Heights Ace Hardware - Will not duplicate/cut sidewinder from another.

$16/key
Located in: Saddle Rock Village (Mike or Devon)
Address: 7420 S Gartrell Rd b, Aurora, CO 80016
Hours: Open ⋅ Closes 6PM
Phone: (303) 515-7006

$2.50/key (Not sure if the guy that quoted the price knew the actual price
Located in: Buckley Square (Mike)
Address: 17190 E Iliff Ave, Aurora, CO 80013
Hours: Open ⋅ Closes 7PM
Phone: (303) 745-7177

$40/key
The Big Toolbox
8080 S Holly St, Centennial, CO 80122
303 779 8822