Replacement keys for 81SC

[Looking_for_911]

Hey guys,

Would it be "normal" for a set of replacement keys for my '81 SC to be the type that you have to get from the dealer by providing the VIN and they send out for them?

I know newer cars are like that - such as my sister's Accord, and the key costs about $250 or so - but on this 28-year-old 911?

I need an extra set of keys "just in case." I was near our local dealer yesterday and popped in to have them "cut" me a replacement. I was told that they send out for them using the VIN. I provided ID, a copy of the tag receipt and my driver's license. I appreciate the effort they go through to ensure they're not selling keys to a thief.

I was somewhat surprised when told that the key would be $148 plus tax - that was for the key ($100) and $48 for the lighted head.

Is this "normal" or only "normal" for the dealer as I have seen OEM key blanks sold by our host and lesser expensive "look alikes" sold elsewhere. Granted they don't have the lighted head, just the plastic-type.

So.....

[scotricker]

You can get a copy made at the local lock shop for a few bucks. Not the plastic head kind but at least it's a key that works. I've seen blanks with the black or red plastic tops here at Pelican, (or someplace?) for under twenty dollars, then take that to the locksmith shop and get your copy made with that one.

[yelcab1]

No.

Buy a blank from anyone, including Porsche.

[nineball]

i had 2 made for my 83SC the day i got it home. i did have to call around to 4 or 5 shops until i found one that had blanks. cost me i think $5 for 2.

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

Yeah, the blanks are not easy to find--the guy at the hardware store with a $198 key-cutting machine probably won't have them--but for a dealer to tell you he needs the VIN and $250 is like Home Depot telling me they need to see an original of my deed to cut me a house key.

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by Formerly Steve Wilkinson

Yeah, the blanks are not easy to find--the guy at the hardware store with a $198 key-cutting machine probably won't have them--but for a dealer to tell you he needs the VIN and $250 is like Home Depot telling me they need to see an original of my deed to cut me a house key.

+1

I got a blank one for $20 from the dealer without any question... still not cut yet.

Do the calling routine like Nineball did and save a bundle.

[nineball]

i suppose if anyone can't find them i could see if the place i got mine has any left. send me pm if you need to.

[Looking_for_911]

Originally Posted by Formerly Steve Wilkinson

Yeah, the blanks are not easy to find--the guy at the hardware store with a $198 key-cutting machine probably won't have them--but for a dealer to tell you he needs the VIN and $250 is like Home Depot telling me they need to see an original of my deed to cut me a house key.

You all confirmed what I was smart enough to know, but as I've yet to go down this road with my 911 I wasn't sure....

I even called the dealer back today and told the guy that I was just cheap enough that 160 bucks (with tax) for a key that was just gonna lie in a drawer somewhere seemed to bother me. I asked him if they had the plastic headed blanks - like Pelican and other outlets - and was told No and the only way I could get a key was the 160 (with tax) route. even After I told him I could call him back with the Porsche part number!
I may have just fallen off the turnip truck but I didn't hit my head when I landed on the ground.
If it were a newer car, or one of the computer programmable keys, I could understand having to pay so much more. Welsh and Scot to the core I am!

Again, Thanks guys!

[kanadary]

i bought a plastic headed blank from one of the other on-line porsche parts store, it starts with an a. it was something like $18 or so and had a local locksmith store, like those ones in the parking lot of a grocery store, here its outside the fred meyer in bellevue. he had blanks too but they didn't have the porsche name on them but they were only $7 each. cost me $3 for the cutting.

[white99c2]

$6.00 per blank on eBay.

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

Last time I got a key cut, about five years ago, as I remember it was $5 for the blank plus something like $3 to cut it, at a Manhattan locksmith. He didn't even know how to spell Porsh...

[yelcab1]

Now, if you want to buy a key handle with a nice Porsche logo with a battery and a light into which head a blank key fits, well, then ... bend over.

I took my boss to a Porsche dealer yesterday so he can pick up his 997. They charged him $500 to replace his battery, $200 to replace his brake fluid. He felt well used after the incident.

On the parts counter shelves, there were $130 trickle charger, $40 toy cars. I didn't ask how much the Porsche soccer ball costs, but I was not going to buy one for my daughter just to kick around.

[01J]

I had a set made at Lowe's Home Improvement. There's a Toyota blank that's close. Mine has the word Axxess+ on one side and the number 30 on the other side. Have the Lowe's associate insert your original Porsche key into their collection of test sockets until they find the socket it goes into more smoothly than the others (it will not be perfect). Then have him or her cut the key. You will need to file the last 1-2 mm with a common flat file to make it work, since the Lowe's key cutting machine leaves some of the Porsche key sticking out, and thus some of the Toyota blank uncut. Notice from the photo that the blank doesn't match completely. It turns out that it doesn't have to! I use the Axxess key in the photo everyday.

It will cost something like $2-$4 per key. It seems like this solution may be less trouble than anything else I've seen posted so far. I'm sure a competent locksmith could figure out how to do it from the limited info I've provided here.

Good luck!
01j

[Looking_for_911]

Originally Posted by yelcab1

Now, if you want to buy a key handle with a nice Porsche logo with a battery and a light into which head a blank key fits, well, then ... bend over.
I took my boss to a Porsche dealer yesterday so he can pick up his 997. They charged him $500 to replace his battery, $200 to replace his brake fluid. He felt well used after the incident.

On the parts counter shelves, there were $130 trickle charger, $40 toy cars. I didn't ask how much the Porsche soccer ball costs, but I was not going to buy one for my daughter just to kick around.

ON the second conversation with the parts guy I specifically told him that I did not need the fancy, lighted key but would be perfectly happy with the narrow plastic headed one - like the valet key, which was factory if I'm not mistaken - and was told by him the only choice was the fancy, lighted one for $148-clams.
Like everyone I know they have to have a markup to survive, and I don't mind paying in some instances, but for a spare key I just couldn't see it.

Thanks to all who have offered their advise!

[Canada Kev]

I just went down to a decent locksmith in the city and gave them my lighted key. I wanted the smaller plastic coated key so it would fit into my spanky new leather pouch. I was charged just over $20 for two keys and a can of spray lube for locks.

[Flat6pac]

Wait til you try matching the 993 keys with antithieft, it aint $160 any more
Bruce

[koenig]

When I got my 82 SC recently it came with two keys. One, a wallet key, was worn way more than it should have been. The other - the key used on a daily basis - was so old it was bent!

From the dealer got a new factory-cut key using my VIN. Fits and turns the locks with German precision. Now I have a nice starting key for cheaper copies.

I would not recommend getting a blank key from Porsche since the local shop I took mine to ruined the blank when they tried to cut the second side. For a little more money get it pre-cut by Porsche.

Left to Right: bent key / wallet key / factory-cut key blank plus head
...fails to show how much sharper the ridges are in the new key