Long-term update: Our Range Rover gets new keys made
Back in the early 1990s, you could get a car key duplicated at any regular key-cutting shop for Dhs 10 and be happy in the knowledge that you’ll always have an unlimited supply of cheap keys for your car. Then the late 90s brought with it the new-fangled transponder-chip anti-theft technologies that could not be duplicated, and the only place to get copies was from the dealer, after a month-long wait to get it shipped from the factory and after going into debt to pay for it. Then we recently heard that half the key-cutting shops in Dubai can now duplicate any key in half an hour. We just had to find out if this was true, especially since our used Range Rover came with one chewed-up key, and a new one costs around Dhs 3,000!
Back in 2010, we lost the only key to our 2005 Peugeot 307 XSI, and it cost us Dhs 900 in total to get a replacement remote key and a valet key, in addition to a 3-week wait.
But then we bought the used Range Rover, again with only one key. That time, the seller told us that he once called a key guy via his insurance company to unlock his other car, a Nissan Armada, when he got locked out. The key guy was able to make a new key for him without even needing the original!
We got that keymaster’s contact, and eventually called him a couple of months ago. He quoted us Dhs 800 for a newer-style Range Rover flip-key, and an additional Dhs 150 to change the chewed-up old key’s casing. We hated that old-style casing, a remnant of Land Rover’s days under BMW ownership. Our 2000 BMW M Roadster had the same crappy key.
The guy came over to our parking lot, ripped open our Rooney’s centre-console around the key slot, programmed something, got the keys cut at a nearby key-cutting shop, and was done in half-an-hour. The key on top is the old worn-out key, while the two below are the new ones.
So now we have two new keys for Dhs 950. Mind you, the flip-style one is a bit fragile and it wasn’t designed for use in the ignition position on our older Rooney, so some care needs to be taken to use it properly. It’s also super-glued shut, so changing the battery two years down the line is going to be a pain. The standard key with the new casing works perfectly fine.
Recently, we dropped by a random key-cutting shop because my friend wanted a remote key and keyless-entry functionality for his basic Nissan Tiida that only came with central locking. They did it for only Dhs 275 in 10 minutes. That’s good value right there. They even had remote-keys displayed from several common brands.
This has opened up a world of possibilities, where we don’t have to worry about buying used cars with one key any more, not be afraid to get ripped off by the dealer if you lose your keys, or even upgrade the key casing in certain cases.
Original Mileage When Bought: 99,980 km
Latest Mileage To Date: 105,100 km
Latest Average Fuel Economy: 17.9 litres/100 km
Cost of Latest Problems: Dhs 950
Cost of Latest Maintenance: Dhs 0Total Non-Fuel Running Cost Since Bought: Dhs 9430
Comments
Pankaj
Mash,
Pls. share the details of the keymaster…Maybe useful some day when we need to make a spare key made..
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
Rather than calling the guy to your place, you could go to a key place next to Families Supermarket in Karama. Should be cheaper. Also, I think a lot of key shops can manage it now.
Ali
LOL..if that happened with me im in bad luck. .. all my land rover / range rover are keyless except my defender
Abudhabicars
My dad lost his keys to a Toyota Yaris today , he used his spare to get a key duplicated but its costing him AED 150 , is that expensive or okay?
Yael Friedman
Looking for Land rover spare key
James
If you could post the key masters contact would be much appreciated.
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
I’ve come to find out that most key shops stock car keys nowadays to be able to do this. There are at least 2 shops in Karama that can do it, on the road that enters Karama opposite the General Post Office.
ginja ninger
Just had two keys cut and programmed for my 2010 RR SC for 1300 at Al Ameer Key Copying. 2013 model keys provided – smaller and lighter but same classy look and feel. Excellent friendly fast service .
Malik
Hi.
I have a Rang Vogue 2006. Its remote/key was working fine since i bought it back in last year but recently it stopped unlocking for which, i placed new battery. Since then she is acting weirdly. It turns the ignition on but dose not pick up the self-starter. It allows to push the start once and then locks it back for the next time. I have to turn the ignition off and turn on again. After giving it a try for several times it picks up the self-starter.
Do you have any idea what could be wrong?
Thanks
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
When it comes to Range Rovers, it could be anything from a low battery to a software issue. If it were any other car, I would’ve thought it needs a new starter motor.