147 remote key

tony8028 · April 25, 2011, 09:12:42 AM

When i bought my 2004 147 manual, the owner had lost the main key that had the remote access buttons etc...

I have been quoted around $400 for a replacement however I was wondering if there are any cheaper alternatives, like purchasing overseas etc....

Any advice would be great.

Tony

colcol · April 25, 2011, 09:30:58 AM

I don't have any experience with Alfa keys, but recently i had to go through the same thing with a Commodore key and i did a ring around the dealers and i was amused at the difference in prices, so you could do a ring around the various Alfa dealers and do a bit of horse trading, and see what you can get it for, also try some of the independant Alfa service places as seen in the sponsors page of the forum, i am sure that they have done it before and you could even try some automotive locksmiths, i know of 2 in melbourne that various freinds and people at work have used, there is one at Preston and one at Lilydale, so see how you go with these options and please tell us the outcome, as we all have to go through this oneday, Colin.

tony8028 · April 25, 2011, 09:42:05 AM

Thanks Colin - i am in Sydney, but I am sure a ring around would be worthwhile.

That said, i have 100% faith in my mechanic who i have been going to for around 8 years (and almost as many alfas) that he'd be quoted me a pretty fair price...but will still check out my options.

I found this on UK ebay:

http://bit.ly/e2jHGc

Of course i'd need to get a new key and possibly have it programmed to suit my car, which may blow the cost out of the water...

Brad M · April 25, 2011, 10:45:31 AM

Quote from: tony8028 on April 25, 2011, 09:12:42 AM
I have been quoted around $400 for a replacement however I was wondering if there are any cheaper alternatives, like purchasing overseas etc....

When I picked up our first 147, the main key was faulty (probably dropped in water).

I paid less than $300 for a new key, it was ordered through a Alfa specialist repairer (not in NSW), and originated from Italy.

dehne · April 25, 2011, 10:56:57 AM

my local locksmith sells the keys but only for the later stuff, not my 2000 156, if you look on ebay there are some, the ones he has are the smaller type, there are red and black on ebay, they done look anything like the standard ones but they seem to do the job he tells me and i think they were around $170 and he got the codes from somewhere to so they worked

Brad M · April 25, 2011, 11:39:52 AM

Quote from: Brad M on April 25, 2011, 10:45:31 AM
I paid less than $300 for a new key, it was ordered through a Alfa specialist repairer (not in NSW), and originated from Italy.

I just wanted to make it clear about the key I received.

It has full functionality (ie Central locking/unlocking & Hatch release), which required the key to be recognised by the computer (by plugging into the diagnostic computer) to allow the functionality to work.

tony8028 · April 25, 2011, 05:26:32 PM

No worries - thanks Brad.

Looking back i really should have made the seller wear the cost of the new key, but i'd already looked at around ten 147s and really wanted this car! Very annoying now though to have to pay for something that really wont add any value to the car as it's just standard equipment.

colcol · April 25, 2011, 09:50:04 PM

But if its the car you want and its turned out ok, then a couple of hundred dollars over a few years isn't the end of the world, how many of us see if the both keys are working when we buy a used car, we are too busy looking to see that the cam belts been changed or the car isn't stolen, tell us how you get on, Colin.

tony8028 · April 25, 2011, 10:45:02 PM

yes i agree colin, no complaints overall ! My 147 has been a gem (manual of course). I still marvel every time cold air comes out of the a/c, a first during my time as an alfa owner!

I will arrange another key asap....if for no other reason, so i have a spare...currently i'd be stuffed if i lost this one.