Newbie Question Re Smartkey

[Julian30]

I'm a December 2008 (2nd Gen) T4 so can use a used fob for the ignition aspect.

[MEP's Yaris GS]

Got it back, passed the safety and hybrid check with no issues so very happy. Just got to go back on Monday and shell out 240 quid for a new smart key - daylight robbery!

Not really, the cost of modern security and as a result cheaper insurance premiums.

[Grumpy Cabbie]

Got it back, passed the safety and hybrid check with no issues so very happy. Just got to go back on Monday and shell out 240 quid for a new smart key - daylight robbery!

Not really, the cost of modern security and as a result cheaper insurance premiums.

You think? £240 for a smart key which would cost no more than about £5 to manufacture. Sure there should be a mark up, but £235?

Just typical car manufacturers profiteering. I can understand them charging £50 or maybe £100, but £240 for a key? You can buy a very smart Smart Phone for that, or a Toyota key? Nah, it's daylight robbery

[MEP's Yaris GS]

Got it back, passed the safety and hybrid check with no issues so very happy. Just got to go back on Monday and shell out 240 quid for a new smart key - daylight robbery!

Not really, the cost of modern security and as a result cheaper insurance premiums.

You think? £240 for a smart key which would cost no more than about £5 to manufacture. Sure there should be a mark up, but £235?

Just typical car manufacturers profiteering. I can understand them charging £50 or maybe £100, but £240 for a key? You can buy a very smart Smart Phone for that, or a Toyota key? Nah, it's daylight robbery

I'd like to see where you've plucked £5 from.

Its going to be a far more considerable cost than that to produce, on top you've got the ordering and laser cutting of the replacement key blade within the smart key, labour to programme it etc etc (probably 30min, at £90hr labour rates, or what ever main dealers charge these days).

£240 for a smart key is more than reasonable IMO, its £150-180 for a none remote key from Fiat, and I suspect the price quoted is on par with Ford and BMW etc.

[dmg195]

Just to let you know I had the 2nd key blade already, it was £240 just for the fob, a new blade would have been extra...

[Julian30]

I'm with Grumpy Cabbie regarding the price (roughly).

I've looked at the internals of a remote fob (2nd Gen non Smart Key version, simple doors and alarm remote via pushed button on remote & whole fob into the ignition hole on the dashboard) and you're looking at less than £5 for the electronics.

I can buy (and have) a blank blade key for £3, £5 to get it cut (non laser, why would I want laser?) so the only real problem is the fob housing market which can't be worth / cost more than £7 which brings it to an even £20.

Programming the key (for Toyota) should be seconds, I can do the fob ignition programming in 2 minutes doing the 'door/ignition dance' without any specialist equipment.

Total cost to a Toyota dealership maybe £30 all in, decent markup (imho) would be customer price £75.

If you've spent a good sum on a car then manufacturers should not be trying to squeeze every last penny out of you for years to come.

[johalareewi]

Reminds me of the bargain price Toyota wanted to charge for the cable to update the maps on the HDD satnav in the gen3 T-Spirit.

[FROSTYBALLS]

Back in 2003, we bought two new Mazdas. Both came with one remote key and one non-remote key. As we both used the cars, using the non-remote key became a pain. Second remote keys cost £150 each including programming - 11 years ago.

[MEP's Yaris GS]

Just to let you know I had the 2nd key blade already, it was £240 just for the fob, a new blade would have been extra...

Just to let you know I had the 2nd key blade already, it was £240 just for the fob, a new blade would have been extra...

I (incorrectly) assumed it'd come with the blade at that price, if not then they're certainly looking at being a lot more expensive than other manufacturers.

[Julian30]

Back in 2003, we bought two new Mazdas. Both came with one remote key and one non-remote key. As we both used the cars, using the non-remote key became a pain. Second remote keys cost £150 each including programming - 11 years ago.

Not saying Toyota are the worst or that other car companies are better, simply saying that as a whole the industry seems to think it's cool to continually rip off the customer.

Here's a wacky comparison (figures rough): New Prius £25,000, new key £250 - New Home (South-East UK) £250,000 (I know, cheap home!), Goji smart lock fob to enter (and be able to use) your new home £25. Going on car manufactures (Toyota) pricing the Goji fob could cost between £250 - £2500 but it's only £25...go figure!

[Grumpy Cabbie]

But how cool would it be to have a smart key for your house? :)

[Julian30]

But how cool would it be to have a smart key for your house? :)

I want one key that will operate my car, garage, home and office, now that would be one 'precious' key!

[PeteB]

But how cool would it be to have a smart key for your house? :)

I want one key that will operate my car, garage, home and office, now that would be one 'precious' key!

so would a burglar!

[FROSTYBALLS]

At the end of the day it is probably more to do with car security rather than the cost of manufacturing/programming a key - with programmed car keys being priced at a premium and being harder to obtain, to act as a deterrent.

Yes for those people who lose a key, it is expensive - but its been that way largely since transponder keys were introduced in the early 90's.

[Julian30]

But how cool would it be to have a smart key for your house? :)

I want one key that will operate my car, garage, home and office, now that would be one 'precious' key!

so would a burglar!

If I lose my keyring the burglar has the same access......I'd just rather have one smart key that did them all