AU Transponder key

ballmead · 09-06-2007, 12:14 PM

Just wanted to let people know that I saved a fortune on getting a spare transponder key by going to Mister Minit in Westfield's Blacktown (NSW).
Other Mister Minits can do it also.
I was quoted anywhere from $210 - $300 for a spare key from various Ford dealers here in Western Sydney.

:
The key is a programmable one that can be used again on your next car, it can even be programmed to work on other brands of cars that use a transponder in the key. Also, if you happen to break the shaft of the key, it can be replaced for $10 as it is easily removed from the transponder part.
It cost $140 but I saved a further 10% because I have NRMA membership so it was around $125. Not a bad saving if I do say so myself.

au2sw · 09-06-2007, 12:22 PM

good tip, thanx for that. i have been considering a spare key recently. but wasnt sure of how much it was going to cost. now i know, i think tyhe spare is going to be happening soon

Umineko · 09-06-2007, 01:37 PM

Thanks Mate
Have been putting off getting a spare cut because of the prohibitive cost from Ford, nice to know you can get them somewhere else

Turboconvert · 09-06-2007, 03:41 PM

be carefull getting a spare key cut from a mr mint shop, i am not going to say they are completely terrible but what i am about to say is a reality in getting keys cut anywhere especially from a mr mint who charges half the cost of a ford dealership. my mother recently went to do the same thing with a mr mint in ipswich. we were up there visiting my sister. the bloke had cut the key and did his dovy little thing and told us to test the key in the door before testing the ignition cylinder. the key worked fine in the door, so we then put the key in the ignition cylinder, the key went in and started the car but would not come out.

: as it turned out the bloke had cut the groves to deep and prevented the key coming out of the ignition cylinder. if the bloke doesnt grind the burrs of the key completely either will also make it catch. we did get the key back out without damaging the ignition cylinder.....now that is not to say that mr mint francisees can not do a good job, i am just saying, be warned this stuff does happen......

private9 · 10-06-2007, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uteaddict

be carefull getting a spare key cut from a mr mint shop, i am not going to say they are completely terrible but what i am about to say is a reality in getting keys cut anywhere especially from a mr mint who charges half the cost of a ford dealership. my mother recently went to do the same thing with a mr mint in ipswich. we were up there visiting my sister. the bloke had cut the key and did his dovy little thing and told us to test the key in the door before testing the ignition cylinder. the key worked fine in the door, so we then put the key in the ignition cylinder, the key went in and started the car but would not come out.

: as it turned out the bloke had cut the groves to deep and prevented the key coming out of the ignition cylinder. if the bloke doesnt grind the burrs of the key completely either will also make it catch. we did get the key back out without damaging the ignition cylinder.....now that is not to say that mr mint francisees can not do a good job, i am just saying, be warned this stuff does happen......

I've had quite a few similar experiences with having keys cut in the past. Generally though, as long as you go back to them straight away, they try their best to sort you out.

Turboconvert · 10-06-2007, 02:14 PM

yes that is what we did, heck my mother stayed at the stand and did not pay for the key until such time that my dad tested the key and made sure it worked. in the end the bloke himself could not get the key back out without damaging the ignition cylinder so he called in a proper locksmith to get it out.

csv8 · 12-06-2007, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uteaddict

be carefull getting a spare key cut from a mr mint shop, i am not going to say they are completely terrible but what i am about to say is a reality in getting keys cut anywhere especially from a mr mint who charges half the cost of a ford dealership. my mother recently went to do the same thing with a mr mint in ipswich. we were up there visiting my sister. the bloke had cut the key and did his dovy little thing and told us to test the key in the door before testing the ignition cylinder. the key worked fine in the door, so we then put the key in the ignition cylinder, the key went in and started the car but would not come out.

: as it turned out the bloke had cut the groves to deep and prevented the key coming out of the ignition cylinder. if the bloke doesnt grind the burrs of the key completely either will also make it catch. we did get the key back out without damaging the ignition cylinder.....now that is not to say that mr mint francisees can not do a good job, i am just saying, be warned this stuff does happen......

ipswich ? say no more !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ballmead · 09-06-2007, 06:42 PM

So because one bloke did a crap job they are all no good? Maybe you QLD guys should avoid Ipswich Mr Minit? I was completely happy with Mr Minit here in Blacktown, Western Sydney. The guy was very professional, did an excellent job and saved me a heap of money.

Turboconvert · 09-06-2007, 10:38 PM

no i am not saying that they are terrible or that this bloke was terrible, i am just saying be warned, they may save u money, but there is a risk of sorts that this does happen, and foundly enough my mother was one of the poor sods that this happened to....like everything else there is no such thing as a 100% garuntee that the key will be perfect every time. just as u will hear about the 1 in a 1000 bloke who will buy a faulty electrical appliance. it doesnt mean that the company as a whole will be poor or that every other exact same appliance will have the same fault......if u catch my drift. i am just trying to put this product/service into perspective. great company but not perfect....

FGII-XR6 · 10-06-2007, 09:47 PM

sounds to me like he did the right thing, then handled it professionally

xrlentau6 · 12-06-2007, 01:10 PM

For any one in SA.

I only got my XR6 about a month ago and it only had one key, a Ford Dealer kinda quoted me.

Over $140 for the key, and then said I need to go and get it cut and then bring it back and they will (at a cost) program it.

Went to Salisbury Locksmiths, 20mins and $132 later have a spare key that works like new. Can't complain about that.