Lost Key

Gramera flash · June 18, 2015

Just to recap then (because this is not what I expected) you lost both keys and was able to to get one new key programmed for £220
And, who did you use for this service?
Still waiting.

I haven't used "this" service as I only needed to replace one key (£330 at dealers)

My interest in this post was the fact that it was done so cheaply, as I was told if you had lost both keys the cost could have been £2000

Vintagesixtysix · June 18, 2015

Still waiting....with bated breath.

I'll accept the greater knowledge of the forum for how much the going rate is for a no keys at all scratch start.

I have mentioned several times on this topic before, I & in trade friends ( auto & locks) all made extensive enquiries on how to solve a replacement key (not... no keys...to be clear) without going to dealer and stumping up the £300+. We all failed.

So if a key can be produced for £200ish......that's a breakthrough.......which is even more impressive from a zero key start point.

Breath still bated.

V66

Sent from my iPad using Lexus OC

toffee_pie · June 18, 2015

Haha yes that's the full story, and not sure of the company name who did it but I've got the number.
He brought a key out 1st but was the wrong key ant then brought 1 back few days later and it works no problem
Will post number if youse think it could be useful

how is even possible to bring a random key to a is250 and get it working? plus not knowing the name of the place.

is200 Newbie · June 18, 2015

Apologies to the original poster if this is legit ..but does anyone agree ...Is something starting to sound a bit dodgy here?

A new key for £220 - they cost £330 new from dealer - for the key alone? I am sure an 'F' key would cost even more ...

And for someone to come out and link the key up to the car ... ? (cash sale ?)

The forum is an ideal place to ask questions of this sort but why not initially ask the dealer what type of key is required as its the best source to start with isn't it? I don't think any answer given on the topic of this has revealed how to program these via a back door (as they cant) but it has shown how easily information can be gained should someone request it - innocently or not?

... and also - making a presumption on this - surely the posters car was locked when he lost the key. Begs the question how can someone get a new key to work from outside a locked car?

ChumpusRex · June 18, 2015

A

... and also - making a presumption on this - surely the posters car was locked when he lost the key. Begs the question how can someone get a new key to work from outside a locked car?

Some cars security is not as good as the manufacturer/dealers think.

My brother had an Audi A3, and locked himself out because he lost both keys. The dealer said it would be about £3k. He'd have to get the car towed in, they would need to break in, so price in a new window, he'd need new lock barrels all round, he'd need a new ECU, new security module, 2 new keys which would have to be ordered from Germany to go with the new ECU, etc. It would take a week to get all the parts ordered in.

Anyway, by brother was going to be late for work, so got the train in. Phoned up some "security specialist" and gave them his home address. On his way home to meet the guy, he drew out £400 cash that the guy had asked for. Anyway, he gets home, expecting to meet the guy at 6pm. However, when he gets in a 5:30, the guy is there sat on the front wall having a ciggy.

"Oh. I couldn't be bothered to wait for you to arrive, so I just started the job, and I'm done. Here are your 2 new keys. Have you got the cash?"

It is possible that there is some security flaw in the lexus ECU, like there obviously is in the Audi system. However, I'm not aware of it.

toffee_pie · June 18, 2015

Im sure we would have found out that long ago tbh, the is gen 2 is around a bit.

The ECU cant be remapped either so it looks pretty robust to me.

Manuel23 · January 10, 2020

Hi

you have any info about that guy hwo replace the key with 220£ ???? Pls share info

Texas · January 11, 2020

It never get confirmed that you can get a key (coded and working for your car) for £220. Not surprising really.

the poster who stated this only posted 9 times so not a regular user and has not been on here since 2015!

McShmoopy · December 1, 2021

Sorry to revive an old thread, but I may have an interesting update for everyone. I've got my mums IS250C with only the one key, and the key itself is somewhat unreliable in opening the car despite multiple Battery swaps.

I've got the car booked in with Lexus Nottingham to diagnose the car for me but I've also arranged a guy from CAT AUTOKeys to pop around on Friday to supply me with a replacement genuine OEM key and program it for £250 all in. They're a local company to me in Nottingham but they seem to cover a range of areas in the midlands and reviews seems to look quite good. From what I saw they've managed to do a Genuine RX450h key based on their social media.

I'll let you know how I get on, but I'll ask what's the procedure if both keys are lost and how they can get into the vehicle also as well as prices... could be handy including finding out if we can programme keys via toyota tech stream!