Was wondering if these "OEM" key fobs sold online are scams, or not. I know the keys have to be programmed, presumably by the stealership (if you can't find anyone with a Faultmate or equivalent black box device), but I've heard varying stories from different brands.

Was wondering if anyone had any experience with this stuff.

The URL below is one I've been looking at:

NEW OEM LAND ROVER LR2 FREELANDER 2 07-UP KEYLESS ENTRY REMOTE KEY FOB KEYFOB | eBay

 

Why don't you but it and let us all know?

 

it looks like that second photo has a green oval on the box.

 

Yeah, and it's the official LR part number. But who knows.

 

you won't know till you try to program it. then you are screwed.

buy it from the dealer. you don't have to buy the key part. Trust me the dealers have the remote part which allows you to start the car.

 

how much did they quote from the dealer key and reprogram and all?

 

Called two LR dealerships. Both were $272 for fob, $65 for cut key shank (if you want it) and one hour of labor for programming @ $115.

The parts don't get me half as much as the "hour" needed to program a key.

 

Well, settled this whole issue. Ended up going to a "guy who knows a guy" who programmed a used OEM key using aftermarket software to mate it to my VIN. Total cost $150.

The guy said it works on about 50% of vehicles. Guess I was one of the lucky ones.

 

So if it didn't work then it would be double the labour as it would have failed.

Also it takes almost a half an hour maybe more to program those keys. From the time the the machine is turned and the correct vin is entered and ready to go takes forever.

 

So if it takes "almost" half an hour, why charge someone a full hour - at the outrageous dealer rate of $125, no less? I call that a dishonest practice, personally. Almost $400 to replace a car key is absolutely insane regardless of what brand the car is. They rip you off for the part, then tack on inflated labor charges to boot. That is why I avoid car dealerships like the plague and generally like to deal exclusively with independent shops.

And just for kicks, how would any costs be doubled if this didn't work? I wouldn't have bought the key from the guy and would have gone home on my merry way. This is just a spare, it's not like I lost my only key to the vehicle.