1999 V70 - $250 for a spare ignition key!!!

yankinwaoz · Post by **yankinwaoz** » 31 Dec 2007, 14:50

I bought a used 1999 V70. It came with only one key. No remote system. I'm not even sure if the car supports a wireless remote.

Anyhow, I stopped at the Volvo dealer today to see if they could cut me another key incase I loose this one. He said that they have to special order it for $100, and then charge me an extra $150 to "download the program and program it".

I'm looking at this key. There is nothing electronic about it. It is simply a slick of metal with a plastic grip. OK, it will need to be laser cut. But what on earth is he talking about "program it".

He claims he can cut me a spare key from this one for $100, but it will not start car.

Are they BSing me? Is he just un-informed?

Any other 1999 V70/S70 owners out there that can tell me about their spare or replacement key experience?

PS: On the key shaft is etched "Made in UK" on one side, and "Ymos" on the other.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 31 Dec 2007, 14:55

'tis true...on '99 and newer, there is a chip in the black plastic part of the key. Most don't even know this and you can't tell by just looking at the key. However, still they way over-charged for a new key. Cost of cutting the blank is very cheap...10-15 minute download to program the chip.

yankinwaoz · Post by **yankinwaoz** » 31 Dec 2007, 14:58

So that means I HAVE to have the dealer cut me a new key. No way around that? Cheaper alternatives?

Post by **JRL** » 31 Dec 2007, 15:46

yankinwaoz wrote:So that means I HAVE to have the dealer cut me a new key. No way around that? Cheaper alternatives?

You MUST have a dealer do this but that price is WAY out of line.
It should be about 150 -170 RETAIL.
The key is about 80 bucks, software about 50 (all retail) and it should be no more then 50 in labor and they shouldn't have to sprcial order anything, every dealer shuld have blank keys in stock
(That's too much too, but seems to be the dealer average)

yankinwaoz · Post by **yankinwaoz** » 31 Dec 2007, 16:04

Hughes automotive in Santa Barbara. They seem to have a bad reputation in this neck of the woods. I've yet to meet a Volvo owner who is happy with them. Every owner I've met here has told to me avoid them whenever possible.

Now I know why.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 31 Dec 2007, 16:08

Yep...if the owners say stay away, that's a pretty good bet.

(btw, I deleted your stray post).

yankinwaoz · Post by **yankinwaoz** » 31 Dec 2007, 17:24

I'm headed over to my mom's in Tucson tomorrow. So when I get over there I'll check in at a Tucson dealer to see what they want for a key. Any recommendations for a dealer over on the north side of town (Oro Valley area)?

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 31 Dec 2007, 17:38

Sorry, don't know of who is decent, just that I read over on Volvospeed to avoid Broadway Volvo in Tucson . Good luck.

daharleyrdr · Post by **daharleyrdr** » 02 Jan 2008, 06:12

Just got a 2000 V70 XC from the dealer only gave me one key I called and spoke to parts this is the deal!!!
Software top program Key $30
Key Blank $25
Total for Key, Programming, Labor $125.00

Of course this doesn't include the remote!!!! Volvo really has the market on this, on all my other cars even with the chip in the key, or "transponders" I was able to buy the key, get it cut, and program it myself, and even program the remotes, man Volvo what a scam. In my case the dealer found me the 2nd remote, and key along with a extra 3rd key that the other salesman had gotten when the car was traded in, Richard Stauffer at Volvo of Edison NJ youre the man!!!!
HAPPY NE$W YEAR GUYS AND GALS!!!!!!!!!!Bill

yankinwaoz · Post by **yankinwaoz** » 02 Jan 2008, 08:55

Thanks. I wonder if I called that NJ dealer if they would mail me a key if I gave them my VIN?

If not them, then I wonder if there is any mail/web based service that will do it?