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[djames108]

Can you code colt keys to forfour's they look the same...

[CrazyG]

They may look the same, but as far as I am aware a 'proper' replacement
ForFour key blade cut to suit is only available from MB Germany, and
they need the chassis/VIN number. Apparently no one else can cut them.
You have to order it, and about a week later it turns up ready cut, and
then it requires to be TAN coded via a Star machine to the car.

[djames108]

So the electronic part of the key is the same?

I thought you could just take it into a key cutters and repalce the blade  surely someone can cut them not just MB......

Dont fancy paying something stupid like £100 to have a sodding key cut. Plus i need one for my roadter but that look more like a standard blade

[Problemchild]

didn't someone get a blade key copied??

i don't think you can fit a blade into a fob easily though. and as to whether you can code a colt one to a smart car.......could just be wasted money.

a new key for most cars costs well over £100 (if you want it to work with the immobiliser and the alarm and not just to unlock a door)

JJ

[mr singh]

a new key for most cars costs well over £100 (if you want it to work with the immobiliser and the alarm and not just to unlock a door)

JJ

a jaguar key WITHOUT key fob is about £100, plus the fob is about another £60-70 and then programming. it comes up to about £250. i asked mercedes how much it would be for the full job, key and programming and it came up to a grand total of £192... i still however have 1 key and know i should get a spare

[djames108]

I might get one to try as they do look almost idencal and are a lot ceaper than 2nd hand forfour keys, plus if cutting is an issue i would still have the same issue. Would rather only waste £15!

If Anyone has ever had one cut or knows of anyone who has i'd love the info 

[funkydoodycool]

I know a Smart garage who does TAN coding for a good chunk less than MB - can you guess who?

I had a similar thing when I lost the front to a Sony headunit.  They needed me to provide a receipt of purchase, proof of ownership of the car, before they'd even talk to me about replacing the frontplate.  Then "for security reasons to stop someone stealing a radio and buying the frontplate" They wanted £100 off me for it.  To go on a HU that cost me £50.  Even though I had to prove it wasn't stolen in the first place.

[CrazyG]

I might get one to try as they do look almost identical and are a lot cheaper than 2nd hand forfour keys, plus if cutting is an issue i would still have the same issue. Would rather only waste £15!

If Anyone has ever had one cut or knows of anyone who has i'd love the info 

The key has to be TAN coded to the car...so your £15 'cheap' key will no longer
be cheap and have cost you an extra £100 if done by/at MB, or less if you can
find an 'indie' that can do TAN coding.
All you'll have for your £15 is a key that may...only may...unlock your car via
the lock in the pax (RHD)/drivers (LHD) door....assuming the key is cut the same.

And for confirmation, the blade is NOT part of the keyfob internals, you can
replace just the blade, but it would need to be cut...that's not so easy.

[Problemchild]

what G is trying to say is that after you have spent the £15 on the fob, then gone to the key cutters and spent £20 on the blade being cut then paying for the coding (same cost if not more than OEM key) you are £140 in before you know if it will work.

its not really just the £15

of course, its not much to spend to investigate the internals but even if the same, no guarantee that the coding can still be done on it.

JJ

[funkydoodycool]

And for confirmation, the blade is NOT part of the keyfob internals, you can
replace just the blade, but it would need to be cut...that's not so easy.

True - the circuit is loose within the key, so IF you had a new key/blade cut and the circuit fit into that key's body, you'd be fine.  IF you have the workign circuit from your old key.

So, if you know somewhere who will do it, you COULD get a key cut anywhere and then put your old internals in, IF the problem is that your key is snapped... as mine was when I got the car.

[djames108]

I've not tried it yet (Hence the £15 test) but I should be able to code they key myself I have the Star and Tan coding

The main issue will be the blade, I'm sure ive read on one of the forums someone got one cut, but will look into that further once the keys arrived and coded (1 step at a time!), the blade is part of the key but thats never stopped me before, I'm sure it can be 'persuaded' to vacate the fob and a new blade moved in.

I don't like being told something can't be done, like steering wheel controls...... I just see it as a challenge!

[Problemchild]

Ah - you never said you could possibly code it yourself - worth the risk then

JJ

[CrazyG]

As JJ has said..."you never said you could possibly code it yourself"...
If I had known that then I would have 'tailored' my replies accordingly.
Good luck if you can/do find out if/where/how to get the key cut as
a 'normal' key cutting service appears not able to do it.
We'd appreciate any 'heads up' on that front.

And..if you can master a way to get the steering wheel controls to operate
non Smart/MB audo head units then there are ample members who would
appreciate the info (if it is within the average owners capabilties), or if not,
then perhaps it could be a lucrative sideline for you for those that can't.

[Alex]

There are people using 2DIN navi touchscreen units (Dinavin) and with an extra adapter the steering wheel controls work as standard.

I'll PM @mituc and ask him to reply with his adapter model because he's recently installed his.

[evilution]

They may look the same, but as far as I am aware a 'proper' replacement
ForFour key blade cut to suit is only available from MB Germany, and
they need the chassis/VIN number. Apparently no one else can cut them.

Not strictly true as there are now quite a few key cutting places with laser key cutting machines which can do the later 451 type keys, dimple keys, Ford type keys and edge mounted type like the forfour.

The machines start at about £500 though.