APJ291

Hi Guys, First and foremost I would like to introduce myself to this forum as a member of a Lexus IS 200 Sport Platinum Ice 04 plate. After having the unfortunate problem of having a cracked housing on my key fob, and eventually it snapped off after a few months use. I was now stuck with a dilemma of having to go about getting a replacement key, whilst the transponder unit still worked. I decided to join this club after being a proud owner of my IS 200 for over 3 years now, but only after issues with getting a replacement key! So apologies for not joining this great club so sooner! Hopefully I can clear up a few issues regarding these replacement key and housing as to whether or not they should to be purchased on sites such as eBay, America, Hong Kong etc.. instead of going to your Lexus Dealers Direct. A couple of nights last week were devoted to this website namely on the forums researching and gathering information on this subject in some detail, as well as getting a quote from my local Lexus dealer for a replacement. The following information will be of use... IS 200/300 UK spec and IS 300 US (Toyota Altezza as well) inc Rest of the world specs use the same key and casing design. Replacement key housing/casing itself has a 3 button design, although some vehicle will come with 2 three button keys and 1 two button key when purchased from new (Details in Owner Manuals for Model of Vehicle)! If you are deciding to purchase a replacement key on the net, then remember that you want the "Three Button Key". This will save you time and money as some owners have purchased the two button version without carefully reading product description, photos etc. Also bear in mind that most of these sellers can be from Asia/US and refunds/exchanges can be difficult to resolve! Depending on the price you pay, replacements can cost up to £40 if original factory part OEM, or £10 upwards for copies. Most retail key cutters wont be able to cut your key. So forget about your local. The key is not actually cut! After some research and first hand info from experts (locksmiths, security etc) the process is actually called GROOVING. So when looking for a so called Specialized Security Locksmith that deals with Auto vehicles and making calls to them specify that they key needs to be grooved and the make model etc of your vehicle. If they are up for the job, then they will have the specific manufacturer code etc for that type of key setup, dimensions etc. Most Lexus/Toyota owners (80%) complain of this fault in the design in the strength of the plastic housing. We can presume then that this is a common fault. hahahahahaha! Arguments exist on using better compound plastic on these keys but the cost outweighs the benefit on a key for a vehicle that has been in production for a while and ceased in production in some countries. Lexus UK charge approx £146 for a replacement set. I telephoned 5/6 main LEXUS UK dealers for a quote and they all came back with the same price! So this dismisses the myth of different LEXUS UK dealerships offering different prices. Now back to my problem regarding getting myself a replacement key for my broken one. I spent the best part of 2/3 hours on the net and purchased a replacement key in the region of £11.50 inc delivery. This was from a UK seller, only for the fact that he was UK based, but these can be purchased anywhere. The key took 2 days to arrive. Upon inspection I noticed that the key itself was slightly longer (3mm) and was a more golden colour than my spare key that i was using. Apart from the obvious, the housing and sticker on the back looked the real deal. Obviously I knew that I purchased a copy, but upon research I realized that the extra 3mm length should not make any difference. So armed with my replacement key, I went to see a Specialized Locksmith Company that I found on the net in London, who on the telephone reckoned they could do the job but had to see the key first. I explained length of key etc... and was firmly told this will not be an issue! Within 10 minutes of waiting around my new key was grooved from the spare original that i was using. I replaced the transponder from my faulty key unit into the new key and proceeded to try it on my vehicle in all the locks. All worked fine, but the key was a little tight. I went back in and reported this and within minutes the the guy took the key and was back with it slightly thinned in the center part of the key that is flat part. And that was it, I had a perfectly made replacement key that was 3mm longer but worked perfectly fine. Job done at £10 for the grooving, plus 2 hours of my time traveling. Worth noting that it makes sense to have your vehicle with you at the time so you can check the fit after the grooving process is done. All in all I have spent the following.... £11.50 for replacement key, and £10 for grooving = £21.50 + 10hours worth of research etc. mainly on the web, and speaking to Lexus UK and various Locksmiths. So the debate goes on about these replacement key issues relating to the pricing and design faults etc. I have taken the route and path that many Lexus owners have taken with this problem, and thankfully I came out on top for the prices paid and end result. Therefore I decided to share my positive result and information regarding this common issue with other frustrated Lexus owners. At the same time I cannot advise or condone people doing this and taking revenue away from LEXUS UK, whilst at the same time making a saving in excess of £120. Unfortunately I am not too sure of the rules completely on these forums, so I have not disclosed any information regarding the supplier of the key or the company that cut/grooved the key. I would like to upload 2 photos showing my keys but do not want to contravene rule on this subject regarding Replacement Keys non Lexus. I hope the information provided above will of use to the continuing number of Lexus owners that find themselves in the same predicament but unsure what to do! AJ ;) I am currently looking to change all my interior bulbs and speedo AC bulbs as well. Looking to go blueish like VW, any issues to date or help with will greatly received! Already have downloaded material regarding workshop CDs diagrams etc for install, just really want an honest opinion on the colour/ best bulb types (LED) for AC unit, heated seats, trac control, snow, fog, etc switch bulbs alternatives? Maybe my taste is sour! Hahahahaha I have 2 photos I would like to publish regarding my keys, but as such cannot load then from my desktop and paste here. Maybe i need Gold membership?