Apparently the Smarkey I ordered from Germany now needs to be programmed with the car at the dealer. Wonder it there's another charge after already paying 250 for the key?

 

If you order it from the dealer it should come programmed

 

It can't be programmed by a dealer, only by manufacturer

 

I bought mine from the dealer and it came programmed all I had to do was provide my VIN

 

Thanks - good info. When I ordered it they took my VIN off the car. I had to pre-pay for the key. ($230.30 for the remote and 52.50 fort the key insert). Then they left me a message when the part arrived saying they needed the car so they could get it programmed. I shall update you when this occurs.

I am aware that "lost" existing keys can be disabled (should a thief at a dealer auction show up later with your smart key and drive your car away - his key would not work).
So possibly they can program using the old key and new key only for the system to respond to.

 

They may have to get into the EIS, through STAR, and tell it to only recognize the 2 keys in your possession. HTH

 

Last time I checked with the dealer, the guy said NO WE DON"T PROGRAM KEYS!!
lol

 

+1

 

So to conclude: The dealer did indeed get into STAR tools and told it to recognize only the two keys in my possession - programming it with an uplink to a larger metropolitan centre in another province. Cost about 70 bucks. BUT - they gave me a really nice modern key (the one with the chrome sides). So I"m happy I can now utilize the unique key feature for the seats/mirrors/steering wheel adjustment. Thanks for all the comments

 

Glad to see it worked out

 

Hmmmm.... so buying key from ebay won't work....

 

I wouldn't take the chance