FIAT Panda (2003 - ) - 2004 1.2 Eleganza, spare key & handbook source ?

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
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Sat 29 Mar 2008 22:32
2004 1.2 Eleganza, spare key & handbook source ? - g3zdm
Just in the process of purchasing an August 2004 reg 1.2 Litre (second hand) Fiat Panda Exclusive.
Unfortunately it only has 1 key and , as the car is to be driven by both my wife and my daughter, we're going to need a 2nd key.
Not wanting to pay outrageous Fiat dealer prices, does anyone know how I can get a spare without paying through the nose - and preferably without having to lose the existing key for more than a few hours ?
We also need an owners handbook and wonder if there's a better or cheaper source than purchasing one from a Fiat dealer.
In case it helps, we're in the South Manchester area.

Chris Muriel, Manchester

Edited by Dynamic Dave on 31/03/2008 at 01:12

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Sun 30 Mar 2008 09:54
2004 1.2 Exclusive, spare key & handbook source ? - Armitage Shanks {p}
These people might help with the key

www.autolocksmiths.net/

Do a forum search - somebody has very recently posted something with 3 links to a source of car handbooks although I think they may have been for older cars.

Just found www.FiatHandBooks.co.uk - prices from £5.95

Edited by Armitage Shanks {p} on 30/03/2008 at 09:56

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Sun 30 Mar 2008 10:28
2004 1.2 Exclusive, spare key & handbook source ? - oilrag
Hi Chris, I think I would be quite keen to have a lost key excluded from the cars immobiliser if buying a used car. Given that it might not be insured otherwise if its ever stolen.

Regards
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Mon 31 Mar 2008 00:38
2004 1.2 Exclusive, spare key & handbook source ? - g3zdm
Fair point.
Also it's a Panda Eleganza - don't know why my brain said "Exclusive" :-(

Chris Muriel, Manchester
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Mon 31 Mar 2008 14:31
2004 1.2 Exclusive, spare key & handbook source ? - g3zdm
Local Fiat dealer wants £84 for the key and code + £13 for an owners manual.
Timpsons reckon they can do a blue coded remote key for £30.
Will test that theory this afternoon - helluva price difference.

Chris Muriel, Manchester
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Mon 31 Mar 2008 17:08
2004 1.2 Exclusive, spare key & handbook source ? - g3zdm
Update :
Timpson's key machine/reader comes up with "no transponder" (totally untrue because the key works fine in all respects).
So it appears that only a Fiat Delaer can do it.
Local dealer reckons about £80 for the key which has to specially ordered from Fiat once we have proved that we're the vehicle owners; hopefully our New Keeper Supplement (section 10 of the DVLA Logbook form) will suffice.
Then the "labour" for programming the new key adds about another £50.
So 2 trips to nearest dealer (13 miles away) required + about £130 !

Chris Muriel, Sale , Cheshire
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Mon 31 Mar 2008 21:41
2004 1.2 Exclusive, spare key & handbook source ? - Another John H
get the seller to reduce the selling price to allow for the key and book cost.

FIAT will do replacement books, for a price, but the book giving the servicing schedule will say "duplicate" or similar words that I can't remember at the moment.

It's possible that the transponder from the key is loose in the footwell (!).

Unless it's an exceptional deal I'd walk - there are plenty out there without "issues".
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