Spare keys and satnav disks

[Simon David Thomas]

Hi all,

I bought my first Jag last week and am looking for a couple of bits of advice; it's a 2007 XJ Executive TDVi (pre-facelift, the X350 version).

1) It only came with the one key. Call me paranoid, but I hate the idea of having no backup; every other car I've owned has had a spare key hanging up in the kitchen "just in case". I see adverts on eBay, specialists offering to come out and do the cutting and programming etc. and was hoping to get some advice as to what course of action to take. E.g.: Is it worth buying a spare key and taking it to a Jag dealership to get it programmed? Are there other options available? I'm guessing other people have run into this before.

2) Satnav DVDs. The car has the touchscreen setup with the DVD-ROM drive for the satnav behind a panel in the boot - the disk itself was missing (and the dealer knocked £60 off the price for that). Again, there are numerous examples on eBay and Amazon, running from £25 to £55, with the latest version seeming to be 2012. Is 2012 the absolute latest? I'm guessing probably yes, as an SD card-based system would have more storage, fewer moving parts and be more robust than an optical drive. Has anyone had prior experience with these disks?

All advice and opinion is welcome.

Thanks

[Old Peter]

Welcome to the club, Simon.

My s type [07 plate] has the same system, and I updated the disc that was in fr a 2012 disc from a supplier via a google search for £29.  Works fine.   Sadly I loaned the original disc to a member who needed to test his system and he never returned it or answered a PM.

Do get a spare key -- I go out of my was to ensure any car I have has got one.  The spare remains in SWMBO's handbag, as the key for her car remains in my pocket.

Wiltshire Jaguar is an independent jaguar Garage and also trading members of the club.  Worth trying.

Regards,

Peter. 

[Geedubbleya]

Hi, I am in the same boat with no spare key for my recent purchase of the XJ8. My local Jaguar agent have quoted me around £300 to get a spare and code it to the car. Is that about right or are there cheaper options available? I also do not like not having a backup key.

Regards

Graham

[Old Peter]

Hi Graham, 

It is possible that a good auto locksmith could do the job for less than £300.  it also could be worth checking the price from an independent Jaguar specialist.  Wiltshire Jaguar, who are trading members of the JOC, might bedworth a 'phone call.

There are certain things I like in my car -- a spare key and a proper spare wheel.  I have just bough SWMBO a Toyota Yaris Hybrid for a 50th Wedding anniversary present, which came with a can of gloop.  I bought a matching alloy rim, a new tyre of the same brand as the others and a jack. I already had a wheelbase.  They fit neatly in the boot.

Regards,

Peter.

[JOE-DOT-COM]

Hi

As peter said

I have a local locksmith that does everthing to do with keys and also does car keys very competitive

they can clone you existing key and at a much cheaper option, of a new program key, as no interfacing with the car is required, but they also do new programed keys and new programed remotes as well, all much much cheaper than the dealer

I'd phone round a few lock smiths in the area and see whats the best deal you can get, also a lot are mobile now and they come to you

its worth getting one, because if you lose the key, then only jaguar, or some one with jaguar IDS/SDD can program new ones

its worth googling it in your area

cheers

Joe

 

[Geedubbleya]

Thanks guys for your input. I'll make some enquiries locally

 

Regards Graham