Does anyone have any experience with the ebay key fobs? How do they work? A buddy of mine just purchased an '04 S60 for around 6 grand at a dealer auction. It has a few issues, one of them being the key fob is ruined. If I remember right, the dealer quoted him $400+ for a new fob.

Here's what he's looking at: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2003-...Q5fAccessories

Also, what are some good bang-for-the-buck mods for this car? The will be a DD and kid mover, so nothing crazy. I'm thinking a chip and exhaust should add a bit of extra pep. Maybe a drop and some wheels in the future. Any suggestions?

edit-Forgot to add, its fwd and turbo with auto tranny.

Only pic I have at the moment.

 

Key fobs are only good for spares and can not be coded to the car. As for bang for buck. Get the car remapped.

 

So the dealer route would be the only way to go for getting a new key?

 

Unfortunately yes. Over here in the Uk it is £50 for a key fob and £50 for coding. Which is around $180 (guesstimation) US dollars (you can double that if you need the key as well) so the quote your friend was given seems a little high unless the quote was for a key as well.?
You need to code the key (immobiliser) and keyfob (plipper) on a Volvo. And Volvo are the only people who can do it so they effectively charge what they like knowing full well that you have no alternative.

 

I believe you can get a key fob from the eBay purchase reset at the dealer........I don't think it's permanent in the memory of a used one. But you should call your local Volvo dealer and verify that first. When we bought our 2004 S60 Volvo last year, it only had one key, the remote unit. So I went to my local Volvo dealer parts department and they gave me the price for another remote unit with key (@ $110) or just the backup key. The remote unit was very expensive so I just got the backup key for $40. The total cost was about $110 for labor plus the key, plus cutting the key, plus the software to code the key. If I had gotten the remote unit, they would have to program the software for it too........additional cost. You might be save some costs if you get a used remote from eBay that they will still have to program but check with your Volvo dealer to confirm whether they can program a used remote. You will also have to buy the new detachable key portion for the used remote because they have to cut the key to fit your door lock......I recall that's also about $30.

 

You CAN NOT code a second hand remote. Unless it has the code for the remote with it which comes with the car when you purchase it new or when you buy a new remote fob from your dealer. Second hand remotes on ebay don't come with the individual code to code them to the car so can not be coded. Don't waste your money on a useless remote.
The old Phase 1 Volvos could be coded but the newer phase 2's like the S60 can not.
Second hand remotes are only good for parts. DO NOT BUY A SECOND HAND REMOTE YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO CODE IT TO YOUR CAR.