I also posted this request in "General Volvo Chat" I hope I didn't break the rules by cross posting. Hopefully someone has an answer.......

Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Gregg and I just purchased a 2002 V70 T5. I live in Simi Valley, CA and this is my second Volvo wagon the first being a 740 a number of years back.

The car is in excellent condition with 122k miles but looks and runs like it has 75k. It is a late 2002 build and the trans seems to work well though I will be flushing it on GP. I was well informed while shopping with all of the information I gathered here. For that I thank all of you.

The car came to me with only one key. Today I went to the local Volvo dealer, Volvo of Calabassas in Calabassas, CA, and was informed that 1 new key and 1 new remote would cost over $400 out the door. I started laughing but could have just as easily started crying.

The cost was broken down as follows;

$ 65 for the key
$ 35 for the key software
$ 35 to cut the key
$117 for the remote
$ 35 for the remote software
$ 25 (approx) for sales tax
$???? for a service appointment to have the key and remote programed for the car.

This Volvo replaces a Lexus for which a key and remote were sourced for under $125. Similar cost on my Benz.

There has to be a more cost effective way. I hope some of you might lead me in a direction to source a key and one or two remotes for much less

 

Well ... $512.00 dollars later I have one new key and two new remotes giving me two full key sets. I added the second remote as there was no additional software to pay for and no additional tech time @$ 118.00 per hour.

OUCH !!!!!!

 

When we bought our 2004 S60 Volvo last year at a used car lot, it only came with the one remote key. I decided we didn't need to pay the expense for a second remote, just got the backup key. I still had to pay $40 for the key, $30 to cut the key, $40 for the software and $115 labor to program the key. Still much cheaper than buying the remote unit. This all does seem like a rip off expecially since they charge for the minimum of one hour labor when I suspect it takes the mechanic about 15 minutes to program the key.

 

I programed my own key yesterday, but that is on 2002 VW GTI using a special software and tool,VCDS. I have VIDA/Dice for my 2002 Volvo V70XC and a used remote, but not yet able to program the remote. the car came only with on single key.

 

I can say its not a very big deal. The cost list you shown is normal for volvo. It's nearly accurate to that of the standard price. But there are so many mechanic in CA, so wait and look for someone who deal with less bucks.