Does anyone know where/how to copy the key that does not involve the dealer. My local lock guy said the dealer was my only option. He copied my s-type key but declined on the f-type.
Thoughts?

 

You can try a local locksmith but I've read here and on Reddit the dealership is the best route and its expensive.

 

Aloha, all,
New member from Honolulu. When I bought my MY2020 in 2022, it came with only one fob and no physical keys. A couple of locksmiths said they couldn't help but I was finally referred to someone who could do the job. He came to the house with what seemed like a complete locksmith shop in his pristine Mercedes Sprinter. Very confidence inspiring. He brought a new fob, removed the KVM, and took them back to his van to do whatever magic was needed. Meanwhile, I removed the lock cylinder from the door, which he used to come up with the physical keys that live in the fobs. IIRC, total cost was around $475 -- I think less than the dealer, plus saved travel time and possible delay ordering parts, etc. So this resource does exist outside of dealerships. I called around and was lucky to find this business.
Good luck!

 

find someone that can do coding, they have to solder into the security system in the right footwell and then code in the new key fob.

 

Wow, that sounds like a hassle.

 

We had some mobile locksmith guys that could program keys on the older cars at the dealership, but we had to pull the modules to give them. They were doing it on the bench outside of the car, completely bypassing the factory way of programming a new key.

 

That is what happened in the case of my 2020. I should have been more inquisitive re. what he was doing and what tools/equipment he used, but at the time, I was just so happy that a) it was getting done and b) I didn't have to use the dealer.