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Replacement key shell quality?

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Old Sep 13, 2024 | 09:48 AM
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Question Replacement key shell quality?

Hey guys,
I'm posting this here, I hope it's the right place?
My key housing has cracked, and even though I have all three keys, of which two are brand new never used, I want a new shell with the blade and fix it and keep using it (transferring the transponder and the buttons etc.). It's for the '03 GS, 3 button remote, but this is used on many many Lexuses and Toyotas.
Ebay has tons of these, cheap cheap chinese stuff. Has anyone bought those? Are those any good? For the price I kinda doubt it, but since there's no OEM empty shell (as far as I know) this is my only option. I also found italian made (Iguess it's chinese too) Silca branded, for roughtly the same price, dunno if it is any better...?
A side question: one of my keys has a small metal tag on it, I suppose that is the "master key" - whatever it means. What does it do exatly? What's the difference?
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Old Sep 13, 2024 | 10:35 AM
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They have OEM Lexus keys on Ebay, I've bought them.

Check it again.
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Old Sep 13, 2024 | 11:02 AM
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keys yes (very expensive). just the empty shell: no.
read it again.
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Old Sep 13, 2024 | 11:52 AM
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You're looking for just a shell old school key to place the transponder in?

They keys are like $10, Lexus brand, and it's $35 at the dealer to cut them.

If you're talking keyless entry I have no idea.
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Old Sep 13, 2024 | 08:40 PM
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yes, just as I wrote already. new shell, old transponder transferred into it.
can you send me a link for those lexus branded original $10 keys? i really don't find them. I only find chinese ones for $10 (or for any price even), but I would be okay with those as well, if they dont break in am onth or so - that's what I'm asking, if those are any good or just junk as usual with chinese stuff?
here oem keys are only available with transponder for about $400, and they need to be cut and programmed by the dealer as well, i guess that's another $150-200.
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Old Sep 13, 2024 | 10:22 PM
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Originally Posted by AJT123
You're looking for just a shell old school key to place the transponder in?

They keys are like $10, Lexus brand, and it's $35 at the dealer to cut them.

If you're talking keyless entry I have no idea.
Just because they have a Lexus logo and Denso sticker doesn't mean they're OEM. This is eBay we're talking about. Those $10 keys are not OEM.

They are fine for a replacement though. They're probably ****tier than OEM, but I can't imagine subjecting keys to that much stress on the regular?
OP, maybe if you're worried, you can get a ten-pack of shells for $30.
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Old Sep 13, 2024 | 10:25 PM
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This has been covered for years on this site. Search the site for good shell options. This site also has the key programming instructions too. I’ve personally used it myself
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