As mentioned in a previous post (
http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1248716765)
I sold the omega on Monday. Following the collapse of the ignition key housing, it turns out that the new owner had issues with the spare, and as it was engaged on the steering lock, and the barrel spinning freely, had it towed to the local garage by the AA.
The local garage took it to the nearest VX dealership.
Now, i'd told the new owner that I would be happy to continue to provide mechanical support to the car as he didn't really do maintainance himself. I'd also said that I would be more than happy to pay for a new ignition barrel as I feel mortified that this has happenned (contrary to what chris Gixer thinks- doesn't matter any way.)
The VX stealership has come back today with the following quote: £491 for :
new barrel
new keys
recoding keys and barrel
New Barrel retaining bolt
What i'd like to ask is if there are alternatives?
Is the transponder for the ignition barrel integrated into the barrel or is it external and if so can the old transponders be used?
I was all set for the purchase of a new barrel and new ignition key blades and fobs and just swap over the transponder chips.
The car is in Reading area, and the guy who bought it is on crutches with the use of only one leg. I said that I would get this sorted as it wasn't fair on him, but we're both of the opinion that £491 is taking the piss for a car which cost him 400 :-/
Any advice greatly appreciated, as I really do want this not to go through the hands of a VX mechanic - even If I have to pay someone on here to recode etc.
Any advice greatfully appreciated.