I just bought a 04 A6 3.0 Quattro and the owner only had the 2nd key (non remote) and the small plastic valet key. I'm curious as to how many keys originally come with the A6, and, what's my best/cheapest route to get a new flip key with the security remote. Also what's involved with the programming? Am I stuck having to go to the dealer and get gouged? Thanks!

 

I hear that some of the guys get blanks and have the dealer cut them but the dealers don't like it. The only way I know is to take your first born to the dealer and see if you can trade him/her for a key.

 

According to my 06 owner's manual, 2 remotes, 1 valet, and 1 emergency key were included with my car.
Dealers can provide remote keys to you and program them to the car (doesn't take much, click unlock, insert and turn ignition to ON, then off, then press unlock again. Should hear it click. Get out, close the door and press lock, then unlock, insert key into door and turn once to unlock. Now your remote is programmed.)

 

Don't get one on-line used or aftermarket they do not work.

You need to go to Audi, They are not cheap.

I bought one on-line and the imobilzer chip was no good. VW is able to cut blanks (they have them) if you just want a key to open the door, but they can not program the Imobilizer.

 

There's a lesson here to all Audi buyers -- make sure you get both keys or negotiate the price down by $200. I had the same problem with my Crossfire SRT6 and, due to other issues besides the missing key, took $2k off the price. That key cost me $140.