Hey there Gav,
Was distressed to read of your grief with the transmission.
Now, regarding keys. They can usually obtained through a stealer as they need to verify the VIN number to get the immobiliser chip right for your beastie (frequency) and provide the correct cut shaft. Having said that there are indy's in the UK that can provide a new key blank with the correct bits for somewhat less than a dealer will charge here. They do it via essentially the same method of VIN verification. Beware though as some only provide the fob electronics package and a blank shaft so you still have to get a specialist locksmith to cut the shaft to match for you here. This tends to be a non-cheap exercise too.
If you know someone who has a FaultMate then it can be used to teach the immobiliser the new key chip. This would be much cheaper than having the dealer do it with TestBook/T4.
Although, all up if you have a good relationship with your local stealer then they may be willing to program it for you gratis if you obtain the key through them. Bear in mind that they typically still have to come from LR in the UK anyway so either method (stealer or UK indy) will be as slow as the other.
So, if you get the key fob cheaper out of the UK you still have to get a local dealer to program it into the car for you. If you get it here they will usually quote you to get the key and program it. Be sure to clarify that anyway. In the end, my gut says the resulting cost may be very similar for either method. Your research may show different.
My initial research, out of curiosity, showed fairly similar costs but I certainly didn't spend a lot of time hunting.
I'm sorry I can't remember any of the places I found that had new keys for the L322. The price landed I recall was about half what the dealer wanted. I think about $300, a couple of years ago. Hence the lack of remembering names.
My L322 also only came with one key but I never felt a compelling need to get another as I'm the only one in the household licensed to drive, and my girlfriend refuses to drive the beast. The only thing wrong with my solitary key was that the rubber button covers had broken up. This was easily fixed with a $25 Polmex kit obtained via FleaPay. So, good as new.
Hope this helps some.
Cheers,
Iain


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