[s-cars] what's the low-down on dealer keys from codes now?

[JC]

S-car brothers... Quick key related question. My sister's
abused-but-admirably-dependable '96 12v2.8 A4 has had it's last key
disappear (DOH... chick siblings...) So minor crisis time for her.  
 
Local evil stealer claims "we can't not make no keys for old cars no more!" 
The heinous fartweasel wants $1.5K to replace all lock cylinders in car.
(Hmmm... car's probably barely worth more than that.)
 
Now I had a good runaround with idiot stealerships on getting a spare for Ye
Olde UrS Battlewagon and got the whole lowdown on "Audi has taken back all
key making to Central Command" etc... IME getting fine copies made via combo
of independent locksmiths and eBay key blanks was the 100% way to go... But
at the time the dealer still was indeed willing to give me a "deal" (aka
prison rape pricing) on making a key from some code they had on file. 
 
Any recent BTDT on this?  Is it true AoA won't make a key from the codes in
the database anymore or doesn't have the codes or sunfin? 
Can we get AoA/stealer cough us up a code that will be useful to an
independent?  I know there was some legislation and I think they are
required to cooperate with locksmiths by law or sunt'in.  
 
Also - crisis is going down in the DC Metro area so also would greatly
appreciate any refs to:
1. DC area dealerships that might be less a$$h0lish?
2. A great independent locksmith in the DC area who can help? 
 
 
 
---- current ----
1995.5 S6 Avant 
2008 A3 2.0tDSG
---- past lives ----
2006 A4 2.0TQA
1998 A6Q 2.8 PES G2
1989 200TQA SJM
1990 CQ
1997 A4 1.8TQ Wett
1987 4kCSQ 
 
John J. Cunningham
 <mailto:jc at j2c3.com> jc at j2c3.com
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