Heh heh total flashback - just went through all of this a few weeks ago. Note all this is 95.5+ only, older rigs get cheap old-skool keys that you can get done at any hardware store or whatever...

Key Option 1 - The Stealer:
Can be as much as $80 or more, often the retahds at stealer parts will insist it needs to be a smaht key and 'that's why it's so expensive' when it ain't and besides the transponder part of the key is cheap crap anyway rant rant rant.

Anyway, if you DO get a dealer key it should arrive as a full key, not a blank, pre-cut at the Audi secret command bunker to Ingolstadt approved perfection. Spozedly Audi took back all the key cutting machines from the dealers and insists on making them all themselves. A few dealers might still have the machines but they're now supposed to order them cut by Audi central parts command. If your dealer doesn't do that and wants to give you just a blank, you might try elsewhere since you're paying for the uber official master command bunker service in that high price.

Key Option 2: DIY w/ Locksmith
You can also get a locksmith to cut one but he has to be a modern type dude with sidewinder machines, and it's MUCH better if he has a computerized/electronic sidewinder than a 'manual trace' type cutter as then he can make a new key that's better than the used original - literally 'as good as new'. Note this is also why it's better to have Audi Central Command cut a key if you go the dealer route, as it will be brand new perfect instead of a traced copy.

For the blank, I got a key blank from FleaBay for $13, it is an EXCELLENT real german key made of steel - better than the brass cheap knock offs. Don't worry about the years - the important thing is that it is an "HAA" code key (stamped on the shaft). Because frankly virtually all the modern Audi / VW keys are HAA keys you can really use any blank including switchblade remote style, it's just that the remotes won't work. More on that in a sec.

If you find an excellent locksmith as I did he can also get a range of blanks for you at similar or lower costs (my guy also had some cheap crappy ones but he loved the steel blank I brought in).

Be warned - this cost me around $40 JUST FOR THE CUTTING so total cost savings can be minimal. YMMV - some locksmiths don't charge such a premium for sidewinders (mainly if they only do the manual-trace option) apparently the computerized machine costs $10K or something. And obviously the dealer knows what the locksmith charges and vice-versa... I will say it was much more satisfying to give my money to a cool, friendly and customer service oriented locksmith than the snotty dealer punk bitch (my guy also has VAG-COM to do transponders and is an A4 owner...) He even cut a sample key on a test blank to ensure it was going to come out perfect from the computerized cut before touching my blank, which was perhaps worth the cost.

Remote:
Seems to be dealer only, have searched high and low for generic source to no avail. It happens to be a weird frequency (433.92mhz) and most of the other cheaper and knocked off Audi/VW keys & fobs are all 434mhz or 315mhz. There were/are more options for similar fobs/remotes that MIGHT be compatible (aka 433.92mhz) in the VW/Audi stable but AFAIK these seem to be rare and perhaps were Euro part items - they never show up on the 'bay used or new. I have this as an ongoing project and next time I'm traipsing through Europe on biz I intend to try to find a used cheap VW 433.92 key/fob if possible to bring home and test...

FWIW the new remote fobs from the dealer are improved quality / design than original at least. Looks pretty much same on outside but housing is stronger and feels higher quality, and totally different circuit board inside and slightly better range than old ones.

Risking restating some of the FAQ info, the discount dealers would be the way to go - I got my brandy new remote for about $70 I think. These guys tend to hide behind generic names like "AudiSuperCheapDiscountParts.Com" rather than their actual dealership names - probably because they charge full retail if you're a normal customer who walks into the counter. To 'Out' some of them - here's three that seem to be pretty good on price, although no one is always the best IME:
Miramar VW Audi
Riverside Audi
Prime formerly Clair Audi

Hope dat helps...

JC
Andover MA / Shanghai PRC

---- current ----
1995.5 S6 Avant
-- past lives --
2006 A4 2.0TQA
1998 A6Q 2.8 PES G2
1989 200TQA SJM
1990 CQ
1997 A4 1.8TQ Wett
1987 4kCSQ