My car only came with one key which i was a bit concerned about. Considering I had bought the car via the auctions the thought goes through your mind in case anyone had got the key and had some evil intent!! I had the previous owners telephone number so called him to ask – amongst many other questions – whether he still had the key. He told me that he had never had a second key since buying it in 2006 – so fears alaid.
Through one of the ZT forums I found no someone who could cut the key and programme a fob to attach to the key …… but it meant a 100+ mile journey each way to programme the key to the car. But it was not a key with a built in remote but a separate fob attached to the key ring which I wasn’t too keen on.
As an alternative I contacted MG specialist based in Swadlincote which is about 10 miles away who could get a pre programmed key direct from BMW and post it to me. They just needed the VIN no and £150!!…. and they would re programme the lost key and said they could switch on some of the programmable options in the car controls via their T4 machine whilst at it.
The key arrived and i went to Swadlincote to collect but unfortunately the remote function couldn’t be programmed to work – and in doing so messed up a lot of the controls.
To solve the problem it was suggested I contact AUSTIN GARAGES near Burton on Trent. He quickly worked out that the suppliers had sent a key with the wrong remote frequency which would obviously not connect to the car. They had supplied a 315MHz key …. UK cars require a 433 MHz key.
So after another trip to the original garage in Swadlincote and another wait for the correct key to arrive and then on to Austin Garages in Burton on Trent to programme it I now have 3 keys instead of just the original “one” (2 with a remote and one without) ….. it cost me a lot in miles but i got there in the end!
So when getting a replacement key make sure you order the correct frequency ….. 433MHz for UK cars.
MG ZT info mods and maintenance 