Have a read through this thread, it's quite useful. I used it when i was thinking about getting a flip key, but decided against it.

http://www.clubpolo.co.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=273569

Ok cool thanks, the key i have is bent already has the brand KL on it and i'm not sure i trust it and don't have a spare it seems really cheap! .

How to i get the key matched to it? i would also need a spare cut as well

liz

Timpsons will cut you a duplicate key and code the immobiliser chip as for getting the lock made to fit the key, I bought the lock from my local stealership and for a tenner they made it up to match my key

Has mine got an immobiliser?

Thanks guys that's really helpful

A 99 model will definitely have a factory fitted immobiliser :)

Mine does and mine's a 99 as well. You can feel it as you're turning the key in the ignition. Plus it deactivates the steering lock.

You can feel it as you're turning the key in the ignition. Plus it deactivates the steering lock.

You can't feel a thing !! it's electronic signals & has absolutely nothing to do with the steering lock !! that is a purely mechanical lock pin

Ah, okay. my bad, I assumed they went hand in hand. :)

Makes the fact that i only have one key even more worrying in that case!

Always better to have a backup.

Those locks you mention Liz are total rubbish. I've Sen them on eBay. The metal is absolute rubbish and the key itself may as well be made of cheese.

I would get a replacement set, so boot lock, both door locks and the ignition of a breaker. Ideally look for one that already has two keys.

There really is no point in making a copy of the cheap locks key, the lock itself will seize in a month or two.

Immobiliser wise, you can swap the chip from the old keys into the new one. If you only have the one key then you can get the chip cloned at most locksmiths for little money, or get a second one made but this will need some one coming to your car to do this.

Thanks for that, I've found out now that the boot lock is completely knackered and the crap door locks are getting really stiff, i've greased them for now but as you say that key won't last very long at all. Are the ignitions hard to change and where abouts is the immobiliser situated, ie can you just change it for the replacement one? I'll do a wanted post and consult the manual!

just an update on this, i've spoken to VW who at first said that i can buy new door lock barrels for about £20 each and they can tumble them to the key, but they have since said that this isn't the case as mine is the later laser cut type.

They said they don't do the boot lock, and the rest need to come from the factory.

so new ignition and door locks with two keys would be about £240, new door lock barrels are £80.66 each with another key which could then be tumbled to match my existing ignition key, but a spare key from the factory is £66 plus coding comes to £117.67 inc VAT....

So i'm not sure how to proceed from now, best options are to get the door lock barrels off a breaker and have them coded but if i want a spare key its expensive, or I get the whole lot of a breaker with two keys providing the immobiliser and ignition isn't a bastard to swap over!

can someone clarify if timpsons can indeed cut one of these types of keys and clone the chip? because the cheapest and easiest option is to just get second hand door lock barrels and have them tumbled to match ignition and have a spare key cut by key place, that way i'd only be paying VW for the tumbling part.

mines a V reg 1999 AFH engine by the way

thanks

Liz

Last year I went into my local Timpsons to enquire about a spare for my Ibiza ( same inner profile key as yours Liz) and they offered a standard key with/without immob chip, Two button C/Locking key or Flip key I can't recall the prices but they could (at the time) definitely cut the keys :)

ok thats great news, I'm finding out how much VW charge to tumple the door locks and will post my findings in due course!

Timpsons £95 for the basic key with a coded chip for the immob, £145 for the two button key for remote locking with the coded chip