1999 Z3 key types

[Conorc1983]

Good evening all!! I’m in the process of fixing up my z3 to get it summer ready. I’ve most niggles sorted but one is puzzling me.
When I bought it, I was provided with one key (same type in the photo)

I’m led to believe that pushing the button on this is only for a light on the key and not to lock and unlock.

My question is, can I buy another type of bow key fob (other than the tombstone ones) and programme it in or do I need to buy a tombstone key fob?

Many thanks in advance!

 

[colb]

Looks to me like its a dumb key with only the transponder chip in it, it doesn't have the buttons for central locking.
My December 1999 1.8 has a tombstone style three button key, there are lots of blank blade fobs on ebay but they don't have transponder chips or the pcb circuit inside for the central locking. Idea is that you re-shell your original key using the transponder and pcb by putting them in the shell of the replacement. Other option would be to try one of these but you need to find someone to cut the blade using your original and then getting it coded to your car by programming the transponder chip. The central locking function has to be synced to the car by a series of button pressing. Threads on here on how to do this. I am assuming your car has central locking but obviously not working due to the dumb key you have. If you get an ebay key you can try syncing it before having the blade cut just to see if it works as there are two distinct functions within the key, one central locking and the other the immobiliser system that the transponder chip controls.

Pardon our interruption...

 

[Conorc1983]

Thanks colb! I’ll give it a go before I shell out any large outlay for getting a key cut!

 

[Duncodin]

Mine is March 99. I have the 3 button key