Do I have to go to a Jag dealer to have a new key cut? Obviously these are not every day keys you see so what am I looking at here cost wise? What about a new remote?

 

The key you will have will have a transponder fitted and this will act with the immobiliser function. So a new key with transponder is probably a job for the realer. A basic key can be cut though, so not a dealer job. Any key fob can be married to the car - can't remember the proper procedure but involves the valet switch unside the arm rest so try searching for something along the lines of 'x300 key fob valet switch'.
Edit: I thought any key fob for an x300 would work but reading someone elses post they suggest there may be different frequencies on key fobs.

 

I had a Jag dealer make a new key for me and send it via the US Post Office (to save me a 110 mile round trip). About $70 all in, as I recall. No programming required. I don't think the USA X300s used a transponder key or, if they do, it's self-learning/programming---which wouldn't make much sense.

The USA X300s don't have a code lock radio, either, by the way.

The key fob for the remote locks will be either 315hz or 433hz. It's stamped on the back of the fob.

Cheers
DD

 

I got my key at the dealer for about $20 or so, just a normal key. I cannot speak for cars outside of the US, but Jaguar started using transponder keys in 1998 with the introduction of the X308 (the 1997 Xk8's probably used transponder keys too).

Roadhouse, your car probably uses the 315 frequency, but I'd check with a dealer. The cost is a bit to high (for me) to guess on the frequency.

 

Here is the info on frequencies for the U.S. spec cars

bob gauff