Locked to the vehicle is relative. If you took the key chip, DAS / AAM / ECU it should transfer to another car. The locks can remain original as long as you use a chip that matches the DAS. You could even get a spare ignition antenna ring, place the chip in the middle then stash it under the dash away from the ignition switch.

On a 97 C280 / E320 / SL320 I've swapped complete sets to run the car. ( these don't have an AAM that is tied to DAS and the instrument cluster isn't vehicle specific. )

In the 97's, the VIN lives in a micro processor in the ECU, the handshake between the DAS box and ECU occurs there. If you have any state mandated plug in emission tests the wrong VIN will show up though.

The 7 speed auto has a processor in the transmission that is locked to the car but yours is a 5 speed.

E bay is the source for programmers, I don't have a specific seller.