Hi All and happy new year to everyone. I need to replace my ignition  as its now worn and causing some issues when starting as the key moves around a fair bit.  Is there a generic system I can buy that's cheaper than BMW system  Regards Brian

If you go ahead with an alternative ignition switch, you'll end up with two keys...one for the ignition and one for the fuel tank lock.

As a suggestion, why don't you hunt down a second hand K ignition switch and key the other locks to the one key?

There are plenty of posts about rekeying locks.

Due to where the lock cylinder and key are located, loosely in the dash pad (on an 8V, at least), it would be relatively easy to swap it for a generic lock cylinder/ignition set, but the electrical portion of the switch at the lock cylinder's base would have to be rewired to suit. There are a heap of secondhand K sets on eBay and Motorworks/Motobins and etc., are good sources as well. I have a spare in my shed near Brissy, but it's another nine/ten months 'til I'm back.

TWB - I tried the generic route some time back but ran into the problem that BMW seem to have 'non-standard' cross-linking inside the ignition barrel. It's related to the pilot light circuit coming on at the first key position as well as by the normal light switch. It should be possible to use/modify some Eighties/Nineties Honda and Suzuki ignition switches which have a similar internal linkage but the easy way is to go hunt a secondhand BMW set.

Just connect the park light output together with the ordinary output,
only drawback is that the park light is on as long the ignition is on
.......not a big problem I would say.

Many thanks for replies that's all very useful info. Happy new year to you all.