I just replaced my lock cylinder (along with the ignition switch) and couldn't get the damn thing out using the proper pin/stiff wire method. And trust me, I tried to use that method using various large paper clips, a bobby pin, a welding tip cleaner (that was the best thing to use). But after many, many, many hours of trying all of those I decided to try something different.
I grabbed the Dremel and cut off the outer metal ring that's on the end of the ignition cylinder. After cutting that ring off you can pull the guts out of the cylinder and use a small screwdriver to pull on the cylinder release from inside the cylinder.
That method works great, but it destroys the ignition cylinder.
I need to now replace the ignition lock as neither the cylinder nor the switch was causing my problem.
Unfortunately I can't find any info on how it's done, and no one has answered my question on how to take the damn thing out.
I can tell you that I will be drilling a hole in the ignition lock where the release button on the ignition cylinder is. That way I can insert something through the hole (nail, etc.) to push directly down on the release button rather than trying to slide a wire over top of the button to release it (as BMW intended it to be done). Not only will that make it a lot easier to pull the cylinder out should it ever need to be done again, but it will also be possible to pull the cylinder out even if you can't get the key turned over to the proper spot for the wire method to work.
Would love it if someone could tell me how to get the damn steering lock out so I can put the new one in and drive my M-Sport again...
Cosmos Black/Black 1995 540iA M-Sport
BMW Individual Exclusive Edition, 1 of 65 total, 9/25/95 Build