quicksilver controls question

[109jb]

I have a 1988 Sea Ray Seville with a 1997 115 HP Mercury Mariner outboard. Right now it has the Mercury side mount controls like the ones in the first picture. I believe the boat originally came with a flush mount control like the second picture. I'll be redoing the interior this fall and the second style is a cleaner look and with the first style I keep bashing the key when I spin in the seat. Almost broke one off already. I can get a used set of quicksilver controls like the second picture but was wondering if I will run into any catches upon install. I realize that the second unit will require a separate ignition/choke switch, but the boat already has one in the console and I do have the key for it. Are these type controls as reliable, more reliable, less reliable than the side mount style? Any drawbacks to switching controls?

Thanks,

John B.