[avi8tir]

I mean, I know safety is paramount..... but the disappearing of buttons has just been more annoying than anything to me personally. As cool as it looks to have all screens in front of you, the muscle memory and physical button for primary functions like HVAC seem fundamental.

At least bring back the 8 programmable buttons! Lol.

Sounds like the EU is pushing for a certain amount to return...

https://www.bmwblog.com/2024/03/07/a...or-of-buttons/

[Drbob20]

Just curious, playing devils advocate, if I have to turn the temp up or down, it's one click, if I have to change the fan speed it's two clicks on the screen. Coming from a RR sport, this is similar. I'm finding absolutely 0 difficulty clicking a screen 1x vs. a physical button 1x, just not sure where the issue is.

[smyles]

I daily Tesla (flame suit on) and gotta say, a properly designed interface alleviates most of the "wish there were buttons" concerns.

[starlights]

Hello BMW, change temp to...

Although one will need to continue subscribing to connected service for that

[mmm50i]

Originally Posted by smyles

I daily Tesla (flame suit on) and gotta say, a properly designed interface alleviates most of the "wish there were buttons" concerns.

When I’m at a stop light, I don’t mind using the screen. However, when my car is moving, I prefer physical buttons. I’ve only put about 3000km on my Tesla and this what I’ve realized.

[BlkGS]

It's all cost cutting. Put everything in a screen and you don't have to pay for discrete buttons and switches.

Pay more, get less, while we tell you that it's "more modern".

[nZtiZia]

as many have been saying, going ‘buttonless’ decreases safety

https://jalopnik.com/cars-without-re...zC3J7V6TdYw9UI

[six]

On 8.5 you can’t adjust the climate or seat heating when the parking view screen is on, not even with voice control. At home I’ve got the geo location panorama view set to be on as I find it useful pull out of my drive. But since it comes straight on at start up we can’t adjust the cabin temp or seats until we’ve left and are under way. Not even the passenger can.

It’s more irritating to me that this is in part because I’ve had to put pano view on geo location as they’ve taken the panoramic view button away! Been using that button for more than 15 years in various BMW, quite irritating I must say!

Don’t get me wrong, there are some great aspects to 8.5 and the screen but I’d love to have climate and presets back on physical buttons in the future.

I see Tesla are putting even the gearbox shift on the screen, yuk!

[AndrewG25]

It's not just 2 taps to change AC controls. If you are using Navigation, it's another tap to get back to the map. So at least 3 taps compared to 1 with physical buttons. Also, they did a software update recently which changed the control layout, which I had to figure out how to defog my windshield while driving and navigating in a new car, which in my opinion was much more dangerous than having the traditional 1 button to do this task.

[LDT]

Much ado about nothing IMO

[LDT]

Originally Posted by AndrewG25

It's not just 2 taps to change AC controls. If you are using Navigation, it's another tap to get back to the map. So at least 3 taps compared to 1 with physical buttons. Also, they did a software update recently which changed the control layout, which I had to figure out how to defog my windshield while driving and navigating in a new car, which in my opinion was much more dangerous than having the traditional 1 button to do this task.

My LCI M60i has individual buttons for front and rear defrosters. I would think the 50e also has them??

[Drbob20]

Originally Posted by AndrewG25

It's not just 2 taps to change AC controls. If you are using Navigation, it's another tap to get back to the map. So at least 3 taps compared to 1 with physical buttons. Also, they did a software update recently which changed the control layout, which I had to figure out how to defog my windshield while driving and navigating in a new car, which in my opinion was much more dangerous than having the traditional 1 button to do this task.

I think I have 8.5, regardless of what screen I'm on, nav, Car Play, etc.. Changing the temperature is a single click, changing fan speed (which I personally rarely do) is 2 clicks. I get some people really like buttons, but from my experience and the amount of "clicks" this is no more than my previous 2018 RR, which you had to press the dial to get a fan speed icon then change fan speed, same thing with heated/cooled seats, press then dial then change heating/cooling.

I've had the BMW for about one month now and it's become 2nd nature, I don't even think about it.

[biterror]

How do you keep the touch screen clean? I would hate it having greasy fingerprints all over. That's why I'm never using the touch screen with iDrive 7.

I also find it difficult to use a touch screen on uneven roads where your hand is moving up and down all the time.

[six]

To be fair it’s very easy to clean. I use screen cleaner and a micro fibre cloth. Also I absolutely hate the fingerprints but in reality I don’t tend to notice them as much as I thought I might… Then again to your other point I tend to use the controller as much as possible as it’s a much better experience on the move. I prefer to scroll and zoom the map using the controller touch pad over the screen too…

[BatMeoW]

My take on buttons vs. no/minimal buttons: as much as I thought buttons are necessary, over the years I’ve realized that voice inputs are probably the best. I feel buttons on steering wheels are absolutely must for things like volume(and changing tracks/media sources), which is likely most commonly used option. For everything else, there should be a voice input that just works. I’m still on iDrive6 on my X3 and have all the buttons including the programmable shortcuts. For me, the realization of power of voice input started with CarPlay. As I used it more and more, I realized how good and safe voice input is for common things like making calls, setting navigation directions and even in rare cases, sending messages. Changing temperature is something that I rarely use and the auto works for most part. It is even more rare that I change temperature more than twice in any journey.

Not sure how many of us actually realize this, but there are in total of 60 buttons in my iDrive6 just to control the screen, media and cruise control. The placement is on center dash, IDrive control, steering and stalk. Not counting buttons on the doors and for lights. That’s also pretty overwhelming if you just consider the number. 🙂

I just wish that the voice input works and it works without any subscription. I don’t like moving my hands away from steering wheel. Even the hardware shortcut buttons needs a momentarily attention if you want to click a button somewhere in the middle.

A fast, accurate voice input in combination with physical buttons on steering wheel is best and safest combo in my opinion.

[Mixitt]

Originally Posted by LDT

Much ado about nothing IMO

Where you sit is what you see.

Long live my 2019 and its glorious buttons.

[avi8tir]

Originally Posted by Drbob20

Just curious, playing devils advocate, if I have to turn the temp up or down, it's one click, if I have to change the fan speed it's two clicks on the screen. Coming from a RR sport, this is similar. I'm finding absolutely 0 difficulty clicking a screen 1x vs. a physical button 1x, just not sure where the issue is.

Funny you mention it but I had a RR Sport this past weekend as a rental.... what a piece of garbage that thing is (ask my fiance as I cursed it constantly). I don't know what kind of moron designed that layout.... basically have to look at the cup holders to touch the right things to change the AC.

[rmorin1249]

Originally Posted by Mixitt

Where you sit is what you see.

Long live my 2019 and its glorious buttons.

Hear, Hear!!

[Cityman]

I like using voice commands for the climate control system. Works very well.

[Rondi]

I plan to keep my 2022 forever more

[medialook]

I've been rushing to get pre-LCI to get the buttons. Much preffered option for me. Loving the ability of saving functions / radio stations shortcuts under 1-8 buttons is great.

[BMPHIL]

Originally Posted by medialook

I've been rushing to get pre-LCI to get the buttons. Much preffered option for me. Loving the ability of saving functions / radio stations shortcuts under 1-8 buttons is great.

You can still save the radio stations as shortchuts on LCI, if you push the controller up it brings up 8 shortchuts, actually easier than using the buttons on pre lci.