[DaveDBD]

Can someone with an LCI tells us if they can easily use the touchscreen for control of the HVAC, navigation and radio? I just read where many auto manufacturers are receiving feedback that customers want buttons and thus are not going to switch to touchscreens even though they save money. As well they are a safety hazard due to diverting eyes from the road to go through various screens.

[Elle BMW]

I don't have an LCI, but I drove one last week and the climate controls look pretty much the same as my I4, which has Idrive 8. You get used to it. the climate controls are easily accessible and I think you glance at the menus the same you glance at buttons once you get used to it. The radio- I have my favorite stations programed in my Idrive shortcut buttons so no worries there. Just scroll down on the screen and click a button.

[trife.]

I really think this issue is overblown. Some prefer the standard buttons, which I completely understand and tend to agree with. But the fact is that we are adaptable people, and with time we (should) do just that.

I’m not going to argue for/against the traditional layout because it really is subjective. What isn’t subjective is that it takes time to get used to change. I think folks need to give it some time to live with the new layout before dismissing it completely.

[tooloud10]

I don't have an LCI but have been DD'ing a Ford that's all touchscreen for the last two years. I absolutely hated having to dig through menus to control every last function of the car, even changing the HVAC temp.

Also, it's weird how many people seem to ignore that BMW was already utilizing the perfect solution: hard buttons that are also touch sensitive so the car can automatically display additional features as soon as you place your finger on it. The old way already minimized the buttons while still giving you full--and quick--access to all of the features of the car.

Example: a single hard button for seat heating and ventilating that automatically displays the correct screen just by lightly touching the button. Does this button exist in the LCI, or would I have to initiate seat heating from the screen?

[traron]

Originally Posted by trife.

I really think this issue is overblown. Some prefer the standard buttons, which I completely understand and tend to agree with. But the fact is that we are adaptable people, and with time we (should) do just that.

I’m not going to argue for/against the traditional layout because it really is subjective. What isn’t subjective is that it takes time to get used to change. I think folks need to give it some time to live with the new layout before dismissing it completely.

I totally agree, I have rented two cars recently a Ford and Chrysler and both had the buttons embedded in the large center screen. We were used to both in a matter of minutes. It will not be a problem for most.

[AloneAlien]

I am not sure how often you need those buttons? The climate control is getting better and better, I am rarely use something except temp up or down (and those maybe once a week or so). My wife's Volvo has the controls on screen, and I don't have any difficulty to use it when driving (mine are old-fashioned buttons). No discomfort at all, considering you may just push a button on the steering wheel and say what you want.

[DaveDBD]

Originally Posted by AloneAlien

I am not sure how often you need those buttons?

Guess it depends on the user.

My wife and I use almost every dash button in my 45e everyday. Useful having 6 station buttons plus radio button 7 set to sync or unsync HVAC, button 8 to show energy usage. With a daily low of 50F and a high in the 80s to 90s, likewise heat/cooling seats, heated steering wheel, changing vent flows depending on cold or hot, adjusting temps. I’ve never had AUTO hvac work well.

[mobsync]

The only buttons i'm really missing are the adaptive cruise gap buttons that are no longer on the left side of the steering wheel.

I was using the fan button a good bit in my 22 model but now I just leave the AC on Auto and adjust the temp to speed up or slow down the fan.

I did like the idea of the eight "favorite buttons" in previous models and had a few programmed. But I hardly ever used them.

On the other hand, it would not bother me at all if they brought them all back in the next generation either.

[AloneAlien]

Originally Posted by mobsync

The only buttons i'm really missing are the adaptive cruise gap buttons that are no longer on the left side of the steering wheel.

I was using the fan button a good bit in my 22 model but now I just leave the AC on Auto and adjust the temp to speed up or slow down the fan.

I did like the idea of the eight "favorite buttons" in previous models and had a few programmed. But I hardly ever used them.

On the other hand, it would not bother me at all if they brought them all back in the next generation either.

But they are (adaptive cruise gap on the knob)? please see LCI videos. I think it might be hard to remember 7 programmed buttons when you have more than one driver (like a wife) with a good memory I think the iDrive 8 shortcuts may be more descriptive and usable.

[mobsync]

Originally Posted by AloneAlien

But they are (adaptive cruise gap on the knob)? please see LCI videos.

Can you point me to a particular video that shows these buttons? I would love to find them instead of having to dig down several layers into the menu.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by mobsync

Can you point me to a particular video that shows these buttons? I would love to find them instead of having to dig down several layers into the menu.

Best to ignore what he posts, luckily I have him on my Ignore list and only see his nonsense when someone quotes it. The distance control buttons were removed for the LCI.

From the manual:





Previous to the LCI it was:

[AloneAlien]

Originally Posted by mobsync

Can you point me to a particular video that shows these buttons? I would love to find them instead of having to dig down several layers into the menu.

Well, you just supported what you said to ignore
Yes, buttons are available (Reduce distance / Increase distance).

[eelnoraa]

I love buttons but comparison pre-LCI vs LCI, you guys get to do a test drive to see what the iDrive8 advancement. I did one last week while taking my car in for repair, I was impressed by the OS capability: new DAP on highway speed, AR, new park assist, overall responsiveness ... Sure it isn't perfect, but I am really not sure hanging onto the HVAC buttons is a good reason to let go other improvement.

[Heavyd]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

Best to ignore what he posts, luckily I have him on my Ignore list and only see his nonsense when someone quotes it. The distance control buttons were removed for the LCI.

From the manual:

Attachment 3170100

Attachment 3170101

Previous to the LCI it was:

Attachment 3170102

Attachment 3170103

That's a shame. I used those distance buttons quite a lot depending on the traffic.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by Heavyd

That's a shame. I used those distance buttons quite a lot depending on the traffic.

Yes, I don’t think they thought that through very well. I usually have it on the smallest distance but sometimes on roads with a lower speed limit I will bump it up a bit since I don’t want the person in front to think I’m tailgating.

I have not heard it could but maybe the distance can be changed by voice control. mobsync can you try that? Maybe “increase distance control distance” or something similar. Unlikely it will work but worth a shot.

[AloneAlien]

Originally Posted by Heavyd

That's a shame. I used those distance buttons quite a lot depending on the traffic.

Well, I don't have pre-LCI car, but I can see the distance setup on the steering wheel left side (see the screenshot above). Do I miss something?

[RNorb]

Discussing the iDrive 8 interface is almost irrelevant. It will only be in X5 production for 3 or 4 months , then it will switch to iDrive 8.5 going forward. iDrive 8.5 has an all new configurable interface, the same as iDrive 9. I would guess nobody will be talking about "buttons" a year from now.

[AloneAlien]

Originally Posted by RNorb

Discussing the iDrive 8 interface is almost irrelevant. It will only be in X5 production for 3 or 4 months , then it will switch to iDrive 8.5 going forward. iDrive 8.5 has an all new configurable interface, the same as iDrive 9. I would guess nobody will be talking about "buttons" a year from now.

8.5 is just a software update, not the physical controls.

[RNorb]

Originally Posted by AloneAlien

8.5 is just a software update, not the physical controls.

Yes, but the new functionality may be as good if not better than buttons. Time will tell. At any rate the comparison should be made between iDrive 7 and iDrive 8.5, not iDrive 8.

[mobsync]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

Yes, I don’t think they thought that through very well. I usually have it on the smallest distance but sometimes on roads with a lower speed limit I will bump it up a bit since I don’t want the person in front to think I’m tailgating.

I have not heard it could but maybe the distance can be changed by voice control. mobsync can you try that? Maybe “increase distance control distance” or something similar. Unlikely it will work but worth a shot.

I'll give that a shot.

What really annoys me is if they're doing their best to get rid of buttons then why did they separate the Resume and Cancel functions into two buttons? Why not leave the Res/Cancel button alone and make the other one a distance/gap control button to toggle thru????

[mobsync]

Originally Posted by AloneAlien

Well, I don't have pre-LCI car, but I can see the distance setup on the steering wheel left side (see the screenshot above). Do I miss something?

So how do you change the gap distance in your new LCI car?

[nosnoop]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

Yes, I don’t think they thought that through very well. I usually have it on the smallest distance but sometimes on roads with a lower speed limit I will bump it up a bit since I don’t want the person in front to think I’m tailgating.

Is there a new "adaptive" distance settings?
This is in the iX, and their rationale is that using adaptive distance can reduce the use of manual distance adjustment.