[Keng163]

Does anyone have thoughts or data on whether a few hard buttons might get added back to the dashboard display for ‘26?
While I’ve come to grips with ordering new- I’m on the fence about the ‘25 M60i and lack of hard buttons on the dash.
Lots of folks complaining- not sure that it will result in BMW rethinking dash layout and design- for ‘26. No need waiting if it isn’t going to get better or change.
If it stays as is in ‘26 as it is in ‘25 I’ll move forward and buy one now. But dang it - functions like temp- Seat heaters - steering wheel heat- etc are a safety and complexity hassle with touch screen only. Just don’t know how much whining customers are giving BMW and do they care enough to change it.
Porsche did an innovative design on the new Cayenne. Adding some hard buttons.

[Heavyd]

I really don’t need that crap anymore
I like OS 8.5, the clean and tight look. I can operate everything easily and even without crashing the car.

[Drbob20]

I know the button thing is an opinion, I've had my X5 for just over 2 months now and changing the temperature is literally one click, maybe two if you need to jump 2d, it's literally a non discussion, which is kinda funny because we're discussing. Heated wheel is 2 clicks, takes less than 2 seconds. I've driven just over 1600 miles and my safety from not having physical buttons has not once been in jeopardy. Often I may change the temp 1d here or there, which again is a single click. I read a comment on a previous post, something to the effect that one couldn't imagine driving on a bumpy road having to touch the screen to change the temp, I chuckled. Really though, I'd recommend taking one for a spin and trying it out. After a few miles of driving you won't even remember you had buttons at one point. Just my $.02

[Daedalus0101101]

I'm torn on that myself. I am happy now that I have my pre LCI that has the buttons. I find it a bit ironic how they essentially have told people for years "Stay off your phone and drive" "Don't text and Drive" and now essentially the whole car is controlled through a big touch screen "phone". For BMW at least.

[Oldgixxer]

I'm not a fan of ID 8 either,maybe with more seat time I'll change my mind.

[Heavyd]

Originally Posted by Drbob20

I know the button thing is an opinion, I've had my X5 for just over 2 months now and changing the temperature is literally one click, maybe two if you need to jump 2d, it's literally a non discussion, which is kinda funny because we're discussing. Heated wheel is 2 clicks, takes less than 2 seconds. I've driven just over 1600 miles and my safety from not having physical buttons has not once been in jeopardy. Often I may change the temp 1d here or there, which again is a single click. I read a comment on a previous post, something to the effect that one couldn't imagine driving on a bumpy road having to touch the screen to change the temp, I chuckled. Really though, I'd recommend taking one for a spin and trying it out. After a few miles of driving you won't even remember you had buttons at one point. Just my $.02

I totally agree. I’m driving a 50e since August and haven’t missed a pyhiscal button for 1 second. I really wouldn’t go back.

[Kgerry59]

I'm not a fan of the LCI look and was glad to get an order in in Feb 2023 for a '23 model.

[LuckyBrand]

I watched a video from Autogefuhl recently. He's a German YouTuber. He said that BMW collected a survey and also tracks button usage etc and that BMW found that the percentages favored people liking buttons. But China looks at buttons as old outdated technology. Since BMW doesn't want to have 2 different layouts it sounds like they are catering to China. Hence here we are.

He did say that the VW group is planning on adding some buttons back into some of their products due to costumer demands.

[BlkGS]

It's a cost reduction, they're not gonna add them back unless there's a big hit to sales, that they can directly trace back to "no buttons".

[LDT]

Not a chance.

[aaaaaaaaaz]

Not possible for MY26 ones.

They are supposed to have new generation X5 G65 starting MY27. It is supposed to switch to the new interface BMW Panoramic Vision similar to the vision Neue Klasse. I hope they can add those back, but I would bet not.

https://bmwi.bimmerpost.com/forums/s....php?t=2091308

[aussieintexas]

Originally Posted by Heavyd

I really don’t need that crap anymore
I like OS 8.5, the clean and tight look. I can operate everything easily and even without crashing the car.

Agree. I have no issues with the buttons or lack of and we have a pre LCI and an LCI. I early like 8.5 as well.
Little things but I love how it integrates with my calendar and always has my location based on the calendar pop up ready to click on and go.

[aussieintexas]

Originally Posted by Drbob20

I know the button thing is an opinion, I've had my X5 for just over 2 months now and changing the temperature is literally one click, maybe two if you need to jump 2d, it's literally a non discussion, which is kinda funny because we're discussing. Heated wheel is 2 clicks, takes less than 2 seconds. I've driven just over 1600 miles and my safety from not having physical buttons has not once been in jeopardy. Often I may change the temp 1d here or there, which again is a single click. I read a comment on a previous post, something to the effect that one couldn't imagine driving on a bumpy road having to touch the screen to change the temp, I chuckled. Really though, I'd recommend taking one for a spin and trying it out. After a few miles of driving you won't even remember you had buttons at one point. Just my $.02

And most thing you can do with the idrive as well - high I like. 👍

[Heavyd]

Originally Posted by LuckyBrand

I watched a video from Autogefuhl recently. He's a German YouTuber. He said that BMW collected a survey and also tracks button usage etc and that BMW found that the percentages favored people liking buttons. But China looks at buttons as old outdated technology. Since BMW doesn't want to have 2 different layouts it sounds like they are catering to China. Hence here we are.

He did say that the VW group is planning on adding some buttons back into some of their products due to costumer demands.

Yes, those modern chinamen, if not whole Asia, are more tech savvy as those old dinosaurs in the US an EU that will be extinct in a few generations
It are upcoming markets, we are on the way back.

[Keng163]

Geesh
I sure don’t want to miss the S63 engine so who knows how much longer that will last. I struggle as I have a 2014 X5 with the turbo diesel and it’s such a great engine and vehicle. I bought it new and loaded. There isn’t anything wrong with it - other than I’m bored. It gets 720 miles of range and it pulls strong - like a weak V8. And get 30mpg. I hate only getting $12k for it. It’s in mint shape. The M60i is gonna cost me $109k. I got a whopping $1k discount! Seriously. I hate these NY bmw dealerships.

[BMPHIL]

No chance until next model in 2027 but they will have to add some buttons back in EU/UK or they won't get the full safety rating off the governing bodies and that woulde hurt them.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by Keng163

Geesh
I sure don’t want to miss the S63 engine so who knows how much longer that will last. I struggle as I have a 2014 X5 with the turbo diesel and it’s such a great engine and vehicle. I bought it new and loaded. There isn’t anything wrong with it - other than I’m bored. It gets 720 miles of range and it pulls strong - like a weak V8. And get 30mpg. I hate only getting $12k for it. It’s in mint shape. The M60i is gonna cost me $109k. I got a whopping $1k discount! Seriously. I hate these NY bmw dealerships.

In all likelihood it will be gone from the X5 after MY26. With the G65 the M60e hybrid will be the top model.

[aaaaaaaaaz]

Originally Posted by BMPHIL

No chance until next model in 2027 but they will have to add some buttons back in EU/UK or they won't get the full safety rating off the governing bodies and that woulde hurt them.

No, those are for critical controls such as turning signals (can’t imagine anyone put that on screen) and wipers.

It would be hard to argue AC, music, etc are “critical control” in front of the big G

[aaaaaaaaaz]

Originally Posted by aussieintexas

Agree. I have no issues with the buttons or lack of and we have a pre LCI and an LCI. I early like 8.5 as well.
Little things but I love how it integrates with my calendar and always has my location based on the calendar pop up ready to click on and go.

I’d love to have physical buttons for the AC controls, even if it is $200 extra i would definitely take it. But to be fair, I counted the instances I have to mess with the temperature settings and it is very rare.

[SteVTEC]

Zero chance having just updated the tooling, but I'm guessing they'll hedge their bets a bit and throw some back in on the G05's successor.

[SteVTEC]

Originally Posted by LuckyBrand

I watched a video from Autogefuhl recently. He's a German YouTuber. He said that BMW collected a survey and also tracks button usage etc and that BMW found that the percentages favored people liking buttons. But China looks at buttons as old outdated technology. Since BMW doesn't want to have 2 different layouts it sounds like they are catering to China. Hence here we are.

He did say that the VW group is planning on adding some buttons back into some of their products due to costumer demands.

Not surprising. Might be old stats, but 5-10 years ago BMW was selling more cars in the Asian markets than in North America and Europe combined, hence catering to those markets. I doubt much has changed. That was BMW's explanation for the lazy, disconnected, isolated feel of the F10/15/30 gen cars. The pendulum swings though and the G-series cars are much better drivers so far.

Voted with our wallets on our CPO MY22, although it was more about lack of good color options and issues the LCI were having, than lack of buttons. Still, BMW is "missing" a sale that went to a CPO instead, so maybe they'll notice.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by aaaaaaaaaz

No, those are for critical controls such as turning signals (can’t imagine anyone put that on screen) and wipers.

It would be hard to argue AC, music, etc are “critical control” in front of the big G

There has been talk of the NHTSA changing some regulations in order to get more physical buttons back. It wouldn't have to do with how critical the function is but how long it takes to enable it.