[buze]

I received my new G05 2 days ago, to replace a fairly loaded MY19. Well did knew some bits were missing due to 'part shortage' -- we also knew they replaced the leather with that synthetic thing.

What I didn't know, and immediately noticed was that the steering wheel was also coated in plastic. I was disappointed of course.

Over the last two days *something* was nagging at me, something was different.
Well I found it: the door handles on the inside are no longer aluminium. They are plastic!

Not only that, but the shift paddles are also plastic now, and a really cheap plastic as that. Absolutely dreadful feeling.

There is no 'part shortage' problem here, this is really trying to save pennies on something that actually made a BMW feel 'premium' -- and this is not a 3 series we are talking about, technically, this car is *just* one short of the top of the range after all.

[eelnoraa]

Hmm, i think the steering is still leather wrapped. For interior door latch, I feel mine is metal, cold to touch, but let me double check.

For shift knob? What was in MY19? Are you referring to the glass knob? If so, it is part of exec package.

[buze]

Originally Posted by eelnoraa

Hmm, i think the steering is still leather wrapped. For interior door latch, I feel mine is metal, cold to touch, but let me double check.

For shift knob? What was in MY19? Are you referring to the glass knob? If so, it is part of exec package.

The shifting paddles on the steering wheel.

My door handle are definitely plastic, ie, not cold to the touch... They are some sort of resin that looks vaguely like aluminium.

[eelnoraa]

I see. My22, the shift paddles behind steering are definitely plastic here too. So they were once aluminum?? I need to find myself a MY19 and see the inside. 😅

[Chas8283]

Originally Posted by eelnoraa

I see. My22, the shift paddles behind steering are definitely plastic here too. So they were once aluminum?? I need to find myself a MY19 and see the inside. 😅

MY '19 also plastic.

[viperdoc]

I have a 21 45e and a 23 45e (and a 21 X7). The Interiors appear identical from a materials standpoint from what I recall in my everyday use of the vehicles. Maybe I need to really look at them when I get home...

[viperdoc]

I don't think the handles would change, but for the steering wheel, does it matter M sport vs non-M sport?

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by viperdoc

I don't think the handles would change, but for the steering wheel, does it matter M sport vs non-M sport?

Both should be leather.

[eelnoraa]

MY22 m sport steering has plastic paddle. First bmw in my collection with paddle shifter. I don’t have A good comparison

[P1]

The leather steering wheel on my F15 was leather and it started wearing horribly. Looked trashed after a few years. I don't care what the material is. As long as it doesn't wear like what they used previously, I'm good with it.

I went from Nappa leather in the F15 to plastic seats in the G05. No problems so far and I think it looks/feels quite nice.

[robg]

Automakers do periodically try and cut costs by using cheaper materials in places they think the customer won't notice; even on cars already in production.

But, having plastic shifters just seems very short-sighted; those are something (along w/ the steering wheel) that you'll feel often and it affects the overal perception of quality. Same goes with the interior door handles. Just weird that BMW (who are typically so detail oriented) have chosen to cheap out in these areas...

I currently drive a Range Rover Sport (waiting for my x5 order) and recently took it in for an oil change. As usual they gave me a Discovery sport loaner (which is maybe a 45k car). In the past I didn't have a very good impression of this model, but on this recent one I noticed that they'd switched to using solid aluminum shift paddles that had a really nice action to them. Seems almost unncessary on this type of car but it definitely lifted my overall perception. They were actually better than anything I've tried in most German cars other than Porsche. Same thing goes for the interior door handles- they felt like they were solid metal (cold to touch) and again it lifted the overall perception.

(I know someone here is going to say "go buy a discovery sport then"...there are other things I dislike about it such as the engine/transmission combo...but am just using it as an example to make a point)

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by robg

But, having plastic shifters just seems very short-sighted; those are something (along w/ the steering wheel) that you'll feel often and it affects the overal perception of quality. Same goes with the interior door handles; they felt like they were solid metal and again it lifted the overall perception. Just weird that BMW (who are typically so detail oriented) have chosen to cheap out in these areas...

Thankfully the shifters don't look cheap at all. This morning when I was out I checked mine because of this thread and found that they were metal. When I saw someone post that the 19's were plastic I went out and checked again. Took quite awhile but I guess I can agree they are plastic but tough to tell.

[robg]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

Thankfully the shifters don't look cheap at all. This morning when I was out I checked mine because of this thread and found that they were metal. When I saw someone post that the 19's were plastic I went out and checked again. Took quite awhile but I guess I can agree they are plastic.

Yeah its weird- From what i remember on my test drive, they coat the front of them w/ some type of metallic paint to make them look metal but the back is plastic. Almost makes it worse because it sets your expectation that they are going to feel like metal not plastic.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by robg

Yeah its weird- From what i remember on my test drive, they coat the front of them w/ some type of metallic paint to make them look metal but the back is plastic. Almost makes it worse because it sets your expectation that they are going to feel like metal not plastic.

The back of mine feel like rubber so maybe they changed or the plastic got a rubberized texture. Until today I always thought they were aluminum with a rubber backing.

[robg]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

The back of mine feel like rubber so maybe they changed or the plastic got a rubberized texture. Until today I always thought they were aluminum with a rubber backing.

Ah ok...its possible. I'm just trying to remember my impressions from a test drive so I'm sure your assessment is more accurate. Its also possible that they cost cut the paddles at some point...hopefully I'll find out for myself soon!

[eelnoraa]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

Thankfully the shifters don't look cheap at all. This morning when I was out I checked mine because of this thread and found that they were metal. When I saw someone post that the 19's were plastic I went out and checked again. Took quite awhile but I guess I can agree they are plastic but tough to tell.

I am with you on this. I don’t think the shift paddles look or feel cheap at all. Could metal make it better, sure. But existing ones are not bad at all.

Inside door latch handles, I still cannot tell if it is plastic or Al. Feel very cold to touch, feel and sound like metal when tapping with finger nail.

[jiggie]

Sometimes I think folks get too hooked/upset over the weirdest things... Whether its Metal or Plastic, Leather or Synthetic Leather, as long as its built well, lasts and looks good, as well as serves its function.

Some folks get so bent out of shape over the new Seansafin without ever seeing or touching it. Having owned both Vernesca and the new Sensafin, I would take the Sensafin over it every time.

[wufpak]

A lot of these parts are aluminized ABS or some other plastic. Plating thickness could potentially affect what the material is perceived to be. I was a materials engineer at another automaker and I can say these things didn't fail often, at least under warranty. I only ever saw one fractured door handle, and after doing some testing (hardness, electron microscopy) everything was in spec with it, so I'd guess the customer just yanked it too hard.

Anyway, there's a good chance all these parts have actually been made of plastic for awhile, there's just been enough aluminum on top that they don't feel like it.

[scungilio]

KIA-fication, that is hillarious.

[LOFT]

Again, being an outlier who grew up with a clutch and four-on-the-floor, I've never used or even checked my paddles. My hand just rests on the gear shift, which will likely be gone in subsequent MY's.

[scungilio]

Originally Posted by LOFT

Again, being an outlier who grew up with a clutch and four-on-the-floor, I've never used or even checked my paddles. My hand just rests on the gear shift, which will likely be gone in subsequent MY's.

Exactly, those little paddles remind me of a damn video game, not into shifting with the tap of a pinky finger. The transmissions in these late model vehicles are fabulous and better than we are.

[Marty in NY]

Originally Posted by LOFT

Again, being an outlier who grew up with a clutch and four-on-the-floor, I've never used or even checked my paddles. My hand just rests on the gear shift, which will likely be gone in subsequent MY's.

I never understood paddle shifters in an automatic consumer car. I've had them in several cars over the years, never used them, I can't see a reason to. Its an automatic after all.