[stormchaser]

Well, the overall consensus, aside from perhaps one person, is "Bring back some tactile knobs' The next question is, do we think BMW monitors the forums?
Also, why do car manufacturers think every new version of all models needs to be bigger? That the only reason, I would not look at the new G60 (Weight and size) but it happens to drive well

[NGT2]

I think the car companies envisioned we would all get more on board with the voice commands. But that’s awkward, to me. I don’t want to talk out loud in the car, I want to be silent and drive.

I had a new 7 loaner for a couple weeks. You get used to it, but I don’t prefer it. It’s also a safety issue.

I think it will be like anything else. They went hard to the extreme and between safety regs and consumer wants, it will settle back somewhere in the middle.

I like the digital instrument panel in my 2020 M550. I use it on reduced mode and it’s nice.

The biggest problem for me in BMW is how they gave no thought to dash integration on cars like the 3/4 series. They were mid chassis life and instead of redesigning the dash, they just mounted a big screen to the existing design. Looks very lazy and unsettling. Benz did a better job on their first iteration of this.

I’ve been perusing F90’s and M850/M8 GC’s for 9 months, now. One of those (probably F90) will be my next car, eventually. So, maybe by the time I’m a couple cars from now into the future, it will be a better setup.

[Oldie1]

I don't like touch screens much at all, but the BMW works so much better than my GMC truck.

Voice commands: English is my wife's second language. Her car doesn't understand her (but neither do I!)

I remember dropping F bombs to Android Auto and Apple Carplay. They shut me off just as my wife does.

It was better when we just got into cars and drove them.

More heat or air... Turn a friggen knob. Who needs or wants to dig through menus and peck at virtual buttons?!

[AP]

https://etsc.eu/cars-will-need-butto...safety-rating/

It’s encouraging but I suspect it’ll only partially address our concerns

[ab1752]

To reinforce my hell no wrt screens and lcd controls, I had to drive my old 911 today as the m550i has yet to do the walk of shame after last night's events It's been a while but hand sliders for heat, analog displays and so on underscores how far adrift the automotive industry has come, imo.

I'm on the brink of a new tacoma or new 4runner to replace our 2015 limited. After driving the non hybrid taco, I'd simply keep the 4runner we have. The trim I'd lean towards is a whopping 93k CDN plus taxes. Let that sink...a 100k + tacoma out the door with a turbo hybrid 4 banger. Yikes.

[Neusser]

Originally Posted by stormchaser

I own a 23 530I and have rented nearly every BMW, Audi, and VW in the past twenty years (World Travel). I wouldn't say I like the industry trend of screen-centric cars. Tesla might be the worst example, or perhaps the first-generation ID cars from VW. If you google the topic, it appears that car manufacturers are listening to criticism and bringing back knobs. Screen-centric vehicles are far less expensive to make. The G30 is one of the nicest cockpits of any car I own.
Regarding simplicity, my 3 VW Sport Wagons and even the 24 JETTA are the most straightforward (3 big round nobs for AC/HEAT, Blower, etc. Hyundai and Kia, I believe, also kept knobs. It is simply not safe to have to tap on two ikons or tap tap tap (Mercedes) with hepatic buttons (VW is getting rid of hepatics on the GTI). I wouldn't say I like voice commands; they take the fun and control out of driving and are slower. ECO/SPORT, Comfort should be easily accessible buttons also. DOES ANYONE AGREE OR DISAGREE? IS BMW LISTENING? If I post this on the G60 forum, I wonder how many would disagree since they own a screen-centric car, but BMW has done a better job than most! I heard Tesla wipers are on the screen, or is it the steering wheel? The EU has mandated buttons come back in 25 to fulfill NCAP safety ratings if manufacturers want a high score. I support this.

I can't stand it. I have little interest in tech in my car beyond what is useful for safety and basic convenience.

My M2 is acceptable in terms of screen real estate vs. physical buttons, but my 5er is just over the limit for me.

I've ridden in colleagues' late-model company 3 and 5ers, and I would never buy one. Sadly, like many stupid trends, there are many stupid people who will demand even more of said stupid trend until we hit a point where the pendulum swings back and some kind of balance is found.

Such is life.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by ab1752

To reinforce my hell no wrt screens and lcd controls, I had to drive my old 911 today as the m550i has yet to do the walk of shame after last night's events It's been a while but hand sliders for heat, analog displays and so on underscores how far adrift the automotive industry has come, imo.

I'm on the brink of a new tacoma or new 4runner to replace our 2015 limited. After driving the non hybrid taco, I'd simply keep the 4runner we have. The trim I'd lean towards is a whopping 93k CDN plus taxes. Let that sink...a 100k + tacoma out the door with a turbo hybrid 4 banger. Yikes.

I thought the whole point of a 2015 Toyota was that is last til 2055

[Alscoob]

Originally Posted by Chappers 71

I like a nice knob

I also prefer the ‘old skool’ dials. Am not keen on the later G3x digital dash, for me dials & gauges should be round

Agreed ! ... dislike myLCi dash with a 'C' & mirror 'C' for speed & revs, so I just set it in minimum mode so it just shows numerical speed.

[Carmody]

I am with the majority on this: I prefer knobs to touchscreens. I think the LCI G30 has one of the best implementations of the dashboard/infotainment/climate. Climate controls are very convenient, I do not need to take my eyes away from the road to adjust something. For infotainment needs I usually use the main iDrive knob. The only time I would use the touchscreen is to input a navigation destination. (My teenage daughter, however, almost exclusively uses the touchscreen when she rides with me.)

I have not tried a G60, but did rent a new 3 series with iDrive 8. Even though they saved the iDrive main knob, I did not like that implementation. I especially hated having to adjust climate settings via the touchscreen. I also did not like the mixing of driving modes with interior ambience.

If I have to nitpick at G30, it would be the shape and the non-linear scale of the speedometer and tachometer dials. I am with Chappers 71 here and prefer round dials; they should also be linear. I really like the digital dashboard implementation in the 2024 VW Jetta SEL that I bought this summer -- please see the photo below. The three-dial climate control implementation that stormchaser mentioned is also nice -- please see the second photo. I have to say, though, that the infotainment system implementation in the Jetta is not great (especially the navigation).

[stormchaser]

Originally Posted by Carmody

I am with the majority on this: I prefer knobs to touchscreens. I think the LCI G30 has one of the best implementations of the dashboard/infotainment/climate. Climate controls are very convenient, I do not need to take my eyes away from the road to adjust something. For infotainment needs I usually use the main iDrive knob. The only time I would use the touchscreen is to input a navigation destination. (My teenage daughter, however, almost exclusively uses the touchscreen when she rides with me.)

I have not tried a G60, but did rent a new 3 series with iDrive 8. Even though they saved the iDrive main knob, I did not like that implementation. I especially hated having to adjust climate settings via the touchscreen. I also did not like the mixing of driving modes with interior ambience.

If I have to nitpick at G30, it would be the shape and the non-linear scale of the speedometer and tachometer dials. I am with Chappers 71 here and prefer round dials; they should also be linear. I really like the digital dashboard implementation in the 2024 VW Jetta SEL that I bought this summer -- please see the photo below. The three-dial climate control implementation that stormchaser mentioned is also nice -- please see the second photo. I have to say, though, that the infotainment system implementation in the Jetta is not great (especially the navigation).

Agree on the Jetta! I have 3 VW Golf Wagons and the 3 knob set up is the easiest to adjust and without looking. The 3 series currently still has some buttons which is good. I am a fan of the ECO and SPORT mode buttons in plain view as I switch that in a hurry sometimes. I agree that the LCI 530 (2024) prior to the new G60 coming out had the best cabin in the industry.

[Carmody]

Originally Posted by stormchaser

Agree on the Jetta! I have 3 VW Golf Wagons and the 3 knob set up is the easiest to adjust and without looking. The 3 series currently still has some buttons which is good. I am a fan of the ECO and SPORT mode buttons in plain view as I switch that in a hurry sometimes. I agree that the LCI 530 (2024) prior to the new G60 coming out had the best cabin in the industry.

Golf Wagons! I bought a Jetta SEL, but what I really wanted was a Golf SportWagen! Btw, for the 2025 Jetta they have replaced the three-knob set-up with touch controls -- one of the reasons I pulled the trigger on the 2024 model (huge discounts on the remaining 2024 stock also helped).