Silver buttons and dials vs black

BMW012 · 01-29-2022, 09:21 AM

Was viewing some M550i videos on YouTube and noticed these silver buttons/dials, that look great. Seems like the US M550s get black buttons and dials, correct?

I believe the 7 series in the US gets these silver buttons and dials?

BrewsterGreenM550 · 01-29-2022, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW012

Was viewing some M550i videos on YouTube and noticed these silver buttons/dials, that look great. Seems like the US M550s get black buttons and dials, correct?

I believe the 7 series in the US gets these silver buttons and dials?

The black dials are the ceramic ones which come as part of the executive package.

Some of us are waiting to see what happens with the iDrive controller which is not presently being offered with touchpad functionality due to chip shortage. Initially build sheets were showing "iDrive Controller Classic" under standard options, now mine is showing "iDrive Controller Non-Touchpad." Don't know if this means it will be black ceramic but without touchpad functionality, if it will be the non-ceramic silver, or if it will be the older knob which is much smaller in diameter. Last time I saw one of those was on my pre-LCI F30. The build tool currently shows a silver iDrive controller when exec pkg is selected, but I can't really gauge the size of it from there :/

BMW012 · 01-29-2022, 01:03 PM

So I think this is the standard in the US or how does one get silver buttons instead? Is it not possible?

BrewsterGreenM550 · 01-29-2022, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW012

So I think this is the standard in the US or how does one get silver buttons instead? Is it not possible?

Those look to me like they are the standard silver or "aluminum pearl" finish, just that the shot is kind of dark. I'm not aware of any differences for other markets, eurobros could chime in though. Attached below are better resolution examples of standard/ceramic

BrewsterGreenM550 · 01-29-2022, 02:02 PM

Oh, so sorry, I was just honed in on the dials! I've not seen a 5 series with silver buttons, definitely on the 7 though.

BMW012 · 01-29-2022, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by str8face

Oh, so sorry, I was just honed in on the dials! I've not seen a 5 series with silver buttons, definitely on the 7 though.

haha yep! that's it. Yea, I personally prefer the silver buttons.

BMW012 · 01-29-2022, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by str8face

Those look to me like they are the standard silver or "aluminum pearl" finish, just that the shot is kind of dark. I'm not aware of any differences for other markets, eurobros could chime in though. Attached below are better resolution examples of standard/ceramic

For the 2 pictures that you have provided, the bottom portions where it indicates the temperatures, how come the top pic looks like its analog and the one below has pictures and colors (digital) lol?

BrewsterGreenM550 · 01-29-2022, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW012

Quote:

Originally Posted by str8face

Oh, so sorry, I was just honed in on the dials! I've not seen a 5 series with silver buttons, definitely on the 7 though.

haha yep! that's it. Yea, I personally prefer the silver buttons.

They definitely look and feel great in the 7s I've been in. Seems like a more high-quality machined aluminum than the usual trim you see in other models which are just a plastic veneer that can peel off. Believe they do the window buttons as well. Now I'm curious too!

BrewsterGreenM550 · 01-29-2022, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW012

Quote:

Originally Posted by str8face

Those look to me like they are the standard silver or "aluminum pearl" finish, just that the shot is kind of dark. I'm not aware of any differences for other markets, eurobros could chime in though. Attached below are better resolution examples of standard/ceramic

For the 2 pictures that you have provided, the bottom portions where it indicates the temperatures, how come the top pic looks like its analog and the one below has pictures and colors (digital) lol?

I think they went full digital on the LCI models and that possibly was a part of the 4-zone climate control option in the pre-LCI

BMW012 · 01-29-2022, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by str8face

They definitely look and feel great in the 7s I've been in. Seems like a more high-quality machined aluminum than the usual trim you see in other models which are just a plastic veneer that can peel off. Believe they do the window buttons as well. Now I'm curious too!

The videos that had the silver buttons were for the Korean market.

BMW012 · 01-29-2022, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by str8face

I think they went full digital on the LCI models and that possibly was a part of the 4-zone climate control option in the pre-LCI

good to know!

BMW012 · 01-29-2022, 03:03 PM

By the way, when is yours arriving? I ordered mine in January and should receive late March/ early April. White with Cognac.

Kriz2fer · 01-29-2022, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW012

haha yep! that's it. Yea, I personally prefer the silver buttons.

They feel cheap. The ceramic dials feel super nice

BrewsterGreenM550 · 01-29-2022, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW012

By the way, when is yours arriving? I ordered mine in January and should receive late March/ early April. White with Cognac.

Expecting mine in May or early June I think is realistic. I have a week 4 production start, so, hopefully by Monday I'll see a status change and things will be moving along!

Joe-BMW33 · 01-29-2022, 07:05 PM

The silver buttons (not knobs) are standard on other BMW vehicles. I've seen people swap in controllers from other cars because they like the silver button look. This has nothing to do with ceramic controls, but ceramic controls are sweet.

I personally don't like the silver. Reminds me of a Chrysler interior.

BMW FOREVER · 01-31-2022, 12:01 AM

The silver buttons are a separate option altogether called "galvanic controls ". Don't think this option is available for the US market.

en1gma · 01-31-2022, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW FOREVER

The silver buttons are a separate option altogether called "galvanic controls ". Don't think this option is available for the US market.

This - galvanic controls.

I think they look tacky - personal opinion.

BMW012 · 02-01-2022, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kriz2fer

They feel cheap. The ceramic dials feel super nice

interesting that they are using cheaper feeling parts in the 7 series.

RonronEG · 02-01-2022, 04:11 PM

The only one I like is the metal start/stop button. Even with ceramic controls the start/stop is plastic.

Joe-BMW33 · 02-01-2022, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RonronEG

The only one I like is the metal start/stop button. Even with ceramic controls the start/stop is plastic.

I think the silver start stop button is still plastic?

Kriz2fer · 02-01-2022, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW012

interesting that they are using cheaper feeling parts in the 7 series.

No the 7 series has black ceramic knobs also.

RonronEG · 02-01-2022, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

I think the silver start stop button is still plastic?

Wow, that would be a bummer.

01-29-2022, 09:21 AM	#1
BMW012 Major 1008 Rep 1,176 Posts Drives: 2023 M550i CBM/Ivory Join Date: Nov 2021 Location: NJ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2025 X6 BG/Silverstone [0.00] 2023 M550i CBM/Ivory [0.00]	Silver buttons and dials vs black Was viewing some M550i videos on YouTube and noticed these silver buttons/dials, that look great. Seems like the US M550s get black buttons and dials, correct? I believe the 7 series in the US gets these silver buttons and dials? Attached Images
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01-29-2022, 01:03 PM	#3
BMW012 Major 1008 Rep 1,176 Posts Drives: 2023 M550i CBM/Ivory Join Date: Nov 2021 Location: NJ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2025 X6 BG/Silverstone [0.00] 2023 M550i CBM/Ivory [0.00]	So I think this is the standard in the US or how does one get silver buttons instead? Is it not possible? Attached Images Last edited by BMW012; 01-29-2022 at 01:10 PM..
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01-29-2022, 02:02 PM	#5
BrewsterGreenM550 Private First Class 264 Rep 188 Posts Drives: 2022 M550i Brewster Green Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Colorado iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 Range Rover Sp ... [0.00] 2022 BMW M550i [0.00]	Oh, so sorry, I was just honed in on the dials! I've not seen a 5 series with silver buttons, definitely on the 7 though. Attached Images
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01-29-2022, 03:03 PM	#12
BMW012 Major 1008 Rep 1,176 Posts Drives: 2023 M550i CBM/Ivory Join Date: Nov 2021 Location: NJ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2025 X6 BG/Silverstone [0.00] 2023 M550i CBM/Ivory [0.00]	By the way, when is yours arriving? I ordered mine in January and should receive late March/ early April. White with Cognac.
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01-29-2022, 07:05 PM	#15
Joe-BMW33 Major General 7338 Rep 6,749 Posts Drives: '18 M550i\|'21 X5\|'03 540i Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Boston iTrader: (1) Garage List 2013 VW Tiguan [0.00] 2015 Infiniti QX60 [0.00] 2021 BMW X5 [0.00] 2003 BMW 540i [0.00] 2018 BMW M550 [10.00]	The silver buttons (not knobs) are standard on other BMW vehicles. I've seen people swap in controllers from other cars because they like the silver button look. This has nothing to do with ceramic controls, but ceramic controls are sweet. I personally don't like the silver. Reminds me of a Chrysler interior. __________________ 2018 M550ix\|Carbon Black\|Dinan Modifications\|2003 540i\|Jet Black\|M-Sport\|2021 X5 Mineral White Prior BMW's: 1987 325e\|1993 740i\|1998 740il\|2001 530i\|2002 745li\|2007 750li\|2006 750li\|2001 530i\|2012 535xi\|
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01-31-2022, 12:01 AM	#16
BMW FOREVER First Lieutenant 164 Rep 392 Posts Drives: 2014 535i Xdrive Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	The silver buttons are a separate option altogether called "galvanic controls ". Don't think this option is available for the US market.
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02-01-2022, 04:11 PM	#19
RonronEG Lieutenant 336 Rep 471 Posts Drives: BMW 540i Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: Northern California iTrader: (0)	The only one I like is the metal start/stop button. Even with ceramic controls the start/stop is plastic.
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