[PR X13.5i]

This thing of eliminating physical buttons has to be the worst trend in the automotive industry. Years of human machine integration lost for some fad. Ridiculous.

[stefan]

Originally Posted by therealm3

I am not sure I get the hate for this change too. It does look odd but I have been driving an electric car (wife's ) for four years now and no shifter is not a big deal. And my limited time in auto ICE cars, I just put it in d and go.

And yes, my daily is still a manual for those who may think I don't "get it" with shifting.

This isn't personal preference. It has been proven repeatedly across multiple UX and transportation safety studies that this style of interface is bad. It requires you to look at it. What else do you need to know? IAmRoadsmart measured reaction times in a study with the NHTSA and found that using the touchscreen (Apple carplay or android auto) was equivalent or slightly worse than being at 0.08. Pretty sure we view that as a crime in most places but apparently touch screens are all good. That study was done before we removed even more functions away from tactile buttons for cost saving reasons—I mean because it's the future or whatever.

That picture of the new iDrive slab in the M4 is hysterical btw. Is it just sitting on the trim piece itself?? Lol.

[EthanEJC]

Originally Posted by Poochie

I learn something new everyday..

And iDrive 8 uses a revised version of the Comfort Access system, where key fobs are no longer necessary; it unlocks the car (automatically) and starts the engine with just the NFC in your phone.

And once again, yes, "automatic" literally means it shifts for itself, where the tachometer is there for vanity. It's serves as much purpose as a shifter lever.

I'm trying to understand your grievances but it sounds more like nitpicking, just for the sake of it.

.

You can do that in Idrive 7

Cars that are made from 2019 all had that feature.

[Poochie]

Originally Posted by EthanEJC

You can do that in Idrive 7

Cars that are made from 2019 all had that feature.

The older system required you to make close or physical contact with car, by touching the door handle or placing the phone in the charging tray.

This new one works like the key fob, your phone can remain in your pocket and it still communicates with the vehicle, to open the car or start it.

[Poochie]

Originally Posted by M3macster

I've owned 8 bmws over the years. The paddle shifters are somewhat gimmicky and for most people definitely. Not for the M3 for me though. I've had 2 manual M3's and 1 DCT. The DCT paddles were an absolute necessity for me. I used them all the time, especially driving in mountain roads. I also like them in my 4 cylinder 430 convertible - I think the 295 ft-lb of torque makes it fun to decide when I want the transmission to shift. And as much hate as the 4cyl gets, I actually surprisingly like it. Part of it is nostalgia from the good ol' days, part is being able to get to and manage the limits and having to work harder to go fast, and part of it is the lower weight and better balance. This car has more power than my higher level trim, 6 cylinder had in the 2003 and 2005 330i. It's fairly quick by relative terms. I have the M sport suspension and package which makes the car tight and sticky and handle well. So I do think an argument could be made that for some models and/or for some types of drivers, the paddles and the shifter make total sense. If you want to get rid of them, buy a Mercedes (oh wait…my GL450 family SUV had em too… ok buy a Honda minivan - oh wait that had them too!)

I agree with you on this.

A DCT works by using two clutches, both working in tandem but computer controlled, so there's no need for a clutch pedal. A computers eliminate the need for the driver to manually change gears and the entire process is automated. So you basically get the grunt of manual gear change, with all the fanfare but just some of the work is handled by the computer. It's the closest thing to a manual transmission but you still lose some of that control you get from a clutch pedal modulation.

ZF8 is a completely different setup, where everything is automated and the feel of gear changes are blunted by a torque converter. The 'manual' gear change override is purely artificial and not necessary for normal operational function but purely added for the driver's visceral pleasure - the definition of a gimmick. There was time in the earlier version of BMW ZF8 where they artificially added "gear bangs" where it would feel like one gear was slamming into the other - or the transmission mounts were all broken. It was quite amusing they went that hard to mimic the feel of a DCT, probably the expense of the transmission or motor mounts premature wear.

DCT is ok but at this point, unless it's a supercar like an Audi R8, Lamborghini Huracan or a Ferrari where a manual option went the way of the Dodo bird, I can't really see the point or the need for paddle shifters or a shift lever. Just put it in drive and let it be.

[PeterWT]

So, how do you 'shift' (change) between Drive and Sport without a shift lever?
I do that all the time. I hope that hasn't been moved to a touchscreen menu.

[Poochie]

Originally Posted by PeterWT

So, how do you 'shift' (change) between Drive and Sport without a shift lever?
I do that all the time. I hope that hasn't been moved to a touchscreen menu.

There is a dedicated "Sport" in the center console.


.

[PeterWT]

Originally Posted by Poochie

There is a dedicated "Sport" in the center console.


.

That is for the engine/suspension programs, not the transmission program. The D and S on the shifter independently controls the transmission program, e.g. shift points.

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by PeterWT

That is for the engine/suspension programs, not the transmission program. The D and S on the shifter independently controls the transmission program, e.g. shift points.

You mean automated sport shifting - good question!!

[earthie1]

Originally Posted by PeterWT

That is for the engine/suspension programs, not the transmission program. The D and S on the shifter independently controls the transmission program, e.g. shift points.

Originally Posted by PeterWT

That is for the engine/suspension programs, not the transmission program. The D and S on the shifter independently controls the transmission program, e.g. shift points.

I believe that the new gear shifter, you would have to pull down the gear shifter again from D to get to D/S

[tubingchamp]

Originally Posted by earthie1

I believe that the new gear shifter, you would have to pull down the gear shifter again from D to get to D/S

Yep, that's how Audi does it.

I'm kind of torn - I like just tapping the shifter to the left for twisties, then I can just pop it back over to the right when I'm done with the spirited driving...

I'm sure it's something you'd quickly get used to.. Just pull down, then pull down again when done.

I'm a bit surprised that they would be doing an LCI this fast......... Was hoping it would be atleast 2-3 years.

[Poochie]

Originally Posted by earthie1

I believe that the new gear shifter, you would have to pull down the gear shifter again from D to get to D/S

Yea probably, I didn't get a chance to play with it yet so I can't say for sure if you're correct but this is more likely the the case.

[Poochie]

Originally Posted by PeterWT

That is for the engine/suspension programs, not the transmission program. The D and S on the shifter independently controls the transmission program, e.g. shift points.

I guess you can't have it your way anymore but however it was now changed to, I'm sure it will still be intuitive or maybe even better.

At least they still left the paddles as is.

[therealm3]

Originally Posted by stefan

This isn't personal preference. It has been proven repeatedly across multiple UX and transportation safety studies that this style of interface is bad. It requires you to look at it. What else do you need to know? IAmRoadsmart measured reaction times in a study with the NHTSA and found that using the touchscreen (Apple carplay or android auto) was equivalent or slightly worse than being at 0.08. Pretty sure we view that as a crime in most places but apparently touch screens are all good. That study was done before we removed even more functions away from tactile buttons for cost saving reasons—I mean because it's the future or whatever.

That picture of the new iDrive slab in the M4 is hysterical btw. Is it just sitting on the trim piece itself?? Lol.

I was talking about the shifter. Not the touch screen.

[PeterWT]

Originally Posted by Poochie

I guess you can't have it your way anymore but however it was now changed to, I'm sure it will still be intuitive or maybe even better.

At least they still left the paddles as is.

That's not a consolation prize for me. I rarely use the paddles. I use the shifter multiple times on every drive to switch between D & S and I also rest my hand there.

[Poochie]

Originally Posted by PeterWT

That's not a consolation prize for me. I rarely use the paddles. I use the shifter multiple times on every drive to switch between D & S and I also rest my hand there.

You could always leave it D and just drive it like an automatic, by keeping both hands on the steering wheel, just as God intended..

The shift lever is gone and nothing is going to change that fact. Especially since I have on good authority that the next version of the 2 Series is going to be all electric.

BMW and every manufacturer changes the design of the product over time. There are a list of grievances I could bitch about, on a dozen different of products that have changed over my lifetime which I didn't appreciate but such is life.

Like for instance, BMW removed manual option on the standard 2 Series and also rewired the US-spec taillights making it difficult to swap it with the Euro version, unlike the previous generation. But at this point, it's counter-productive to keep dwelling on it. So it's better to adapt to the change and make the best of what they have to offer - or not - by moving towards another brand with a shift lever.

[Lenny33]

Bam!😁

[PeterWT]

Originally Posted by Poochie

You could always leave it D and just drive it like an automatic, by keeping both hands on the steering wheel, just as God intended..

The shift lever is gone and nothing is going to change that fact. Especially since I have on good authority that the next version of the 2 Series is going to be all electric.

BMW and every manufacturer changes the design of the product over time. There are a list of grievances I could bitch about, on a dozen different of products that have changed over my lifetime which I didn't appreciate but such is life.

Like for instance, BMW removed manual option on the standard 2 Series and also rewired the US-spec taillights making it difficult to swap it with the Euro version, unlike the previous generation. But at this point, it's counter-productive to keep dwelling on it. So it's better to adapt to the change and make the best of what they have to offer - or not - by moving towards another brand with a shift lever.

Saying "...it's better to adapt to the change and make the best of what they have to offer..." is contrary to the purpose of a forum, which is to discuss and yes, sometimes b1tch about, the subject matter; in this case BMW vehicles.

And, if I believed there was a god, I'm pretty sure that it wouldn't dictate how many hands I should keep on a steering wheel at any given time, or if/when I should use the various shift programs available on a transmission.

[Thundernight]

Once I learn how the new shifter works, I can get used to it. I am sure you will be able to tune the transmission/engine modes in sport individual anyways. So although traditional and intuitive, the physical shifter is not a necessity.

Also, not a fan of the aluminum rhombicle interior trim. At this price point, carbon fiber should be an option. Like it is on the X3 M40i.

[Cadillac]

Originally Posted by PeterWT

That's not a consolation prize for me. I rarely use the paddles. I use the shifter multiple times on every drive to switch between D & S and I also rest my hand there.

OK, I drive an M2 having had both the original and now the Comp for a total of almost 5 years.
I only drive in Manual (Never Auto) with the shifter, never the paddles and I am sure others do the same.
In between I rest my left hand on the shifter (Australia). I know…I know…I should have both hands on the wheel… but this is Australia where driving is at a minimal speed.
For the first time last week I used WAZE navigation via Apple Car Play and a number of times had to use the touch screen…doing this at 100kmh on a horrible one lane each way Australian road it was almost impossible as the bumps made my hand miss the spot I needed.
Then the next day all I could see was finger prints all over the screen
No way for me these screens are a distraction from focusing on driving.

[mattebe]

For those in UK/Germany who tracked this before and after the model year change…how much did you see the price inflate for the new model year?

[8800GT]

Originally Posted by mattebe

For those in UK/Germany who tracked this before and after the model year change…how much did you see the price inflate for the new model year?

Depends on your config. Mine became 250€ more expensive (64000€ vs 64250€). Overall it´s about the same now But discount decreased a bit (by 2-3% I´d guess).