Black vs. silver window switches

ashokgogs · 06-30-2021, 04:17 PM

Anyone notice that the window switches differ based on various peoples’ pictures and videos of their cars? It seems that some have aluminum looking switches while others are all black. Perhaps European vs. U.S. models?

Bimmer TiM3 · 06-30-2021, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashokgogs

Anyone notice that the window switches differ based on various peoples’ pictures and videos of their cars? It seems that some have aluminum looking switches while others are all black. Perhaps European vs. U.S. models?

All black here. Cheap as hell looking

DoubleDave · 06-30-2021, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashokgogs

Anyone notice that the window switches differ based on various peoples’ pictures and videos of their cars? It seems that some have aluminum looking switches while others are all black. Perhaps European vs. U.S. models?

I noticed it too, my fear is the Euro spec models get the aluminum buttons and the US cars are all black.

It would be nice if they were like some I’ve seen where the switch is black but edged in aluminum for durability.

Sbm007 · 06-30-2021, 05:16 PM

Its the Galvanized Window Controls option - more info here: https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1806908

Standard in the UK on the G80

ashokgogs · 06-30-2021, 05:17 PM

Annoying. Things like this never make sense to me. In today’s world, it must cost BMW more money manufacturing two separate switch sets. But then again, what must I really know. Why else would they do this other than for cost savings? Lol

luckylingy · 06-30-2021, 05:32 PM

Both black and silver switches are plastic. We consumers are conditioned to perceive the silver ones as metal. In my experience the black switches are easier to decipher, with their higher-contrast white markings.

Der_Wolf · 06-30-2021, 06:15 PM

Pics of the euro version?

ashokgogs · 06-30-2021, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Der_Wolf

Pics of the euro version?

See below.

Der_Wolf · 06-30-2021, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashokgogs

Quote:

Originally Posted by Der_Wolf

Pics of the euro version?

See below.

Oh cool. I'm happy I don't have that as I have all black interior with carbon trim. Would look worse in that color scheme. Maybe someone will make carbon window switches lol

BMdoubleUTIFUL · 06-30-2021, 08:40 PM

I would want the door lock/unlock buttons in silver to match the door handle portion

themnmd · 06-30-2021, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashokgogs

Quote:

Originally Posted by Der_Wolf

Pics of the euro version?

See below.

Those look nice! Almost 7 series like

Ruyseart · 07-01-2021, 01:13 PM

I spec'ed my new M4 order with it. Its a so cheap option here (approx. 200 eur.), and, even not being metallic, IMHO it gives the car a richer finish (just in some colour configurations tho)

PLF69 · 07-01-2021, 01:46 PM

I used them on a demo M4 and I have the black plastic in my car.

Although the Galvanized controls do feel a bit more upscale to the touch and "look" a bit more luxurious it's really something you forget about after 10min. of driving and you don't really notice you have either one after some time.

ashokgogs · 07-01-2021, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PLF69

I used them on a demo M4 and I have the black plastic in my car.

Although the Galvanized controls do feel a bit more upscale to the touch and "look" a bit more luxurious it's really something you forget about after 10min. of driving and you don't really notice you have either one after some time.

I know it's me nitpicking and you're probably right about me not caring in the end, but it just annoys me how they deem certain markets "worthy" of being offered specific options and not others. Just offer it to us. You're making them anyway, and we'll pay if we want it lol

PLF69 · 07-01-2021, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashokgogs

Quote:

Originally Posted by PLF69

I used them on a demo M4 and I have the black plastic in my car.

Although the Galvanized controls do feel a bit more upscale to the touch and "look" a bit more luxurious it's really something you forget about after 10min. of driving and you don't really notice you have either one after some time.

I know it's me nitpicking and you're probably right about me not caring in the end, but it just annoys me how they deem certain markets "worthy" of being offered specific options and not others. Just offer it to us. You're making them anyway, and we'll pay if we want it lol

I know, here in Canada we can't even option 18/19inch wheels

:

BrulSmurf · 07-01-2021, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashokgogs

Anyone notice that the window switches differ based on various peoples’ pictures and videos of their cars? It seems that some have aluminum looking switches while others are all black. Perhaps European vs. U.S. models?

Option 4U0. EUR 106,- over here. Includes seat memory buttons and radio volume button also. Looks rather nice but they forgot the dummy trim piece in the other door panel.

ashokgogs · 07-01-2021, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PLF69

I know, here in Canada we can't even option 18/19inch wheels

:

That's annoying, but to be fair, the 19/20s will look better

ashokgogs · 07-01-2021, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrulSmurf

Option 4U0. EUR 106,- over here. Includes seat memory buttons and radio volume button also. Looks rather nice but they forgot the dummy trim piece in the other door panel.

That would be a no-brainer selection for me and easy money for BMW if they just offered it to us

Ruyseart · 07-01-2021, 02:25 PM

Well, I'd prefer the US market where you can choose a 6spd MT tho, instead of silver painted buttons

BrulSmurf · 07-01-2021, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashokgogs

That would be a no-brainer selection for me and easy money for BMW if they just offered it to us

AliExpress offers a shitload of these silver trim for the G20 which fits the G8x's most of the times also. I haven't seen the window buttons yet though. Quality and fitment is surprisingly good, I speak from experience.
Here you can see the BMW's Galvanic radio button. The gloss black trim around the radio unit is silver trim from Ali that I painted myself to match the trim around the light switch. I just saw Ali offers it in gloss black now too.

modat · 07-01-2021, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrulSmurf

AliExpress offers a shitload of these silver trim for the G20 which fits the G8x's most of the times also. I haven't seen the window buttons yet though. Quality and fitment is surprisingly good, I speak from experience.
Here you can see the BMW's Galvanic radio button. The gloss black trim around the radio unit is silver trim from Ali that I painted myself to match the trim around the light switch. I just saw Ali offers it in gloss black now too.

I would never put anything from Aliexpress on my $90k Car

Nkr15 · 07-01-2021, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by modat

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrulSmurf

AliExpress offers a shitload of these silver trim for the G20 which fits the G8x's most of the times also. I haven't seen the window buttons yet though. Quality and fitment is surprisingly good, I speak from experience.
Here you can see the BMW's Galvanic radio button. The gloss black trim around the radio unit is silver trim from Ali that I painted myself to match the trim around the light switch. I just saw Ali offers it in gloss black now too.

I would never put anything from Aliexpress on my $90k Car

I put a Chinese glass protector on my stereo on my $108,000 M3, let me know when the German version is available.

06-30-2021, 04:17 PM	#1
ashokgogs Enlisted Member 25 Rep 40 Posts Drives: GLS 580, Audi S4, BMW M3, X5M Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Black vs. silver window switches Anyone notice that the window switches differ based on various peoples’ pictures and videos of their cars? It seems that some have aluminum looking switches while others are all black. Perhaps European vs. U.S. models?
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06-30-2021, 05:16 PM	#4
Sbm007 Captain 614 Rep 824 Posts Drives: G80 M3CX (Oxide Grey) Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Glasgow, UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2022 BMW G80 M3CX [0.00]	Its the Galvanized Window Controls option - more info here: https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1806908 Standard in the UK on the G80 __________________ Gone: 2011 E90 318d (Alpine White) • 2016 F83 M4 (Mineral White) • 2019 F83 M4 Competition (Sapphire Black) Current: 2022 G80 M3 Competition M xDrive (Oxide Grey) Last edited by Sbm007; 07-02-2021 at 05:16 AM..
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06-30-2021, 05:17 PM	#5
ashokgogs Enlisted Member 25 Rep 40 Posts Drives: GLS 580, Audi S4, BMW M3, X5M Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Annoying. Things like this never make sense to me. In today’s world, it must cost BMW more money manufacturing two separate switch sets. But then again, what must I really know. Why else would they do this other than for cost savings? Lol
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06-30-2021, 05:32 PM	#6
luckylingy Lieutenant Colonel 3235 Rep 1,661 Posts Drives: X3M Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Up North iTrader: (0)	Both black and silver switches are plastic. We consumers are conditioned to perceive the silver ones as metal. In my experience the black switches are easier to decipher, with their higher-contrast white markings.
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06-30-2021, 06:15 PM	#7
Der_Wolf Lieutenant 888 Rep 574 Posts Drives: 2021 G82 Comp Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Midwest iTrader: (0)	Pics of the euro version? __________________ \|2021 M4 Competition\| \|2018 M3 Competition\| \|1994 525i\| ///M
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06-30-2021, 08:40 PM	#10
BMdoubleUTIFUL Private First Class 179 Rep 144 Posts Drives: E92 Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	I would want the door lock/unlock buttons in silver to match the door handle portion
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07-01-2021, 01:13 PM	#12
Ruyseart Second Lieutenant 157 Rep 242 Posts Drives: M4 G82 xDrive Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: Spain - Europe iTrader: (0)	I spec'ed my new M4 order with it. Its a so cheap option here (approx. 200 eur.), and, even not being metallic, IMHO it gives the car a richer finish (just in some colour configurations tho) __________________ Past: G82 M4 xDrive (14 jan. 2022 to / 16 mar. 2023) Current: BMW X5 50e (Ordered 29 dec. 2023)
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07-01-2021, 01:46 PM	#13
PLF69 Colonel 3769 Rep 2,700 Posts Drives: 2023 M3 Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Quebec iTrader: (0)	I used them on a demo M4 and I have the black plastic in my car. Although the Galvanized controls do feel a bit more upscale to the touch and "look" a bit more luxurious it's really something you forget about after 10min. of driving and you don't really notice you have either one after some time. __________________ Fun/HPDE: 2023 M3 6MT Individual Malachite Past:2023 M4 CSL, 2022 M4C Vert, 2020 M340i, 2018 M2, 2015 M235i, 2008 135i 550whp Daily: 2023 X5 45e Daily/Family: 2021 Atlas Cross Sport 3.6
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07-01-2021, 02:25 PM	#19
Ruyseart Second Lieutenant 157 Rep 242 Posts Drives: M4 G82 xDrive Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: Spain - Europe iTrader: (0)	Well, I'd prefer the US market where you can choose a 6spd MT tho, instead of silver painted buttons __________________ Past: G82 M4 xDrive (14 jan. 2022 to / 16 mar. 2023) Current: BMW X5 50e (Ordered 29 dec. 2023)
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