[Forzanerazzurri]

Originally Posted by snareman

Having to go into menus to get to settings is a problem and more dangerous because it's more time taking your eyes off the road.

Playing on your phone while driving is dangerous and illegal, but poking a 3 foot long screen screwed to your dash to change your heat, seats, and everything else in the car is perfectly fine.

Interesting times.

[Sublime00]

I think the overall point here is that screen should be optional.

Maybe bmw will make it part of the exec pack. Only useful option in exec pack is the HUD which I'll gladly lose to not have that stupid screens and good riddance to gesture control.

[Vinnrox250]

Originally Posted by omaralt

that works. but those buttons can be set to anything and were really convenient. getting rid of them will be annoying for me

I agree, those buttons are super nice, BUT trying to be positive here, lol. The large screen you can swipe down and there are favorites - and I understand this is not as safe while in motion or convenient, but trying to make light of the new screen situation. Physical buttons are nice, I don't get why manufacturers don't get it. More parts, more $, vs integrate all into a screen I guess.

[TJR_///M3]

I didn’t think we would find a more contentious subject than carbon bucket seats or the front end design. Guess I was wrong !

I will wait until I’ve driven something with the new screen before formulating a definitive position, but I do agree with the comments that no buttons has its disadvantages. The fact that you can find buttons without taking your eyes off the road is a key one. I avoid using touch on the present screen when moving because it distracts for too long, especially with some of the tiny icons they cram on the screen.
Yes, voice control is the answer, but that can be very hit or miss.

[RPM33]

Originally Posted by Sublime00

One perk of this tablet screen sitting on top of instead of being incorporated into the dash, is that when it eventually craps out, it'll be easier to remove and replace. And I'm certain this thing will need replacing.

Only silver lining to this incoherent dash design.

Good point.

[omaralt]

Originally Posted by RPM33

Good point.

dont think its a good point. we've had big screens in bmw's since 2012. how many have needed to be replaced? i haven't heard of any major issues with screens crapping out

[NightWriter]

More salient counterpoint: When all vehicle functionality is poured into a single digital interface, the car is basically bricked when said screen craps out.

https://vehiclefreak.com/tesla-scree...oms-and-fixes/

[Sublime00]

Originally Posted by omaralt

dont think its a good point. we've had big screens in bmw's since 2012. how many have needed to be replaced? i haven't heard of any major issues with screens crapping out

Google cracked/broken navigation screens.

Certainly not saying this is a bmw specific problem, bc these screens are now ubiquitous among all auto. manufacturers, but something I'd be concerned with if I'm buying an M3 and not leasing.

TVs don't even last 7 years anymore.

[brinkmann]

^ What is this supposed to be evidence of? It's super anecdotal and some of those articles are over a decade old.

[BIGW0RM]

As much as I love technology and always having all the new bells and horns. The big screen is a huge turn off to me. I love my G80 M3. But I still do not love the front grill. This new screen moving forward takes away from the gorgeous interior they did give us.

[MassComp]

Originally Posted by brinkmann

^ What is this supposed to be evidence of? It's super anecdotal and some of those articles are over a decade old.

Exactly!

I at least would want to read about issues pertaining to the new large screens BMW is currently using in their other vehicles.

Who cares about their old screens from years ago....

[Besharaf]

Should we expect the 2023 order guides to come out next week? What's been the historical trend?

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by Sublime00

Google cracked/broken navigation screens.

Certainly not saying this is a bmw specific problem, bc these screens are now ubiquitous among all auto. manufacturers, but something I'd be concerned with if I'm buying an M3 and not leasing.

TVs don't even last 7 years anymore.

Using this method of research, you could make the same argument around literally every single component of any car ever.

Cars shouldn't have power windows because of the 15 instances of consumer complaints I found where the window actuator went bad

In regards to TVs not lasting 7 years anymore - I'm not sure what that's based off. Under normal operating conditions and barring one-off issues, how long a TV lasts is a function of how long you're viewing the TV on a daily basis.

LED TVs for example, will have a lifespan of 40,000-60,000 hours at MAXIMUM brightness. Even at the lower end of that spectrum (40,000 hours), if you watch TV 6 hours a day (which is a lot of TV watching), that's over 18 years of life.

[Sublime00]

Originally Posted by brinkmann

^ What is this supposed to be evidence of? It's super anecdotal and some of those articles are over a decade old.

This entire thread regarding preference for the screen is anecdotal.

Are you planning on posting evidence based research showing that the screen is superior to physical buttons and dials?? Or a study on a new tablet screen will somehow last longer?

According to my preference, the screen is garbage and I question it's longevity vs traditional dash design.

Putting all these screens into cars at a time where there are quality control problems in all aspects of manufacturing across the board isn't very appealing to me as a buyer.

This is the same reason some people opt to buy a later model year car once the kinks have been worked out.

Point is, it's all anecdotal, including preference and opinion. Which is the ultimate point of this forum.

[brinkmann]

You are confusing anecdotal with subjective. People present facts and legitimate evidence on the forum all the time. Your random sampling from a google search about a variety of broken screens across over a decade isn't evidence of whatever point you were trying to make (or anything, really).

Originally Posted by Sublime00

This entire thread regarding preference for the screen is anecdotal.

Are you planning on posting evidence based research showing that the screen is superior to physical buttons and dials?? Or a study on a new tablet screen will somehow last longer?

According to my preference, the screen is garbage and I question it's longevity vs traditional dash design.

Putting all these screens into cars at a time where there are quality control problems in all aspects of manufacturing across the board isn't very appealing to me as a buyer.

This is the same reason some people opt to buy a later model year car once the kinks have been worked out.

Point is, it's all anecdotal, including preference and opinion. Which is the ultimate point of this forum.

[MassComp]

Originally Posted by brinkmann

You are confusing anecdotal with subjective. People present facts and legitimate evidence on the forum all the time. Your random sampling from a google search about a variety of broken screens across over a decade isn't evidence of whatever point you were trying to make (or anything, really).

The only real evidence he has presented against the new large displays is he doesn't like nor trust them.

Easy work around....don't buy the vehicle....

[Sublime00]

Originally Posted by brinkmann

You are confusing anecdotal with subjective. People present facts and legitimate evidence on the forum all the time. Your random sampling from a google search about a variety of broken screens across over a decade isn't evidence of whatever point you were trying to make (or anything, really).

I love how some people turn every thread into a dick measuring contest.

You know what, you're right. You've completely invalidated my opinion.

Enjoy your screen. I'll keep my fingers crossed that this thing an option, that I'll gladly not choose.

And if I'm forced to choose it bc I end up buying the car, I'll be sure to create a thread and bitch about it then you can post and prove me wrong once again lol. Oh and anecdotal evidence is inherently subjective, guy. Maybe you're confusing anecdotal with empiric or maybe I don't know the difference. Either way Im cool with it.

[brinkmann]

....what?

[wtwo3]

I think what's happening here is the use of anecdotal evidence to form an opinion (or... another possibility.... the use of anecdotal evidence to confirm a pre-existing opinion).

It's totally fine to have opinions on things (I don't like screens because I don't like the design direction) simply based off personal preference. But if you're going to try and justify an opinion using anecdotal evidence, you're now merging the subjective with an attempt at objective reasoning, you're going to get called out.

[maverick618]

The difference between idrive8 and idrive7 can actually be presented objectively anyways.

How much time does it take to perform x y z function on each platform?

How far from the road are a person's eyes moving to do said function on each platform?

How much physical space on the dash does either platform occupy on the dash? How much of that space is functional?

Etc, you get my point. I would go out on a limb and guess that idrive7 is going to beat idrive8 in a lot of those actual quantifiable metrics.

[NightWriter]

Originally Posted by Sublime00

This entire thread regarding preference for the screen is anecdotal.

Are you planning on posting evidence based research showing that the screen is superior to physical buttons and dials?? Or a study on a new tablet screen will somehow last longer?

According to my preference, the screen is garbage and I question it's longevity vs traditional dash design.

Putting all these screens into cars at a time where there are quality control problems in all aspects of manufacturing across the board isn't very appealing to me as a buyer.

This is the same reason some people opt to buy a later model year car once the kinks have been worked out.

Point is, it's all anecdotal, including preference and opinion. Which is the ultimate point of this forum.

As with any element of industrial design, there are pros and cons to virtual interfaces:

+ Greater flexibility with dynamic buttonology and presented information
+ Software upgradeability
+ Greater feature density (ever increasing capabilities without making it look like a 747 cockpit)
+ Commonality across platform(s) (saves money)

- Users lack tactile feedback (require more eyeballs)
- Hierarchical menus can become cumbersome to navigate
- Perceived lack of control, intimacy, traditional cockpit feel
- Perceived over-homogenization / Teslafication across entire model line

I don't know about studies per se (though they probably do exist), but there's certainly academic literature available in defense of physical buttons, e.g.

https://builtin.com/design-ux/push-buttons
https://www.designpartners.com/why-a...a-touchscreen/

[You Drive]

Curved Screens Coming To New BMW M3 And M4
JAN 15, 2022
BY NIKESH KOOVERJEE
RUMOR
/ 4 COMMENTS
The i4's awesome iDrive 8 infotainment system could soon be added to the G8X sports cars.

One of the key features that were added to the all-electric BMW i4 was the acclaimed curved screen that houses the digital instrument cluster and infotainment system. It looks like we could soon see this iDrive 8 unit make its way to the BMW M3 and M4 when the duo are treated to their mid-cycle update.
According to information sourced by BMW Blog, it was only a matter of time until this piece of equipment filtered through into the brand's traditional models. Given that this is the brand's latest piece of information technology, it's logical to want to implement it throughout the range as soon as possible.