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      04-14-2021, 08:16 PM   #1
HanSooloo
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Question Why did the audio controls switch from left to right on steering wheel?

Coming from an E46 M3, I noticed that the volume controls on the steering wheel have switched from the left to the right.

Not a huge deal, but definitely throws off muscle memory.

I would have thought, BMW would have kept the basic design principles the same and not change it for the sake of changing it.

So, the natural follow up to that question is, what was the reason for the change?
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      04-15-2021, 01:24 AM   #2
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It started last generation when BMW introduced a brand new steering wheel.

The majority of non-BMW cars I drive (I rent a lot for work travel) have volume buttons on the right side. The volume button is probably the most engaged button on the steering wheel. From a pure usability standpoint it would make sense that they map it to buttons accessible to the dominant hand (most people are righties).
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      04-17-2021, 12:32 PM   #3
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Frustrating thing on BMWs as of late. Your right hand should be on the shifter and left hand usually resting on armrest driving steering wheel makes the most sense for audio controls to be easily manipulated with the left hand.
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      04-17-2021, 12:45 PM   #4
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As an aside, does anyone miss the cruise control controls on the short nubby stalk as much as I do? In my opinion it was way more intuitive to push/pull/tap the lever than it is to find the buttons on the steering wheel. Just felt better/more mechanical too somehow. My wife's Merc GLC 43 still has the dedicated cruise control stalk and I think it's way superior.
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      06-28-2021, 02:13 AM   #5
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One of the many things that BMW had right (until unfortunate switch).
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      06-29-2021, 11:57 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rgrovr View Post
Frustrating thing on BMWs as of late. Your right hand should be on the shifter and left hand usually resting on armrest driving steering wheel makes the most sense for audio controls to be easily manipulated with the left hand.
Yes but the overwhelming majority of cars sold are automatic, so the idea that its on the right side makes most sense. Most people are right handed and most vehicles sold are automatic. In any case, it doesn't seem like a big deal either way.
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      06-29-2021, 12:40 PM   #7
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Hey at least we've moved past complaining about the grille, or the transmission, and moved on to where the audio controls are. Progress!
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      06-29-2021, 10:51 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Der_Wolf View Post
Yes but the overwhelming majority of cars sold are automatic, so the idea that its on the right side makes most sense. Most people are right handed and most vehicles sold are automatic. In any case, it doesn't seem like a big deal either way.
I have right hand on IDrive controller and left on wheel, so makes sense (to me) to put audio on left. On right, hand is so close to center knob, so does not make sense to me to have volume on the right. Maybe BMW thought users need to tweak driver assist functions (left) more than media (right).
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      07-02-2021, 03:24 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Almaretto View Post
I have right hand on IDrive controller and left on wheel, so makes sense (to me) to put audio on left. On right, hand is so close to center knob, so does not make sense to me to have volume on the right. Maybe BMW thought users need to tweak driver assist functions (left) more than media (right).
Yeah, but for some of us, it's left hand on the steering wheel, right hand on the stick changing gears and accidentally skipping to the next song with Gesture Control at the same time.

Which is terrible...I was really enjoying that song...
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      07-11-2021, 01:55 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bri1042 View Post
Yeah, but for some of us, it's left hand on the steering wheel, right hand on the stick changing gears and accidentally skipping to the next song with Gesture Control at the same time.

Which is terrible...I was really enjoying that song...
So we agree. No valid reason for the change. It is a case of screwing up something good.
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