Topic: 2023 BMW 3 Series facelift.

[Blueprint]

The interior - dash, console is horrible. With this design, the 3er is dead for me....

That's the IP from the i4 - guess there are simplifying manufacturing.

[OliverD]

Same general layout as the '23 X7 and 7-series too.

[Jaeger]

The interior - dash, console is horrible. With this design, the 3er is dead for me....

Yup.  Before the this re-design, one of the car's strengths was that the infotainment and HVAC controls were relatively simple (for a premium car) and usability was great.  If you've driven a BMW before, you'd be right at home.  This is moving in the wrong direction.

Giant bank of screens is a growing industry trend. I blame the EVs, as that seems to be where it took root. I'm not a fan. 

[valuator]

The interior - dash, console is horrible. With this design, the 3er is dead for me....

Yup.  Before the this re-design, one of the car's strengths was that the infotainment and HVAC controls were relatively simple (for a premium car) and usability was great.  If you've driven a BMW before, you'd be right at home.  This is moving in the wrong direction.

Giant bank of screens is a growing industry trend. I blame the EVs, as that seems to be where it took root. I'm not a fan.

Agreed.  I really think this is a solution in search of a problem.  It can't possibly be cheaper to manufacture, and it strikes me, like you say, as manufacturers chasing trends.  NOBODY likes this.  I watch a lot of Youtube review channels (savagegeese, EverydayDriver, etc), and I have yet to see any praise for these interfaces.  In fact, quite the opposite.

[OliverD]

Screens are definitely cheaper than mechanical switches, dials, and instruments.

[valuator]

Screens are definitely cheaper than mechanical switches, dials, and instruments.

Well that's unfortunate 

[OliverD]

Agreed. I don't mind having a large infotainment screen but I'd much rather have mechanical instruments and actual buttons for the essential controls like HVAC and volume.

[valuator]

Agreed. I don't mind having a large infotainment screen but I'd much rather have mechanical instruments and actual buttons for the essential controls like HVAC and volume.

Sounds like we'll both be happy driving our automotive dinosaurs for a while 

[Jaeger]

Agreed. I don't mind having a large infotainment screen but I'd much rather have mechanical instruments and actual buttons for the essential controls like HVAC and volume.

Sounds like we'll both be happy driving our automotive dinosaurs for a while 

At least give us analog inputs for for the most frequently used functions, even if those are displayed on a screen. Dealing with multiple menus just to turn on heated seats is just every kind of wrong.

[valuator]

Agreed. I don't mind having a large infotainment screen but I'd much rather have mechanical instruments and actual buttons for the essential controls like HVAC and volume.

Sounds like we'll both be happy driving our automotive dinosaurs for a while 

At least give us analog inputs for for the most frequently used functions, even if those are displayed on a screen. Dealing with multiple menus just to turn on heated seats is just every kind of wrong.

I'll be honest, I struggle with the Pilot's touch screen.  I basically don't touch it when driving.  I can't imagine feeling like I can't safely adjust anything at all unless I pull over and stop the car....

[PJungnitsch]

It would be nice if those screens have iPad level reliability and replacement cost, but I'm guessing not

[Ontariodriver]

Screens are definitely cheaper than mechanical switches, dials, and instruments.

Also there isn't much online security, and how long will they the car industry continue, to support and update these cars going forward. I'd hate to think how much these new screen cost, if this stops working outside the warranty. BMW charges a lot. I found out the hard way when the mirror got knock off, when I used to street park in the UK. It's was close 250 bucks. that was late 90's

[Arthur Dent]

Nevermind if you buy an "off brand" car the cost could be huge or NLA. I still look the analog look gauges even if they are digital behind the scenes.

[Dante]

Agreed. I don't mind having a large infotainment screen but I'd much rather have mechanical instruments and actual buttons for the essential controls like HVAC and volume.

Sounds like we'll both be happy driving our automotive dinosaurs for a while 

Count me in too. Will probably drive my dinosaurs with  needles, buttons, gear sticks, handbrake and small or no screens for a looong time....

[rrocket]

Having used the giant screen on my Prius, I don't mind it!

Of course there are separate buttons for volume, heat up/down, etc

But at this point, I don't really mind it...even though it's probably less aesthetically pleasing than it could be.

The ONE thing that annoys me is that despite the HUGE screen, the reverse camera takes up only half the screen instead of filling the whole thing.

[JohnnyMac]

There has just always been something about pushing buttons, turning knobs, or flipping switches that have always appealed and been satisfying.  So much so that premium vehicles always attempted to give all those things extra attention and budget.

My Civic Si had the nicest dials that I have ever used.  Similar to using the rotating bezel on a very nice dive watch.  Screens are great for displaying information but are crappy for controlling the things you use the most.

I think it was Bugatti that designed their interiors to be exceptional now and 50 years from now.  I don’t see many modern vehicles having interiors that age especially well.

[Ontariodriver]

The ONE thing that annoys me is that despite the HUGE screen, the reverse camera takes up only half the screen instead of filling the whole thing.

It is because it is a horizontal camera, you can't fit that on vertical screen. That is why, nothing can be done annoying as it is, think of it as a quirk. 

[Jaeger]

Screens are great for displaying information but are crappy for controlling the things you use the most.

 

[sailor723]

Screens are great for displaying information but are crappy for controlling the things you use the most.

 

Me too.   One thing I loved about Mercedes back in the 80's/90's was the quality feel of all the dash controls. Everything felt solid and moved precisely.

[EV Dan]

Having used the giant screen on my Prius, I don't mind it!

Of course there are separate buttons for volume, heat up/down, etc

But at this point, I don't really mind it...even though it's probably less aesthetically pleasing than it could be.

The ONE thing that annoys me is that despite the HUGE screen, the reverse camera takes up only half the screen instead of filling the whole thing.

LOL, a back up cam screen in my former FJ was a square in the rear view mirror the size of a matchbox