BMW is removing touchscreen functionality from some new cars due to chip shortage

[bviktor]

I must be the only one who likes the modern iDrive systems used with the centre console wheel. I don't want greasy fingerprints all over the screen. Easier to rest an arm on the centre console and move through menus than lean forward and stab at this screen. I like the tactility of the wheel and you get muscle memory after a few weeks to use it without even taking your eyes off the road.

The credit is also fine, gives a good starting haggling position.

Entering addresses takes around 10 times more with the wheel, instead of the touch screen keyboard.

 

[bviktor]

Cool, good luck selling a premium sedan without touch screen in 2021. And especially good luck reselling them a few years later. Peeps will have to carry a checklist with them, "does this work? does that work?".

I also hear that Mercedes is doing the same with the wireless charging tray. The tray is there, it just won't charge. Quite ridiculous.

 

[Vulcanproject]

Entering addresses takes around 10 times more with the wheel, instead of the touch screen keyboard.

I'm not sure if you have used a modern one properly but it doesn't with the touch sensitive pad on top of the wheel where you can draw letters. The Nav quickly narrows it down anyway so you're selecting only a fraction of the letters you need.

Also I just used the BMW app where you can search like google maps and send it to the car before you even get in. That was like 99 percent of my usage. So meh.

 

[Rvnwlf]

I have a Mazda that has a similar center console control system. I don't think I've used my screen as a touchscreen once.

The center control is by far the best type of system out there. If my company decided to start using BMW's as our fleet vehicles (fat chance) then I probably wouldn't even notice a difference.

 

[DaveBG]

I will never buy a car with no touchscreen again so ... good luck.

 

[thelatestmodel]

Good! Only touchscreen I need in my car is my phone, which can hook up to Bluetooth. Proper switches and buttons in vehicles are better.