[Gator328i]

What are some of your thoughts about the ergonomics of the E9x design? I'm a little disappointed with it now that I've lived with the car for almost a month. The radio buttons are pretty tiny, especially the seek and manual mode buttons.

Granted, they don't feel as flimsy or as cheap as they did on the E46, but I think the ergonomics of the E46 are a bit better than the E9x. You really can't rest your arm anywhere on the center console or armrest if you have to fool with any of the radio buttons for a lengthy period of time. I was seeking through the dial today looking for a good station and my arm got tired pretty quickly. I also really liked how the controls were slanted towards the driver in the E46. It gave the car more of a cockpit like feel to it IMO.

I'm interested to know what other opinions are out there about the interior design of the E9x.

[Tom K.]

Or use the convenient steering wheel controls and the 6 presets.

Tom

[eamon]

Lose weight.

[sourphish]

Ouch loll. Since everyone seems to be offering alternatives...
Retrofit I-drive in and turn that knob :P
(Psst. I'm selling a CIC retrofit kit. Thought I'd sneak that in here )

But seriously though, I've never driven an e46 before so I don't know how the quality has changed

[AW335OME]

Never driven an e46 but damn not once have i ever complained about the ergonomics, let alone the idrive steering knob...

[merchomini]

Originally Posted by AW335OME

Never driven an e46 but damn not once have i ever complained about the ergonomics, let alone the idrive steering knob...

Originally Posted by vageenabeater

Get stronger arms

Originally Posted by Tom K.

Or use the convenient steering wheel controls and the 6 presets.

Tom

Originally Posted by eamon

Lose weight.

Agree with all of these, maybe bmw designed it to be comfy using the idrive, which i find verrrry comfy, and i dont think that i have ever been uncomfortable in my car....including the 12 hr drive home the day i bought it after sitting on planes and airports all day.

[Nugget64]

Originally Posted by Gator328i

What are some of your thoughts about the ergonomics of the E9x design? I'm a little disappointed with it now that I've lived with the car for almost a month. The radio buttons are pretty tiny, especially the seek and manual mode buttons.

Granted, they don't feel as flimsy or as cheap as they did on the E46, but I think the ergonomics of the E46 are a bit better than the E9x. You really can't rest your arm anywhere on the center console or armrest if you have to fool with any of the radio buttons for a lengthy period of time. I was seeking through the dial today looking for a good station and my arm got tired pretty quickly. I also really liked how the controls were slanted towards the driver in the E46. It gave the car more of a cockpit like feel to it IMO.

I'm interested to know what other opinions are out there about the interior design of the E9x.

I wouldn't post comments that aren't mechanical issues on this forum.. because you'll just get made fun of for being fat/loser/gay/poor etc. lol

[shazzy04]

Originally Posted by Nugget64

I wouldn't post comments that aren't mechanical issues on this forum.. because you'll just get made fun of for being fat/loser/gay/poor etc. lol

[ns2000x]

No comment on the radio situation.

I will note that BMW seems a little confused about the length of the average arm.

In the E9X especially 90 and 91 the window switches are at Gorilla length, (the X1 I drove had the opposite problem, it was designed for a T-Rex).

The passenger window switch is inexplicably hidden behind the door handle. So strange.

Quasi ergonomics, WTF with a place to store the manual. Bad form BMW. Bad form. The Audi I used to have located the manual in a very ergonomic position, right below the steering column.

[AW335OME]

Originally Posted by Nugget64

I wouldn't post comments that aren't mechanical issues on this forum.. because you'll just get made fun of for being fat/loser/gay/poor etc. lol

[plokij]

you're asking 2 questions: ergonomics & interior design

the basic ergonomics are good (wheel, shifter, & blinker stalk). though the pedals feel flimsy to me. the stock radio interface is bad, but imo the idrive system is worse. better tech can be had in a ford for less than 20 g's. the armrests depend on where your seat is positioned. technically, you're supposed to have 2 hands on the wheel. if you drive in that position with your head rested on the headrest, than the drive feels quite natural.

the interior design is pretty nice. better than any domestic offering, but not as good as other german luxury brands. i have beef with dakota leather. it's straight out of ikea. it's pretty much the cheapest, most kid/stain friendly crap you can cover a seat with. thankfully it was free at the time i purchased. the napa grade should be the standard leather. i think it used to be back in the day.

[Shahaed]

Originally Posted by Tom K.

Or use the convenient steering wheel controls and the 6 presets.

Tom

6? I have 18... for FM only.

[doubleIN]

Originally Posted by ns2000x

No comment on the radio situation.

I will note that BMW seems a little confused about the length of the average arm.

In the E9X especially 90 and 91 the window switches are at Gorilla length, (the X1 I drove had the opposite problem, it was designed for a T-Rex).

The passenger window switch is inexplicably hidden behind the door handle. So strange.

Quasi ergonomics, WTF with a place to store the manual. Bad form BMW. Bad form. The Audi I used to have located the manual in a very ergonomic position, right below the steering column.

+1. everytime I go to lower my window I end up lowering the rear window instead. somehow the window switch for the driver's window is just an inch forward of where my brain thinks it should be

[achien]

why aren't both of your hands holding the steering wheel?

Originally Posted by Gator328i

...

You really can't rest your arm anywhere on the center console or armrest if you have to fool with any of the radio buttons for a lengthy period of time. I was seeking through the dial today looking for a good station and my arm got tired pretty quickly. I also really liked how the controls were slanted towards the driver in the E46. It gave the car more of a cockpit like feel to it IMO.

I'm interested to know what other opinions are out there about the interior design of the E9x.

[CJ421]

Ergonomics as you're referring to them - I think the interior is nicely designed and most things are within easy reach.

Minor complaints:
-Why have the AUX connector in the center console? Stupid location. As a result I use CDs only now (better sound quality anyway).
-The split armrest should have come standard.
-Cupholders suck - I just put my water bottle on the passenger seat now.

[sswalters]

Agreed on the arm rests. Thats exactly why I went with OEM split armrests to rest your right arm on longer drives.

[Edward]

How does the split armrest function differently? Does it open differently or slide front and back or something?

Ergonomics-wise, I need the steering wheel to telescope out a solid 3-4 inches further. I'm 6'3" and I still have to drive with my arms too extended if I want sufficient leg room.

I wish the central locking button was on the driver side door armrest.

Wish the transmission paddles were taller both ways.

The seats blow ass but that's simply because my torso is too tall for them

I also wish the iDrive knob were further up towards the shifter or even closer to the driver. I find myself having to shrug my right shoulder to use it.

Also I really can't stand where the usb for music dumping is. It's so tough to get my tiny usb thumbdrive into that tiny slot in the glove box. Speaking of glove boxes, the car manual and leatherette holder it comes in doesn't even fit IN the glove box haha.

But these are all minor things in reality. I LOVE this car.

[Eights-n-Aces]

No issues with the radio controls
I agree on the position of the window buttons and the split arm rest

The little green light that tells me the wipers are in Auto is hidden by the steering wheel. Just moving the led an inch down the stalk would make it much easier to see.

Why is there only 1 inch clearance between the USB connection in the arm rest and the lid. I wonder if anyone has crunched their USB drive.

All in all, given the amount of control options I think they did a pretty good job laying things out. The suggestions above would be easy enough to fix without sacrifice.

[edirtaynine]

Originally Posted by Edward

Speaking of glove boxes, the car manual and leatherette holder it comes in doesn't even fit IN the glove box haha.

ahahahahha i thought the exact same thing too when i first saw mine

[J02 335i]

Originally Posted by ns2000x

No comment on the radio situation.

I will note that BMW seems a little confused about the length of the average arm.

In the E9X especially 90 and 91 the window switches are at Gorilla length, (the X1 I drove had the opposite problem, it was designed for a T-Rex).

The passenger window switch is inexplicably hidden behind the door handle. So strange.

Quasi ergonomics, WTF with a place to store the manual. Bad form BMW. Bad form. The Audi I used to have located the manual in a very ergonomic position, right below the steering column.

Thats because in an Audi you need to access the manual very frequently

[PKL]

The 6 buttons can be programmed to do almost anything you can do with your idrive.

I ADORE this feature and use it daily.

for example I have my buttons set to:

ipod, nav go home, call girlfriend, arrow pointing north (for nav), nav night mode, turn display off

[ryan970]

I hate the steering wheel and tires.