Steering wheel volume control: what were they thinking?

metrathon · 05-23-2013, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScarecrowBoat

Hey I found a solution for you, just trade your car for a Sienna. http://media.caranddriver.com/images...s-1280x782.jpg

At least Toyota got it right

All your replies on this topic have been ... constructive and to the point. Who doesn't appreciate that? I surely do.

ScarecrowBoat · 05-23-2013, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by metrathon

All your replies on this topic have been ... constructive and to the point. Who doesn't appreciate that? I surely do.

It's hard to have a constructive solution to a pointless complaint. Lighten up

metrathon · 05-23-2013, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScarecrowBoat

It's hard to have a constructive solution to a pointless complaint. Lighten up

My dear, maybe this is your first BMW and it might be pointless to you, but guess what? We are 6.974 billion ppl on this planet. So, please, do everyone else a favor and stop trolling. I got you're dissatisfied with my "pointless" complaint but it's time for you to move on to a different thread.

ScarecrowBoat · 05-23-2013, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by metrathon

My dear, maybe this is your first BMW and it might be pointless to you, but guess what? We are 6.974 billion ppl on this planet. So, please, do everyone else a favor and stop trolling. I got you're dissatisfied with my "pointless" complaint but it's time for you to move on to a different thread.

You're right, the person asking what kind of person would put a button on the "wrong" side of the steering wheel isn't the troll

I'll answer your original question: It's personal preference.

akamomo · 05-23-2013, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedmumbaSeattle

Not sure why people are giving you so much crap; I think it's a horrible location. Especially considering iDrive is controlled with your right hand (and still, somehow, has no volume controls near it). I don't think I've ever used the left side buttons at all.

+1 - well I have used left side just not often. The iDrive in right hand and then volume on wheel right hand has me using the volume on the dash (the knob). Its certainly a first world problem but I think its ok to point out ergonomic issues, sheesh. Of course this goes away if the wheel is the same for right hand drive vehicles...

ScarecrowBoat · 05-23-2013, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akamomo

+1 - well I have used left side just not often. The iDrive in right hand and then volume on wheel right hand has me using the volume on the dash (the knob). Its certainly a first world problem but I think its ok to point out ergonomic issues, sheesh. Of course this goes away if the wheel is the same for right hand drive vehicles...

Yeah but I absolutely prefer the cruise control on the left, and that actually makes sense. I can leave my left hand on the wheel and adjust the speed as needed, whereas if it were on the right I'd have the same problem as with the volume. This is what I mean, it's not an ergonomic "issue" it's just preference. I happen to think they got it right, you may not agree. Neither of us is wrong.

RedmumbaSeattle · 05-23-2013, 04:56 PM

I think the bigger discussion is--why the hell does the iDrive control not have a volume control on it?

ScarecrowBoat · 05-23-2013, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedmumbaSeattle

I think the bigger discussion is--why the hell does the iDrive control not have a volume control on it?

+1....

My personal dumb complaint is why I can't hit "next track" from the steering wheel. You either have to be on it on iDrive (which really is not that bad) or you have to reach to the other side of the world to hit next...

bones · 05-25-2013, 07:21 PM

I use the scroll wheel on the right side of the steering wheel for track selection.

My beef is that the list of tracks in a playlist is no longer available once a song is selected. It was nice to be able to scroll through the list to find a good next song whilst enjoying the current song. You can still do it with the scroll wheel but the list that appears on the dash is far more condensed.

OC40 · 05-25-2013, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScarecrowBoat

+1....

My personal dumb complaint is why I can't hit "next track" from the steering wheel. You either have to be on it on iDrive (which really is not that bad) or you have to reach to the other side of the world to hit next...

You can. Scroll wheel next to volume.

AMJAM · 05-25-2013, 09:54 PM

Works perfectly on right hand drive cars

avantix · 05-26-2013, 06:54 AM

I agree with OP. I had a 2009 335i and the volume was on the left along with track change. Now they put cruise buttons there. So stupid. And there should definitely have been volume control near iDrive like Audi has.

OC40 · 05-26-2013, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avantix

I agree with OP. I had a 2009 335i and the volume was on the left along with track change. Now they put cruise buttons there. So stupid. And there should definitely have been volume control near iDrive like Audi has.

Many have complained about volume controls next to iDrive. May I ask why? Do you keep your hand on the iDrive knob 24/7? This isn't sarcasm, I truly don't understand what all if the fuss is about.

The volume controls on the steering wheel and dash are perfect for me. Maybe because the iDrive controls are at my forearm?

ScarecrowBoat · 05-26-2013, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OC40

You can. Scroll wheel next to volume.

You can't when you are playing from an iPod. It displays the tracklist, there is no "next" or "previous".

OC40 · 05-26-2013, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScarecrowBoat

You can't when you are playing from an iPod. It displays the tracklist, there is no "next" or "previous".

Mine has a next/back for both iPod connected via USB and iPhone via bluetooth. Matter of fact, I was using it today via bluetooth. I kept hitting the back button to replay "All Gold Everything - Remix" on my way home from getting some coffee beans...

Buzzman · 05-26-2013, 06:33 PM

The only valid reason I can think off is that in essence, BMW are manual beasts so most drivers are used to keep the left hand on the wheel and work the controls with the right hand. Not scientific, just and idea...

OC40 · 05-26-2013, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buzzman

The only valid reason I can think off is that in essence, BMW are manual beasts so most drivers are used to keep the left hand on the wheel and work the controls with the right hand. Not scientific, just and idea...

I think it has to do with where the steering wheel is located in the home country. German's have steering wheel on right side, hence BMW/Audi/MB have volume on right side. Japanese have steering wheel on left side, hence Acura/Lexus have volume on left side. Like you, not scientific, just an idea.

soydavichu · 05-27-2013, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OC40

I think it has to do with where the steering wheel is located in the home country. German's have steering wheel on right side, hence BMW/Audi/MB have volume on right side. Japanese have steering wheel on left side, hence Acura/Lexus have volume on left side. Like you, not scientific, just an idea.

I think is the other way around. German cars are left-side and Japanese cars, rigth-sided steereing wheel.

TonyS · 05-27-2013, 03:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OC40

I think it has to do with where the steering wheel is located in the home country. German's have steering wheel on right side, hence BMW/Audi/MB have volume on right side. Japanese have steering wheel on left side, hence Acura/Lexus have volume on left side. Like you, not scientific, just an idea.

And what colour is the sky in your world?

Bjornagain · 05-27-2013, 04:29 AM

The volume/change track should ofc be on the left side. For us who have a MT, we usually have the right hand on the stick most of the time. My Golf has it and it makes perfect sense in my opinion.

/bjorn

OC40 · 05-27-2013, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyS

Quote:

Originally Posted by OC40

I think it has to do with where the steering wheel is located in the home country. German's have steering wheel on right side, hence BMW/Audi/MB have volume on right side. Japanese have steering wheel on left side, hence Acura/Lexus have volume on left side. Like you, not scientific, just an idea.

And what colour is the sky in your world?

It was red last night...many glasses that is.

OC40 · 05-27-2013, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soydavichu

Quote:

Originally Posted by OC40

I think it has to do with where the steering wheel is located in the home country. German's have steering wheel on right side, hence BMW/Audi/MB have volume on right side. Japanese have steering wheel on left side, hence Acura/Lexus have volume on left side. Like you, not scientific, just an idea.

I think is the other way around. German cars are left-side and Japanese cars, rigth-sided steereing wheel.

You, my friend, are correct. As I mentioned above, wrote that after a few glasses of wine. I confused the side of the car.

05-23-2013, 04:56 PM	#29
RedmumbaSeattle Private 4 Rep 54 Posts Drives: 2014 X3 xDrive35i Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW X3 xDrive35i [0.00]	I think the bigger discussion is--why the hell does the iDrive control not have a volume control on it?
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05-25-2013, 07:21 PM	#31
bones Private First Class 122 Rep 180 Posts Drives: 2020 M340 RWD Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	I use the scroll wheel on the right side of the steering wheel for track selection. My beef is that the list of tracks in a playlist is no longer available once a song is selected. It was nice to be able to scroll through the list to find a good next song whilst enjoying the current song. You can still do it with the scroll wheel but the list that appears on the dash is far more condensed.
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05-25-2013, 09:54 PM	#33
AMJAM Captain 33 Rep 944 Posts Drives: 2013 Alpine 328I MSport Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: What is the Matrix iTrader: (0)	Works perfectly on right hand drive cars __________________ 2013 Alpine White 328I M Sport ARRIVED
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05-26-2013, 06:54 AM	#34
avantix Captain 342 Rep 941 Posts Drives: 2019 M4CS Lime Rock Grey Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Montreal iTrader: (6)	I agree with OP. I had a 2009 335i and the volume was on the left along with track change. Now they put cruise buttons there. So stupid. And there should definitely have been volume control near iDrive like Audi has. __________________ 2019 M4CS Lime Rock Grey, MP HAS, GC camber plates, MPE
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05-26-2013, 06:33 PM	#38
Buzzman Private First Class 12 Rep 189 Posts Drives: 2016 F26 M40i Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Gatineau (Québec) Canada iTrader: (0)	The only valid reason I can think off is that in essence, BMW are manual beasts so most drivers are used to keep the left hand on the wheel and work the controls with the right hand. Not scientific, just and idea... __________________ 2016 F26 Alpine White M40i 2014 F25 Alpine White 35i Sport - Retired 2012 F30 Melbourne Red 335i Sport Line - Retired 2007 E92 Space Grey - Retired
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05-27-2013, 04:29 AM	#42
Bjornagain New Member 0 Rep 11 Posts Drives: F30 320i Alpine MT M-sport Join Date: May 2013 Location: Sweden iTrader: (0)	The volume/change track should ofc be on the left side. For us who have a MT, we usually have the right hand on the stick most of the time. My Golf has it and it makes perfect sense in my opinion. /bjorn
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