why do you need to know its on ? . . . . . its all about control ?
a touch gets you 3 flashes............and cancels
a push to resistance gets flashes till you remember to turn............and cancels
why look?

BMW has already reverted to old-school switches in 2018 cars.

You still get the triple-blink when you don't push it to the stop, but when it hits the end of travel, it stays until it's canceled by returning the steering wheel to center... or until you flip it back to the centered position.

I found it a little odd at first when I picked up my new car last month, because I got accustomed to the controls this thread is complaining about in my last car.

There's also a device buried in the dash that simulates the clicking sound of an old school flasher relay. I think you can code it to be louder.

rightrudder wrote

I prefer the old style, used on my E46. The new stalk is another case of BMW needlessly trying to reinvent the wheel. I've adapted to using my M240i's stalk, but the old school approach is so pure and simple.

I'm no Luddite; I appreciate a lot of the other technology BMW has incorporated, like keyless start, Comfort Access, etc., but I think on the stalk issue it was done because it was perceived to be higher tech.

The so called "new stalk" has been used by BMW for years, at least 14-years to my knowledge. First BMW I drove with it was in 2003.

Seems many folks are so confused with the system that BMW have had to design for those who can't adapt. Shame really, as the current system works fine. I've personally driven it for over 10-years and really can't understand any of the negatives being raised.

New models like the G30 addresses the gripes, puts both designs into one. Should suit both those who find the current system is just fine, plus those who find it hard to use.

Personally I think the G30 change is a backwards step, as is the 'new' G30 wiper function, again adapted for those who can't get used to the end button auto sensing.

Funny thread. Sounds like the OP doesn't want to have his audio experience interfered with by the chore of . . . driving.

My current Bimmers have two sets of signals to tell me my turn indicator is on. The first is the flashing arrows in the instrument cluster. The second is the click-click-click.

But I guess if you're reading your smart phone and have something cranked up really loud on your audio system (not the radio!!!) you won't be able to see or hear those signals. Same is true to find out how fast you're going -- you have to look at the speedo, or at the displayed MPH if you've got HUD. Why can't BMW find some other way to tell me that?

Damn BMW for making only two signals that let me know my turn indicator is on. How can I enjoy myself and know without having to put any effort into driving?

PS: if you turn down the audio or adjust the steering wheel you can see the signals.

MalibuBimmer wrote

Funny thread. Sounds like the OP doesn't want to have his audio experience interfered with by the chore of . . . driving.

My current Bimmers have two sets of signals to tell me my turn indicator is on. The first is the flashing arrows in the instrument cluster. The second is the click-click-click.

But I guess if you're reading your smart phone and have something cranked up really loud on your audio system (not the radio!!!) you won't be able to see or hear those signals. Same is true to find out how fast you're going -- you have to look at the speedo, or at the displayed MPH if you've got HUD. Why can't BMW find some other way to tell me that?

Damn BMW for making only two signals that let me know my turn indicator is on. How can I enjoy myself and know without having to put any effort into driving?

PS: if you turn down the audio or adjust the steering wheel you can see the signals.

Or maybe you're just a bit daft, and your reply was utterly irrelevant.

rlmesq wrote

BMW has already reverted to old-school switches in 2018 cars.

You still get the triple-blink when you don't push it to the stop, but when it hits the end of travel, it stays until it's canceled by returning the steering wheel to center... or until you flip it back to the centered position.

Thats good news. I didn't notice it when I test drove the new 5 series, but it was a very short test drive.

Our cars have turn signals?

I dislike as well.

BMW's answer to a question no one asked.

No, you are not alone..... I have a new X1 25d Msport with the paddle gear changers.
I find it impossible to find a suitable position for the steering wheel without hiding the indicator display or the Stop /Start & defeat buttons which often leads to fiddling around with the latter with my eyes off the road.
My second gripe is that the front seat belt sockets are 'buried' beneath the seats and the arm rest console. However the simple solution was to purchase some seat belt extension sockets (about £12 pair) BSI approved (not the cheap fakes from a well known auction site)

HighlandPete wrote

The so called "new stalk" has been used by BMW for years, at least 14-years to my knowledge. First BMW I drove with it was in 2003.

Seems many folks are so confused with the system that BMW have had to design for those who can't adapt. Shame really, as the current system works fine. I've personally driven it for over 10-years and really can't understand any of the negatives being raised.

My E46 is a 2002 model year, so it's new for me. I can adapt just fine to the new control; I just don't prefer it...it's a tactile thing.

I use the soft touch for lane changes, I'm usually a two click for lane changes. I use the full on for actual turns and merges. The blinker always shuts on actual turns but on merges it's a different story and I do find myself having to click it again to disengage. No biggie.

I have never had an issue with them, never given it a thought!

I fucking loathe them.

Alfisti wrote

I fucking loathe them.

Haha . . . well put

I luv posters with an acute command of the english language . . . especially when they agree with me

I can't believe this is actually a thread......someone already said it but it bares repeating, 'FIRST WORLD PROBLEM". I almost feel the need to start telling back in the day stories, you know before intermittent wipers and shit....god.

Ok, back to the rum now.....

Used to get confused by it but later on got used to it.
Now, I get confused using other cars with different mechanism.

I love that we have two ways to signal, single light tap will turn signal to blink 5 times and reset, and then one full click of the lever will signal longer until after we made the turn.

RABAUKE wrote

I can't believe this is actually a thread......someone already said it but it bares repeating, 'FIRST WORLD PROBLEM". I almost feel the need to start telling back in the day stories, you know before intermittent wipers and shit....god.

Ok, back to the rum now.....

LOL, don't worry, I'm old enough to know about those days. Grew up in USSR where everyone drove Ladas. Still, the clusterpluck turn signal design in BMWs in very frustrating, and I'm glad to know they are changing it in 2018 models.

I've loved them since 2004.

I've gotten used to it, then when I get back in my JX35, I find myself manipulating the stalk like I have to in the 135. Its annoying.

Haha, this is why I hesitated to post how I distain the way BMW's work.

I knew if "I" was the one who posted this comment I'd get a hail of "Oh, I've never had an issue with mine" and it must be you.

You are too tall, your seat is the wrong height, your wheel is at the wrong angle and yadda yadda yadda.

I did notice today that it would be nice for the indicators to be on the lower part of the dash screen instead of the upper part where they tend to get lost behind the wheel for me. Why should I have to adjust my position for poor german engineering IMO.

Either way, there are over 2,000 posts to this OP comment. And many are as frustrated as the OP and me (or should that be I not me) jump on that too

Witness the fact that one poster commented that his 2018 turn signals operate differently now. Hmmm, I bet there are others that agree that the BMW's turn signals dont operate like most newer cars at least up thru 2017.

For those that feel they work fine, I'm sure if you have always driven BMW's you find it normal and are used to the way they are designed.

I found myself changing lanes again last night on the highway and since I can't see the indicators from my position of comfort the 3 sec attempt at a left lane change signal left was blinking for another 1/2 mile without me knowing it.

Also, as one poster said you can cxl it by pushing down in the same direction again, I tried that and it didn't work. Its that going over a micron of pressure to give me 3 secs and it reverts to like I'm now locked into a full left or right turn

I'll get used to it eventually, but its been 5 months now. Hey, I couldn't play the piano the first time I sat down at one (and I still can't).

expidia wrote

Haha, this is why I hesitated to post how I distain the way BMW's work.

I knew if "I" was the one who posted this comment I'd get a hail of "Oh, I've never had an issue with mine" and it must be you.

You are too tall, your seat is the wrong height, your wheel is at the wrong angle and yadda yadda yadda.

I did notice today that it would be nice for the indicators to be on the lower part of the dash screen instead of the upper part where they tend to get lost behind the wheel for me. Why should I have to adjust my position for poor german engineering IMO.

Either way, there are over 2,000 posts to this OP comment. And many are as frustrated as the OP and me (or should that be I not me) jump on that too

Witness the fact that one poster commented that his 2018 turn signals operate differently now. Hmmm, I bet there are others that agree that the BMW's turn signals dont operate like most newer cars at least up thru 2017.

For those that feel they work fine, I'm sure if you have always driven BMW's you find it normal and are used to the way they are designed.

I found myself changing lanes again last night on the highway and since I can't see the indicators from my position of comfort the 3 sec attempt at a left lane change signal left was blinking for another 1/2 mile without me knowing it.

Also, as one poster said you can cxl it by pushing down in the same direction again, I tried that and it didn't work. Its that going over a micron of pressure to give me 3 secs and it reverts to like I'm now locked into a full left or right turn

I'll get used to it eventually, but its been 5 months now. Hey, I couldn't play the piano the first time I sat down at one (and I still can't).

Thank you, great post. Highlighted part is spot on!