[gashead76]

Just checked with the dealer who has just assured me my g21 m340i order in June 21 will be delivered with touchscreen technology, hopefully stays this way as I do use it for navigation and android auto, still have a few weeks for it to change suppose.

[paulockenden]

The fact that they’ve removed the cubbyhole gives a lie to the excuse that the other deletions are all down to the chip shortage. Methinks BMW is just trying to claw back a bit more margin on the cars it sells.

So glad that mine was built in January, before this nonsense started.

[xenon]

Maybe, but working in the semiconductor industry I see across-the-board shortages in stuff we took for granted. Some items are only available on grey markets or new old-stock at prices 1000's times higher that before all this nonsense started. A device we used to acquire for around $3.76 is now at $58.00 from grey-market supply in Malaysia - the OEM have none.

[P-ToK72]

Originally Posted by gashead76

Just checked with the dealer who has just assured me my g21 m340i order in June 21 will be delivered with touchscreen technology, hopefully stays this way as I do use it for navigation and android auto, still have a few weeks for it to change suppose.

What are your estimated build / delivery dates.

[gashead76]

Originally Posted by P-ToK72

What are your estimated build / delivery dates.

Was being delivered this week originaly but has been pushed twice now, week 52 build... delivery not confirmed?

[Charlie (Wessex)]

Originally Posted by Talisman77

Interestingly I find the thumb-left/right and other gestures really useful at controlling media at least.

The only gesture I can ever get to work is the volume and then it over does it. Sometimes I seemingly are using my hands unintentionally and it will change something. IMO gesture control is a complete and utter waste of time.

[Colliwobbles]

Originally Posted by Charlie (Wessex)

The only gesture I can ever get to work is the volume and then it over does it. Sometimes I seemingly are using my hands unintentionally and it will change something. IMO gesture control is a complete and utter waste of time.

Agreed, Pity they are short of chips for this !

[giorgoXXI]

Hardly use it as well, only to enter addresses while stationary. The iDrive controller is just too good. Can't imagine living with a touchscreen-only car like new Audis or Teslas.

[Russ_M340i]

Originally Posted by Talisman77

I don't use the touchscreen often but when I do it's invaluable. Things like address input where BMW voice doesn't quite recognise it and rotating the wheel per letter takes half a year. Don't use it so much while driving but is neat to pinch and pan/rotate map around too in new areas.

You can draw letters on top of the idrive controller too

[Keith_C]

Originally Posted by Talisman77

Interestingly I find the thumb-left/right and other gestures really useful at controlling media at least.

I use Gesture control all the time and the touchscreen hardly ever for a couple of reasons, it's a bastard to hit what you want when you want when driving which makes it very distracting and ultimately dangerous and also the fingerprints.

The only people who don't like Gesture control are those who can't keep their hands still when talking, like my Mrs and Joe Achilles!!

The iDrive and it's controller is still the best in the business and I would never buy a car that was touchscreen only, stupid and unnecessary in a moving vehicle.

[Talisman77]

Originally Posted by Charlie (Wessex)

The only gesture I can ever get to work is the volume and then it over does it. Sometimes I seemingly are using my hands unintentionally and it will change something. IMO gesture control is a complete and utter waste of time.

Different strokes for different folks. Barely have any trouble with recognition personally.

Originally Posted by Russ_M340i

You can draw letters on top of the idrive controller too

Unfortunately this is rather lacklustre for me; half the time it doesn't fully notice my input so I get weird characters like dash or space added cause it only drew part of the letter A or whatever. Secondly it still takes forever to draw out every single letter compared to quick taps on the touchscreen where I know I have a long input to enter.

Originally Posted by Keith_C

I use Gesture control all the time and the touchscreen hardly ever for a couple of reasons, it's a bastard to hit what you want when you want when driving which makes it very distracting and ultimately dangerous and also the fingerprints.

The only people who don't like Gesture control are those who can't keep their hands still when talking, like my Mrs and Joe Achilles!!

The iDrive and it's controller is still the best in the business and I would never buy a car that was touchscreen only, stupid and unnecessary in a moving vehicle.

Definitely! I still find myself using the rotary wheel the most, but I think all the input methods have their place.

[Colliwobbles]

Originally Posted by paulockenden

The fact that they’ve removed the cubbyhole gives a lie to the excuse that the other deletions are all down to the chip shortage. Methinks BMW is just trying to claw back a bit more margin on the cars it sells.

So glad that mine was built in January, before this nonsense started.

That is correct BMW has confirmed it is making more profit per car and after the chip shortage it will not be going back to the high volume / discount model. So you can expect higher prices and less features in the future, chip shortage or not.

[marksandygill]

Originally Posted by Colliwobbles

That is correct BMW has confirmed it is making more profit per car and after the chip shortage it will not be going back to the high volume / discount model. So you can expect higher prices and less features in the future, chip shortage or not.

Yarp!

https://www.theguardian.com/business...expensive-cars

[Beemer5to3]

Originally Posted by Colliwobbles

That is correct BMW has confirmed it is making more profit per car and after the chip shortage it will not be going back to the high volume / discount model. So you can expect higher prices and less features in the future, chip shortage or not.

I doubt that - any manufacture will want to continue market share dominance, and whilst all manufacturers are making higher margin off a lower volume, they will still need to fill factories / make them efficient to run, which requires volume.

[Colliwobbles]

Originally Posted by Beemer5to3

I doubt that - any manufacture will want to continue market share dominance, and whilst all manufacturers are making higher margin off a lower volume, they will still need to fill factories / make them efficient to run, which requires volume.

See article
https://www.wapcar.my/news/mercedes-...business-33609

[Beemer5to3]

Originally Posted by Colliwobbles

See article
https://www.wapcar.my/news/mercedes-...business-33609

Cheers - I've read that, albeit a different site. What I meant was, whilst that may be their thoughts in terms of strategy post the semiconductor crisis, the world is quickly catching up to the likes of BMW, Audi, Merc etc in terms of quality - just look at Hyundai pushing into the premium market with Genesis, and Hyundai/Kia group in general absolutely flying and really gunning for the premium marques, not to mention Volvo having a go (albeit less successfully than they wanted). All of the current German marques seriously need to watch their backs from other manufacturers catching up - all of a sudden a non-discounted Merc or BMW doesn't stack up and they'll quickly realise it.

[marksandygill]

Once you remove the engine from the equation (as with EVs) then suddenly it leaves a lot less for makers like Kia and Hyundai to catch up on and a lot less excuse for makers like BMW to charge much higher prices!

I'd probably take a Kia EV6 over an i4 right now...

[Colliwobbles]

Originally Posted by Beemer5to3

Cheers - I've read that, albeit a different site. What I meant was, whilst that may be their thoughts in terms of strategy post the semiconductor crisis, the world is quickly catching up to the likes of BMW, Audi, Merc etc in terms of quality - just look at Hyundai pushing into the premium market with Genesis, and Hyundai/Kia group in general absolutely flying and really gunning for the premium marques, not to mention Volvo having a go (albeit less successfully than they wanted). All of the current German marques seriously need to watch their backs from other manufacturers catching up - all of a sudden a non-discounted Merc or BMW doesn't stack up and they'll quickly realise it.

I agree European manufacturers seem to been left behind, BMW seemed at the forefront with electric I3, maybe too soon. Now Koreans and no doubt soon Chinese will be leading “experts” in EV’s

[JNW1]

Originally Posted by Rhino at Work

Now it may just be me but I never use the touchscreen. If I was being provocative I'd go as far as saying it's borderline dangerous to use it whilst driving as it's too far away.

What do other people think?

I agree entirely and it's the main thing that pushes me away from Teslas; as I understand it they use their big central touchscreen to control almost everything - even operating the wipers - and I fail to see how that can be as convenient (or safe) as using a stalk mounted on the steering column. IMO it's providing a solution to a problem that never existed and is just tech for the sake of it....

[tyranniux]

Originally Posted by gashead76

Was being delivered this week originaly but has been pushed twice now, week 52 build... delivery not confirmed?

Suspect your dealer may be in touch to give bad news shortly, ive received word that while it doesn't show on orders as yet still in the queue, Its something that they are adding manually during the build process at the factory so doesn't show up on orders just yet, it has been communicated internally this week though to the dealerships. Also been told that the £500 credit is paid the month after the first registration and so presumably is a credit issued separately after all paperwork is completed and the payments set up (assuming pcp ). I presume this means it won't affect the quotes with regards to the % rate etc however I would be asking for something in writing about the credit before I sign any paperwork

[gashead76]

Originally Posted by tyranniux

Suspect your dealer may be in touch to give bad news shortly, ive received word that while it doesn't show on orders as yet still in the queue, Its something that they are adding manually during the build process at the factory so doesn't show up on orders just yet, it has been communicated internally this week though to the dealerships. Also been told that the £500 credit is paid the month after the first registration and so presumably is a credit issued separately after all paperwork is completed and the payments set up (assuming pcp ). I presume this means it won't affect the quotes with regards to the % rate etc however I would be asking for something in writing about the credit before I sign any paperwork

I am actually upgrading my g20 to a larger engine g21 before I jump ship to the scalexctric variety, don't use digital key, don't use the charger but do use the screen, it's easier for me to input addresses and use android auto... rather not have the £500 and they just swap the screen on my current car when I p/x for the new motor however the dealer has phoned yesterday saying it is happening on some of his orders but my order has not been affected, I have informed him I do use it often and something I wouldn't want deleted, already losing a few basic options from my current car but only will miss the cubby hole, rest is pointless or doesn't work that well anyway.

[P-ToK72]

Originally Posted by gashead76

I am actually upgrading my g20 to a larger engine g21 before I jump ship to the scalexctric variety, don't use digital key, don't use the charger but do use the screen, it's easier for me to input addresses and use android auto... rather not have the £500 and they just swap the screen on my current car when I p/x for the new motor however the dealer has phoned yesterday saying it is happening on some of his orders but my order has not been affected, I have informed him I do use it often and something I wouldn't want deleted, already losing a few basic options from my current car but only will miss the cubby hole, rest is pointless or doesn't work that well anyway.

So is yours already in production?
Just wondering how the dealer is able to ensure or confirm it’s not affected by the touchscreen loss unless it’s already built as the suggestion is it started in week 43?