[RahulNagaraj]

BMW has confirmed that it will be discontinuing the iDrive rotary knob. The click-wheel controller debuted 24 years back in the 2001 BMW 7-Series, before becoming a standard across all models.



The rotary knob has already been eliminated on certain models like the X2 and has been replaced with touchscreen controls. However, with the arrival of BMW's newest Panoramic iDrive system, the knob will be retired across all models.

Joern Freyer, Head of User Interaction, BMW, stated that the decision to remove the knob was based on data. It showed that on recent versions of iDrive, customers moved towards touchscreen controls, leaving the rotary knob to be hardly used. The lack of engagement with the knob resulted in BMW no longer needing to design its software to work via two different controls.

Apart from the rotary knob, BMW has also decided to kill off its Gesture Control feature.

Source: Road&Track

Link to Team-BHP news

[Dr.AD]

I understand the reasoning that BMW is giving for this decision, but I feel sad about this. Rotary knob was such a nice design, with a nice feel and click, and was an iconic element in the BMW interiors. I think the rotary knob was one of the best industrial designs that combined both functionality (ease and intuitiveness of use, and so many different actions quickly performed by this knob) and the aesthetics (it looked so nice). Sad to see this iconic design element gone from BMW interiors.

In my old 320d, I use this rotary knob a lot. Maybe because my iDrive is not a touchscreen, and I am forced to use the physical buttons and knobs. I can imagine that this will be less useful with the large touchscreen iDrive. But still, just a sad design loss.

[shibujp]

Thanks to my used 2017 X1 happy to own a part of history. As I was watching the i5 M60 video by Autocar today and seeing how adjusting the AC needed a two click process, using the iDrive is so much more intuitive. I find tapping the screen while driving so distracting compared to something like the rotary iDrive controller. RIP iDrive Controller and may you find your way back in a new avatar courtesy a creative designer.

Drive on,
Shibu

[agambhandari]

I'm royally disappointed at this move. I have found using the iDrive controller to be much easier to navigate the built in BMW software and even Carplay/Android auto across multiple generations of BMW, and that is vital when you are driving and need to focus on the road.

Another issue with the touchscreen is that its not always within easy reach and with the hot mess that iDrive 8 is, the giant screen takes a lot of hand movements to reach all its corners. I have touchscreen and the knob both on my car and i use the knob 90 percent of the times,its just that satisfying.

I was a bit sad to see it go away with the new X1 but deleting it across the lineup is the final nail in the coffin

[sandeepmohan]

Originally Posted by Dr.AD

In my old 320d, I use this rotary knob a lot.

Same here. In my case I use it A LOT as I have retro fitted Apple Car Play and Android Auto and the iDrive screen is not a touch screen (Can be upgraded to aftermarket Touch screen. I chose not to). I would still prefer the controller as the screen is a wee bit far away for your hand to reach it, even if it were a touch screen. Modern BMW's may not have the same issue as the screen maybe placed a little closer and have a larger area.

[Beam_it_Vikk]

I seldom use the rotary knob, but gesture control is a great feature. It makes it easier to operate the infotainment system while driving.

[sunikkat]

I might be in a minority here, but personally I don’t feel any difference if they removed the rotary knob. Other than the aesthetics it’s not adding anything for me. In my 4 months use of 330Li, I have forced myself to use the knob twice and never found it very useful. It’s much easier to use the touchscreen directly.