Why did they design the trunk release button down there??

nukezero · 05-09-2010, 11:33 PM

Now.. for a few months of ownership, I wondered why the heck BMW designed an electronic trunk release switch right where the foot well is. You have to reach down, very down to be able to open it. I would understand if it is a mechanical release latch like in Japanese cars... but it's not.

Why not put it in one of the center dash controls, where there are so many buttons.

Then today, I REALIZED why! It must be because the Germans like driving in sandals or barefoot because when my girlfriend got out of the car and told me to open the trunk, I was wearing a flip-flop and used my big toe to open it. Quick and easy!!

But this won't work if I'm wearing shoes!! Any thoughts?

bsamoul · 05-09-2010, 11:34 PM

ha

JayKay335i · 05-09-2010, 11:49 PM

Probably because there is a release button on the trunk it self. There is basically no point of having that button in the car. If the car is unlocked you can just walk back and open it. If your hands are full your SOL either way because you need a hand to lift the trunk lid.

I think they added it down there as an afterthought.

s.myrr · 05-10-2010, 12:11 AM

Funny pic!

chromisdesigns · 05-10-2010, 12:13 AM

BMW design engineers all have arms like apes, is my guess. Otherwise they wouldn't have put the window controls so far forward, either. Or maybe the guy that drew the driver's side designs just has an unusual physique...!

hugus311 · 05-10-2010, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayKay335i

Probably because there is a release button on the trunk it self. There is basically no point of having that button in the car. If the car is unlocked you can just walk back and open it. If your hands are full your SOL either way because you need a hand to lift the trunk lid.

I think they added it down there as an afterthought.

never knew that. I always just used the trunk release on FOB. Awesome

phistyle · 05-10-2010, 12:24 AM

dam toes don't get any crustier than that....

Baldur Abendroth · 05-10-2010, 12:25 AM

As the hood release is meant to be opened with your hand, I believe that button is as well. But who cares when you have your key

JayKay335i · 05-10-2010, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hugus311

never knew that. I always just used the trunk release on FOB. Awesome

Yuhp. Theres some gray rubber if you reach at the area where your license plate is where it hangs over and the lights are. Right in the center.

jlstyle · 05-10-2010, 12:32 AM

Time for the foot scrub.

hugus311 · 05-10-2010, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayKay335i

Yuhp. Theres some gray rubber if you reach at the area where your license plate is where it hangs over and the lights are. Right in the center.

yup just tried it ! learn something new everyday

mas · 05-10-2010, 07:04 AM

Lol crusty feet?

PiZauL · 05-10-2010, 08:14 AM

Flipflops/Sandals + clutch pedal= no bueno! At least for me... Also feels weird pressing the clutch pedal barefoot. But:

LeadFootWOT · 05-10-2010, 08:47 AM

BMW probably put the switch out of the way to avoid accidental openings. Can you imagine having the button in easy reach and hitting it by accident while moving. Although it won't do anything as the wind resistance will keep it shut, it would be a pain in the ass to have to stop the car and close the trunk after each accidental opening. Just my $0.02.

HurtsMyWorld · 05-10-2010, 12:27 PM

While I was tinting my tail lights I only just noticed there was a place for the key to open the trunk. I discovered the key 3 weeks after I bought my car. Every week I find something new about that thing.

MetsFan · 05-10-2010, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chromisdesigns

BMW design engineers all have arms like apes, is my guess. Otherwise they wouldn't have put the window controls so far forward, either. Or maybe the guy that drew the driver's side designs just has an unusual physique...!

That is definitely one of the few things I don't like about the car.

OlivaresAnthony · 05-10-2010, 12:31 PM

lol at pushing it with your big toe..haha

vasillalov · 05-10-2010, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayKay335i

Probably because there is a release button on the trunk it self. There is basically no point of having that button in the car. If the car is unlocked you can just walk back and open it. If your hands are full your SOL either way because you need a hand to lift the trunk lid.

I think they added it down there as an afterthought.

No, not really...

Example:

You are dropping off a buddy at the airport. They get out, you push the button for the trunk and they can now take their bags out of the luggage compartment without you having to get out of the car...

Tee212 · 05-10-2010, 02:05 PM

I agree, it should at least be next to the door unlock button.

Brey335i · 05-10-2010, 02:17 PM

Yes it is a strange place to have that button but at least it's better than the Trunk release on the Mustang. There was a button on the key fob and that was it... no button inside the car at all

MalM3 · 05-10-2010, 02:28 PM

its best its out of the way so it isnt opperated accidently while driving..

can it be opened when the engine is running?

I use the key fob if i need to open the boot .. which is normally only when i unlock the car at the same time ..

i pulled the small cover to see if there was any wiring in place to retro fit the switch... none present

bimbopper · 05-10-2010, 08:46 PM

Why didn't they just put it inside the glove box next to the valet switch? Oh, sorry, grouping related controls together would be too logical!

05-09-2010, 11:33 PM	#1
nukezero Major 343 Rep 1,465 Posts Drives: BMW 3 series Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Irvine iTrader: (8)	Why did they design the trunk release button down there?? Now.. for a few months of ownership, I wondered why the heck BMW designed an electronic trunk release switch right where the foot well is. You have to reach down, very down to be able to open it. I would understand if it is a mechanical release latch like in Japanese cars... but it's not. Why not put it in one of the center dash controls, where there are so many buttons. Then today, I REALIZED why! It must be because the Germans like driving in sandals or barefoot because when my girlfriend got out of the car and told me to open the trunk, I was wearing a flip-flop and used my big toe to open it. Quick and easy!! But this won't work if I'm wearing shoes!! Any thoughts? Attached Images
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05-09-2010, 11:34 PM	#2
bsamoul Major General 165 Rep 7,433 Posts Drives: E90 325i Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Walnut Creek, California iTrader: (2)	ha __________________ -Brian 2X 2006 BMW 325i [Electric Red & Mystic Blue] \| ZPP \| V1 \| Rear Fogs \| M3 Lip Spoiler \| EAS RemoteKey \| BMS Powerbox \| Projector90 Headlights w/ LED AE \| LED plate lights \| OEM Blacklines http://www.tech-shine.com
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05-09-2010, 11:49 PM	#3
JayKay335i Banned 189 Rep 5,046 Posts Drives: ///M323 DCT Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: North Dakota; its best DUHHHHHH iTrader: (1)	Probably because there is a release button on the trunk it self. There is basically no point of having that button in the car. If the car is unlocked you can just walk back and open it. If your hands are full your SOL either way because you need a hand to lift the trunk lid. I think they added it down there as an afterthought.
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05-10-2010, 12:11 AM	#4
s.myrr Lieutenant 12 Rep 499 Posts Drives: AW 335i E90 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (1)	Funny pic!
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05-10-2010, 12:13 AM	#5
chromisdesigns Lieutenant Colonel 45 Rep 1,754 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 335i sedan Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (0)	BMW design engineers all have arms like apes, is my guess. Otherwise they wouldn't have put the window controls so far forward, either. Or maybe the guy that drew the driver's side designs just has an unusual physique...!
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05-10-2010, 12:24 AM	#7
phistyle Lieutenant 19 Rep 562 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW e92 335i Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (1)	dam toes don't get any crustier than that....
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05-10-2010, 12:25 AM	#8
Baldur Abendroth Lieutenant 14 Rep 468 Posts Drives: the economy, SG e92 335i MT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Lake Oswego, OR iTrader: (1)	As the hood release is meant to be opened with your hand, I believe that button is as well. But who cares when you have your key __________________
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05-10-2010, 12:32 AM	#10
jlstyle Lieutenant Colonel 355 Rep 1,762 Posts Drives: Porsche Panamera Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 Audi S7 [0.00] 2015 BMW X5 [0.00]	Time for the foot scrub.
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05-10-2010, 07:04 AM	#12
mas New Member 0 Rep 8 Posts Drives: e90 Join Date: May 2010 Location: brooklyn,NY iTrader: (0)	Lol crusty feet?
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05-10-2010, 08:14 AM	#13
PiZauL I6 + TT = FTW 84 Rep 850 Posts Drives: E90 M3, GT350, Tesla M3P Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Baltimore, MD iTrader: (2)	Flipflops/Sandals + clutch pedal= no bueno! At least for me... Also feels weird pressing the clutch pedal barefoot. But:
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05-10-2010, 08:47 AM	#14
LeadFootWOT New Member 0 Rep 17 Posts Drives: 2005 BMW Z4 3.0i Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Connecticut iTrader: (0)	BMW probably put the switch out of the way to avoid accidental openings. Can you imagine having the button in easy reach and hitting it by accident while moving. Although it won't do anything as the wind resistance will keep it shut, it would be a pain in the ass to have to stop the car and close the trunk after each accidental opening. Just my $0.02.
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05-10-2010, 12:27 PM	#15
HurtsMyWorld Lieutenant 6 Rep 448 Posts Drives: Black 07 335i Coupe Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Richmond VA iTrader: (2)	While I was tinting my tail lights I only just noticed there was a place for the key to open the trunk. I discovered the key 3 weeks after I bought my car. Every week I find something new about that thing.
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05-10-2010, 12:31 PM	#17
OlivaresAnthony Colonel 101 Rep 2,095 Posts Drives: 2019 Toyota Tacoma TRD OR 4x4 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (6) Garage List 2019 Toyota Tacoma ... [0.00] 2015 BMW 535i [0.00]	lol at pushing it with your big toe..haha __________________ E90 325i\|Sparkling Graphite Metallic\|Steptronic\|Black Leatherette/Dark Burl Interior\|OEM Alarm\|35%Front/5%Rear Tint\|RD LED License Plate Lights\|Rear Fogs Activated\|Debadged\|Smoked Sidemarkers\|Blacklines\|Depo P90v2\|Matte Black Grille\|BMS PBX\|AFE Drop In\|Charcoal Filter Delete\|Air Scoops\| RM Silicone Intake Hose\| Magnaflow 14815\| 19" Avant Garde M310\|Continental DWS\|M3 Lip Spoiler
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05-10-2010, 02:05 PM	#19
Tee212 Banned 81 Rep 4,541 Posts Drives: yes Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Riverside iTrader: (9) Garage List 2010 335 [8.00]	I agree, it should at least be next to the door unlock button.
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05-10-2010, 02:17 PM	#20
Brey335i Banned 112 Rep 4,771 Posts Drives: e46 ///M3 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (11)	Yes it is a strange place to have that button but at least it's better than the Trunk release on the Mustang. There was a button on the key fob and that was it... no button inside the car at all
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05-10-2010, 02:28 PM	#21
MalM3 4 pot warrior 37 Rep 1,307 Posts Drives: E90 318I Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: DENMARK iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 e90 [10.00]	its best its out of the way so it isnt opperated accidently while driving.. can it be opened when the engine is running? I use the key fob if i need to open the boot .. which is normally only when i unlock the car at the same time .. i pulled the small cover to see if there was any wiring in place to retro fit the switch... none present __________________ Been there, done that, wanna do it again
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05-10-2010, 08:46 PM	#22
bimbopper Car Guy for life 0 Rep 27 Posts Drives: '10 E90 328xi Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Mid-Atlantic iTrader: (0)	Why didn't they just put it inside the glove box next to the valet switch? Oh, sorry, grouping related controls together would be too logical!
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