Hate windows control location?

E36E46E90 · 12-23-2006, 12:24 AM

1. old e46 windows controls on center shifter console OR
2. new e90 controls on driver door?

Fester · 12-23-2006, 12:26 AM

Do a poll please - I like the door location

visor · 12-23-2006, 12:34 AM

For a manual tranny driver, you have to have the controls by the shifter...

Alpine · 12-23-2006, 12:40 AM

When I had my e46 I couldn't stand the window controls by the shifter because they were so spaced out. I was really excited about getting 'normal' window controls on the door in the e90. When I got my e90 I kept reaching for the shifter when I wanted to put my windows down... actually I still do it...

SCA · 12-23-2006, 01:09 AM

I like the older position, but have adjusted to the new position.

s4iscool · 12-23-2006, 06:45 AM

neiter. The E90 is right, but they are too forward. BMW thinks I have 10" long fingers or an on demand dislocatable shoulder.

bronco · 12-23-2006, 07:02 AM

On my test drive I noticed the same thing. I believe the old position is better IMO

Oz · 12-23-2006, 08:12 AM

I like it better when they are on the door but I also think it is a bit too far. This is probably my only problem with the design of the car.

BMW320i · 12-23-2006, 08:20 AM

new place is better, when my car was in the dealer workshop, i got an E46 as a courtesy car, and i couldn't stand the windows control position

spydrz · 12-23-2006, 08:21 AM

Never had an E46, but when I drive my mother's, I'm always looking for the switches...so I'd rather have them on the door.

Phil335i · 12-23-2006, 08:21 AM

I've only experienced console mounted controls in non-BMW cars, but I prefer the door mounted controls. I don't raise/lower the windows that often anyway, so it's not a big issue.

Two Sheds · 12-23-2006, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s4iscool

neiter. The E90 is right, but they are too forward. BMW thinks I have 10" long fingers or an on demand dislocatable shoulder.

+1

I keep opening the back windows instead of the front ones, could with moving a few inches towards the driver, but I still do prefer them there rather than on the centre console.

SD330i · 12-23-2006, 10:12 AM

As a driving enthusiast I always keep my left hand on the wheel and my right hand on the shifter, just from habit. Also being that I live in SD I frequently open the window

, so having them in the middle is functional (even for the passenger) and convenient. I don’t mind them on the door, but it was definitely an afterthought as the distance is ridiculous. I am sure it was because of the I-drive being in the middle.

Hey if the I-drive could open and close the windows that would be sweet!

SoYank · 12-23-2006, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by visor

For a manual tranny driver, you have to have the controls by the shifter...

Have to? I've been driving a manual transmission vehicle for twenty-five years and have never once had the door window controls anywhere other than the door. To me it doesn't make sense to put them anywhere other than by the window they're controlling. You wouldn't expect the sunroof control alongside the dome light switch, would you?

The only window control I have had by the shifter has been for the power rear window on my 4Runners and I think it makes sense to separate that from the door windows in this case.

Fraggy · 12-23-2006, 10:41 AM

I like the standard BMW position. They have been in the center console for as long as I can remember.

I roll the windows down less due to where they are. Its not worth the work to reach out that far just to roll them down.

calvino · 12-23-2006, 10:45 AM

I have never own a e46 this is my first bimmer

but I think the controls are a little far I always lower the rear window

SoYank · 12-23-2006, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SD330i

Hey if the I-drive could open and close the windows that would be sweet!

Ideally, the windows and sunroof would be activated with voice control.

"Open moonroof", "Close moonroof"
"Open sunroof", "close sunroof"
"Open left front window", "Close right back window"
"Stop window" for when you only want it open part way. Of course, the window would be open or closed long before the voice prompt has even begun.

But then some people would complain that they would have to find the button on the steering wheel (or the one on the console) to activate voice control -- and remember the command. Maybe the solution is to go back to cranks.

LTO · 12-23-2006, 11:03 AM

i like the controls on the door, but they are too far. i too always roll down the rear window when i try to roll down the front.

calvino · 12-23-2006, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoYank

Ideally, the windows and sunroof would be activated with voice control.

"Open moonroof", "Close moonroof"
"Open sunroof", "close sunroof"
"Open left front window", "Close right back window"
"Stop window" for when you only want it open part way. Of course, the window would be open or closed long before the voice prompt has even begun.

But then some people would complain that they would have to find the button on the steering wheel (or the one on the console) to activate voice control -- and remember the command. Maybe the solution is to go back to cranks.

WOW you guys are getting really lazy !!!

Paul330d · 12-23-2006, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LTO

i like the controls on the door, but they are too far. i too always roll down the rear window when i try to roll down the front.

+1

Dann902 · 12-23-2006, 02:14 PM

Oh, good. I thought my arms were too short...

BMW F22 · 12-23-2006, 02:46 PM

I dont mind either one. THe window-position is a lil bit far away as someone's mentioned. If only they were an inch or two closer- that would be perfect.

View Poll Results: which do u prefer?
e46 center shifter conrols	61	44.20%
e90 driver door conrtols	77	55.80%
Voters: 138. You may not vote on this poll

12-23-2006, 12:24 AM	#1
E36E46E90 Vice Admiral 14 Rep 57 Posts Drives: 2006 325i 6MT Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (0)	Hate windows control location? 1. old e46 windows controls on center shifter console OR 2. new e90 controls on driver door?
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

12-23-2006, 12:26 AM	#2
Fester Major 27 Rep 1,129 Posts Drives: '13 Porsche 911 (991) 4S Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Silicon Valley, CA iTrader: (0)	Do a poll please - I like the door location __________________ 2013 911 4S ...GT Silver/Espresso custom build w/ lots of options and all alphabets soup! 2007 335i Coupe ...TiAg/Grey custom build...Sold!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-23-2006, 12:34 AM	#3
visor BMW, can I have some LSD please? 88 Rep 1,591 Posts Drives: 2017 F30 340i xDrive Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Vancouver, Canada iTrader: (0)	For a manual tranny driver, you have to have the controls by the shifter... __________________ 2006 330i \| TiAg \| Black \| Al \| 6MT \| Sports Package \| Logic 7 retired 2008 335i \| AW \| Black \| Al \| 6MT \| Sports Package \| Logic 7 retired 2013 328xi \| Red \| Gray \| Al \| 8AT \| Sports Line \| Premium \| Executive \| Heat Pkg retired 2017 340i xDrive \| Estoril \| Black \| Al \| 8AT \| M Package
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-23-2006, 12:40 AM	#4
Alpine Major 47 Rep 1,433 Posts Drives: e90 330i Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Nashville, TN iTrader: (5) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	When I had my e46 I couldn't stand the window controls by the shifter because they were so spaced out. I was really excited about getting 'normal' window controls on the door in the e90. When I got my e90 I kept reaching for the shifter when I wanted to put my windows down... actually I still do it... __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-23-2006, 01:09 AM	#5
SCA Brigadier General 565 Rep 3,742 Posts Drives: Multiple BMWs Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: 🇺🇸 iTrader: (0)	I like the older position, but have adjusted to the new position.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-23-2006, 06:45 AM	#6
s4iscool Major 26 Rep 1,138 Posts Drives: 06 330i Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Neccos iTrader: (2)	neiter. The E90 is right, but they are too forward. BMW thinks I have 10" long fingers or an on demand dislocatable shoulder.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-23-2006, 07:02 AM	#7
bronco Colonel 76 Rep 2,104 Posts Drives: e92 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (0)	On my test drive I noticed the same thing. I believe the old position is better IMO __________________ SaaS - The world of tomorrow is already here...www.saaschronicles.com
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-23-2006, 08:12 AM	#8
Oz Lieutenant Colonel 33 Rep 1,770 Posts Drives: 2006 330i, 2004 X5 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Wayne, NJ iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	I like it better when they are on the door but I also think it is a bit too far. This is probably my only problem with the design of the car. __________________ 2006 330i Steptronic/Alpine White/Black Leather/Burl Walnut Trim/Premium Package/iDrive/Heated Seats/Winter: STYLE 159 Blizzak LM-22 RFT/Summer: TBD 2004 X5 Steptronic/Alpine White/Grey Leather/Poplar Trim/Premium Package/Heated Seats/iPod Adapter
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-23-2006, 08:20 AM	#9
BMW320i Colonel 174 Rep 2,916 Posts Drives: '06 AW 320i Join Date: May 2006 Location: Muscat, Oman iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 320i [0.00]	new place is better, when my car was in the dealer workshop, i got an E46 as a courtesy car, and i couldn't stand the windows control position __________________ 19" velocity CSL replicas staggured // Continental sport contact 2: rear: 255/35/19, Front: 235/35/19 // Blacklines // rear OEM spoiler // y-connector // 30% v-kool tint all around // Black Roof/Mirrors // H&R Sport springs // H&R TRAK+ 15mm spacers // *BMW never makes ordinary cars . . .*
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-23-2006, 08:21 AM	#10
spydrz Captain 33 Rep 671 Posts Drives: '15 M4, '15 i3 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: RVA iTrader: (2) Garage List 06 330i [7.00] 2002 X5 3.0i [0.00] 2001 525i [0.00]	Never had an E46, but when I drive my mother's, I'm always looking for the switches...so I'd rather have them on the door. __________________ 2002 X5 3.0i/man.* 2006 330i/man./Arktis/Grau* 2001 525i/step./Schiefergrün/Sandbeige* 2013 X1 xDrive35i Alpinweiß/Schwarz/M Sport/Dinan Stage 2 *retired
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-23-2006, 08:21 AM	#11
Phil335i Private First Class 40 Rep 118 Posts Drives: 2020 M2 Comp Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Huntsville, Alabama USA iTrader: (0)	I've only experienced console mounted controls in non-BMW cars, but I prefer the door mounted controls. I don't raise/lower the windows that often anyway, so it's not a big issue. __________________ 2020 M2 Comp \| HS \| Blue Trim \| 6MT \| Exec Pkg \| Black Wheels 2007 335i \| Crimson \| Saddle Brown \| 6MT \| Sport \| Dinan S1 Pkg \| Active Steering \| Premium \| Nav \| CA \| PDC \| Sat Radio SOLD
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-23-2006, 10:12 AM	#13
SD330i Private First Class 6 Rep 153 Posts Drives: Silver 330i Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0)	As a driving enthusiast I always keep my left hand on the wheel and my right hand on the shifter, just from habit. Also being that I live in SD I frequently open the window , so having them in the middle is functional (even for the passenger) and convenient. I don’t mind them on the door, but it was definitely an afterthought as the distance is ridiculous. I am sure it was because of the I-drive being in the middle. Hey if the I-drive could open and close the windows that would be sweet! __________________ 06 330i // Silver // Step // Prem // Sport // IDrive // OEM rear lip // LLumar Tint 35%(f), 20%(r) // HRE 448R-silver // 19x8.5(f) & 19x9.5(r) // Goodyear F1s, 235(f) & 265(R)
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-23-2006, 10:41 AM	#15
Fraggy Brigadier General 193 Rep 3,469 Posts Drives: 2016 M3 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: San Diego iTrader: (11)	I like the standard BMW position. They have been in the center console for as long as I can remember. I roll the windows down less due to where they are. Its not worth the work to reach out that far just to roll them down. __________________ 2016 Alpine White M3 (gone) 2019 Alfa Romeo Guilia (Totaled) 2020 Car-less 😁 (no more) 2020 M340
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-23-2006, 10:45 AM	#16
calvino Lieutenant Colonel 304 Rep 1,928 Posts Drives: had e90, 330i mystic blue Join Date: May 2006 Location: Weston,Florida iTrader: (4) Garage List 2006 e90 330i [0.00]	I have never own a e46 this is my first bimmer but I think the controls are a little far I always lower the rear window __________________ E90 Mytic Blue 330i 07-20-2006. 05-17-2011 Doesn't the idea of making nature against the law seem to you a bit . . . unnatural? Support NORML
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-23-2006, 11:03 AM	#18
LTO Optometrist Prime 24 Rep 516 Posts Drives: 2008 E60 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: SoCal iTrader: (4) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	i like the controls on the door, but they are too far. i too always roll down the rear window when i try to roll down the front. __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-23-2006, 02:14 PM	#21
Dann902 Second Lieutenant 5 Rep 257 Posts Drives: '15 Audi A3 TDI/Lotus Gray Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: PVE, CA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	Oh, good. I thought my arms were too short... __________________ Past Bimmers: '09 550i Titanium Silver/Steptronic/Black Dakota Leather/Dark Poplar/ZMP/VP/ZCW/Sat Radio/Park distance/Power rear sunshade '06 330i Titanium Silver/Black Dakota/Light Poplar/6MT/ZPP/ZSP
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-23-2006, 02:46 PM	#22
BMW F22 Major General 3566 Rep 9,788 Posts Drives: ///M235i Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (8)	I dont mind either one. THe window-position is a lil bit far away as someone's mentioned. If only they were an inch or two closer- that would be perfect.
	Appreciate 0 Quote