2008 BMW X5: Schtick

It doesn't look complicated at all, it looks like you hold the button down and pull it back for drive.

US Regulations on Auto Transmissions
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/fmcsr/fmcsrruletext.asp?rule_toc=777&section=571.102&section_toc=2069

Either a good ole' fashion stick-shift or a nice gated auto shifter for me. BMW, you can keep this crap...

Since BMW doesn't make any mistakes, I'm sure there's a perfectly rational explanation for how this is vastly superior to the design we've been using for decades...

Yeah, I don't think its complicated at all people. P has the up and down arrows next to it to refer to the button on top (it goes up and down)(also called pressing). Similar to iDrive, these are vehicles for special people who love to drive and love the little details that make them better than the guy with the Cobalt. It may have a 1-2 day learning curve, but its really not that hard...

And people saying that something is overengineered is stupid. Would you rather want it underengineered, or how about just throw in some lame $40 shifter that any car can have, then you'd complain "I spent $70k on this SUV, atleast give me a fancy shifter"
 
bloodyr: it could be better or worse, imo I think it's better and liked using it. Engineers are always out to improve everything because nothing is ever perfect.

+2 z479 (on both points).
 
Jeez people, after using it a couple times it becomes second nature. It's not hard at all, but yes it is different.
 
BMW did it (and will likely do it on all future automatics) to save console space. Technology has eliminated the need to have the shifter travel such a comparably long distance to change gears. Yet you still have your push/pull Steptronic mode or the paddles on the steering wheel.
 
bloodyr, just because something has been the same for decades, does it mean it has to stay the same forever and ever? If that's the case, I better keep my CD player since it's been around for decades. No possible way anything newer could be better and more space-efficient.

Sorry, z479, I'm not drinking this BMW Koolaide. 'BMW did it, so it must be better.' Didn't work for iDrive, doesn't work for this. Can one learn/adapt? Sure, that doesn't make it better. Sorry not to be one of those "special people". Neither device has anything to do with improving the driving experience, IMHO.

IMO it has a lot to do with improving cabin feel, it simplifys things, well maybe not for someone just passing through a BMW with iDrive but anyone buying a BMW with it will adapt eventually.

"anyone buying a BMW with it will adapt eventually."
 
Many will, but I've talked to several 7er owners that hate it (iDrive).

I've talked to several 3,5, and x5 owners and they love it, especially with the iPod integration. If you doen't like it, don't buy it...

What is it that those of you who don't like it (the new shifter) don't like about it? Is it just the fact that it's different? Or that it appears complicated in this picture? Would that initial dislike be offset be the additional center console or cupholder space gained? Or by the (potentially) improved NVH? What if it were buttons like on old Chryslers? or a knob like in the Jaguar?

Ahh, how I miss those posts about peeps complaining about BMW's turnsignal activation...

"Many will, but I've talked to several 7er owners that hate it (iDrive)."
 
The 7-Series has the first version of iDrive that is very different than the subsequent, simplified versions in the 1, 3, 5, 6, X5, and X6. It's not really fair to compare the two - I don't like the 7's version either.

Scott:
I drive a 2007 BMW X5 every single day. I use the shifter multiple times every day. I think it's one of the best features in the car. If you don't like it, you are probably using it wrong. All it takes to shift gears is a quick flick, and I rarely use the "P" button. Just shut off the car, and it will switch it into park itself.
 
I don't think it's over engineered at all, it's almost perfect. In steptronic the shifts are even faster. I like it much much better than regular gearshifts.

I like the new shifter. It's not hard to use at all. I really like the "high tech" look and it's feel.
 
But this is also coming from someone who loves the iDrive, push button start/stops and comfort access (keyless go). Fits into the image that I categorize myself- young and tech savvy.
 
Nothings wrong with old style shifter either. But I do like the new.

I love BMW's turn signal, when I first drove one I thought it was a little weird and different, but 5 more minutes into driving I saw how much sense it made. It's very smooth and intuitive, and makes me wonder why every other automaker hasn't followed.

The Audi A4 rental I had also have the 3-second turn signal as well. Had the car for about 2 weeks and never got used to it.

I could argue both for and against this feature of the car.
 
For: There is no advancement without innovation. Innovation is risky, and humans inherently fear change and things that are different. Just because it's different, doesn't mean that it's bad...
 
Against: Doesn't mean that it's good, too. Everyone else does it the old-fashioned way because it's a good way. Innovation can bring great success, but it can also bring failure - probably the latter more often than the former.

I didn't like the 3 second turn signals initally too. I wasn't use to it. I turned off the feature via settings in iDrive.
 
I turned it back on later when it seemed like more work to hit the turn signal, then hit it again to turn it off. Often times I don't have huge turns where having the steering wheel come back to center automatically turns the signal off.
 
Now getting use to it. I love it. For quick lane changes, hitting the turn signal half way (to the point of resistance) activates the 3-second signal. When I want it on longer, I simply hit it past the point of resistance and it acts like it use to.

I don't get why people keep complaining about the new shifter... it looks absolutely wonderful and makes normal shifters look like something from the stone age.
 
Maybe it's like the 3 click turn signals people complain about... after driving a Mini for a couple hours I got it right every time and definitely preferred it over the normal system.

The idea of saving valuable console space w/ that 'joystick' is a great idea.
 
The execution looks cheesy. It looks like a video game joystick, not a $60,000 vehicle's gearshift lever.