inkiboo

I've got an iDrive with force feedback. Whenever I scroll in the iPod control or the phonebook, the moment I scroll off the screen in a list it resists. I can still scroll down the list (for example to see all the entries that begin with A) but the controller is fighting me all the way.

The service guy at my local BMW garage says this is normal; surely not?

hinckley

Ya, it's normal - and one of the most disliked features of the force feedback.

e60scotland

Interesting, below is a list of the 'Major' LCI Interior changes, it looks like force feeback (Operational) will be discontinued.

Another little item of interest is the front sliding armrest, I personally found it offensive that they were charging approx ?150 for this on pre LCI's, nice to know something which could be of use is now free, this includes floormats which i believe were chargable in the past too.

Sadly not all these goodies go to 520 LCI owners, no offence to anyone but i like the fact there is a difference between the budget end and the mid - premium.

Major interior changes:
- new door panels (including interior trim inserts)
- new centre console design with storage
- new steering wheel (centre insert design change)
- new controller (without operational feedback)
- centre console covered in leather whenever leather is specified (standard for 550i)
- all switches now have 'soft' edges (bevelled rather than sharp)
- new standard interior trim (plastic high gloss all models - wood for 550i SE / M Sport)
- 534 Air conditioning, with extended features standard for all models except 520d
- 473 Armrest - front with sliding adjustment standard for all models except 520d
- 423 Floor mats standard for all models
- 470 Child seat ISOFIX attachment, front standard for all models (with front

Gray Dog

NORMAL

Rudy

It's so normal that they've removed the force feedback feature on the current 2008 builds. The processor wasn't fast enough to keep up with the scrolling data, etc. so it was probably simpler to just eliminate the feature -- maybe someday in the future, on an entirely new version, we'll see this feature return with a faster processor...

Hopco

If the processor was to slow, why didn't they simply install a faster version of the processor and also add some more RAM?

Rudy

I don't know for sure but I think it's not that simple. When these cars are designed and tested, they obviously engineer things to work together but you have to remember that they can't just grab a component off of Intel's shelf and slap it in. Usually, when designing a new car, they begin the testing and engineering years before an actual product is produced. The processors and/or RAM is often something that's integrated into circuit boards, etc. so it's not as modular as a PC, for example.

One big thing that many people don't take into consideration is the temperature extremes and harsh environmental issues associated with automotive electronics. The processors, etc. have to be able to continue functioning in the heat of the desert as well as in extreme cold. Once a processor is chosen, it's probably not very simple to just swap it out for a newer one without going through testing, etc. again.

It's likely that the F10 will have a newer, faster processor but until then, they probably found it easier to remove a feature that was processor intensive than to open a new can of worms, so to speak...

xBMWx

...they do this because they know we have more money left over to afford all the options!

I understand where you are coming from and think a more expensive "standard price" should also be rewarded with more features included "for free". However I do find it very frustrating that there are certain features, such as the single tail-pipe, that you cannot upgrade from the options list - not even put a chrome finish on it. Its as if we are being punished for taking the entry level engine, which is often because of company car / fuel / tax reasons, and after adding options the end price still ends up costing as much as or more than the next model up! Something very wrong about that :thumbsdown:

(sorry, a little off topic, but just had to let that out)

Hopco

Thanks Rudy for your wise and considered observation.

uglybear

Actually, I think it is simpler that it seems. Not as simple as PC upgrade, but still. First, all car manufacturers seem to be quite poor in designing car computers, user interfaces and incorporating modern features in them. It seems there are not enough people with computer (as in working with human as opposed to running car functions) knowledge in auto industry. Look even at car mag reviewers - they despise computers. Sometimes it is not even about computers anyway. How long did it take car manufacturers to provide stupid aux input?

If equipment in the car cannot be changed for a few years (say, 3-4), then the most powerful computer must be selected. Not the cheapest. I think that actually bean counters force latter, not former. Or software has to be written with computer power in mind. Slow machine - write proper code. Do not implement something too comple to run on this computer. Not enough RAM? Well, why didn't you order enough? Simple look at computer power requirements tell that if you think today 1GB is enough, in 4 years 2GB won't be enough. So order at least 4 now if you can' upgrade until 5 years from now. Or order computer to be upgradeable. Or make car in a way you can install faster computer 2 years down the row. After all, Air Force upgrades avionics in fighters all the time. They are not buying new planes all the time, aren't they.

There is no indication that slow computer is more reliable. It is cheaper, sure, but not necessarily more reliable. That's where, I think, the real explanation is. People will buy car anyway, so why bother?