Hey BMW designers… Suggestions for changes in the next model

[todao]

I love my 2023 760i and it’s the first car I have not gotten bored with in my third year of ownership. But they’re definitely some things that could be improved on the next redesign. I love the exterior, including the front, I’m going to focus more on the interior.

Here are a couple suggestions to improve driving experience.

– Make the button that opens the door automatically a tactile button. You get no feedback when you press the button so you’re not always sure that you pressed it correctly to close the door.

– why is it when you start the car and you get the first caution message on the display you often have to press the round button twice to clear the message? Unnecessary!

– The roof liner covering the panoramic glass needs to be thicker. The sun and the heat shine through that material. If you’re closing the roof liner, you should get complete protection.

– Not a big one, but my pet peeve. The array of icons on the Bottom of the display screen is in a different order than On the rotary dial selector you use with your hand. I often get mixed up because the home icon is in the middle on the display, but it’s on the left by the rotary button. Every time I Start to go to the home screen, I have to think where the button is, depending on which one I’m using. Can’t they be put in the same order?

– Please give us more ambient lighting options. I love the colors, but I would like more choices of colors and especially being able to have two or more colors at once. I know you already have this ability because when you go in sport mode, you get the red and the blue in the ambient lighting. Why not give the user choices of multi cover in the ambient lighting?

Well, those are my starting suggestions, but I’m sure other people have more…

[Midwest Alpina]

- Provide an option to make ANY "Driving Mode" default startup mode

- Digital rear view mirror considering you can't see out the back window when the rear shade is up

[ChairborneStranger]

Have you guys signed up for the BMW studies on TestBirds?

This is probably the best way to pass your feedback along to BMW: TestBirds - BMW Test Community

I did the interview for the Theater Screen and was able to pass along some of my annoyances directly (especially with the eSim).


I actually have a few active bugs I've tried to pass along directly and don't think BMW is reading forums nor monitoring anything outside of specific channels. Don't let that discourage the conversation, but just explaining there may be specific outlets to pursue.

Originally Posted by Midwest Alpina

- Digital rear view mirror considering you can't see out the back window when the rear shade is up

This is one of the suggestions I shared with my Testbirds interviewer since it also relates to the Theater Screen. I think it has to do with the angle of the rear window, but it's the first 7 series where I can't see through the rear sunshade at all while it's activated and also quite dangerous (not to mention illegal in many states).

Just my opinion, but I don't think there's anything stopping BMW from adding a digital rearview mirror feature right now to current 7 series owners since the tech is there and they can leverage the center displays to act as the digital mirror. Frankly, I'm a bit shocked they didn't think through this better as there's zero visibility through the rear sunshade.

[Lovin7er]

Originally Posted by Midwest Alpina

- Provide an option to make ANY "Driving Mode" default startup mode

- Digital rear view mirror considering you can't see out the back window when the rear shade is up

An absolute must!

[A-Train]

I love my i7. Not perfect but really good and no other daily driver seems as good (for me).

These are primarily software-related design issues:

- When pressing a shortcut from the central screen (when you swipe down from the top), do not then have the shortcut menu disappear right away. Instead, allow a 2-3 second lag in case someone wants to select more than 1 shortcut at a time (which I often do). Tesla allows many shortcuts to remain fixed (and easily user-adjustable) on the bottom horizontal screen bar.

- on the app, make it much cleaner design on the home screen rather than a long scrolling mess of choices incl rarely used items that should not be on home screen at all.

- on the app, allow user to control temp, fan speed, seat heating and ventilation, and steering wheel heat.

- on the app, add a simple "pet mode" button on app and on car monitor for when pet remains in the car without driver and HVAC keeps pet comfortable.

- enable user to select default start-up drive Mode (e.g., Sport, Relax, etc.)

- make the bin in front of cupholders angled like Tesla. It is safer for phone and doesn't get blocked by bottles in the bins, or at least makes access/ use of bin much better.

- fewer screen clicks to find and start a podcast or playlist. Oddly inefficient interface as-is.

- taller door bins (height from protected bottom to top)

- wider or deeper trunk capacity. It's decent now but not stellar.

- have the controller physical circular knob be a bit taller, for better grip while still not being a hockey pick. Approx 5mm taller.

This car is amazing as-is, for sure.

[AlteBMW]

My two cents (I agree re all the above):
Expand shortcuts to 12. This is an easy software fix.
Since shortcuts are tied to the user profile, it should be possible to allow selection and placement of shortcuts in the phone app (sort of like customizing Carplay)
Allow deletion or hiding of icons that are rarely or never used.
Stablize the Carplay connection (hopefully this already done in the latest software).
Get OTA software updates out faster.
Get OTA software updates out faster (yes I know I said it twice, but it bears repeating).

[A_]

1. Foot rest
I don't understand why BMW don't offer passenger footrests on the 7 series. There used to be footrests on the e38 long, e66 and f02. The coolest footrests are in Rolls-Royce - electric passenger footrests under the carpets. We ask BMW to offer such in the new 7 Series - https://www.youtube.com/shorts/oKxSLoQ71bo
2. Fridge
Where is the fridge? I had a fridge in the old 7 series f01. Rolls Royce has the same fridge as the old f01s

[jsp1777]

Adding to suggestions:
1. Rear View Mirror camera (can't see out when rear shade is up)
2. Put more padding on center armrest...would add to "luxury" feel of car
3. Agree with MORE BUTTONS!!!! For the basic: Radio/AC/Auto Doors...please
4. Better Roof Shade Needed! Down here in Texas...it's not that effective.
5. Poor AC flow and weak AC generally...this is one of the worst AC's of any car I've owned (the other worst was my 2024 X7 M60i....Please fix this!)

Overall...I still love my 2024 760i...now that you're in the lead...hoping you can stay there by continuous improvement! Good luck!

[DroMike]

Originally Posted by A_

2. Fridge
Where is the fridge? I had a fridge in the old 7 series f01. Rolls Royce has the same fridge as the old f01s

Ha - You must have missed my post from last May: https://www.7post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2105389

[Streamliner]

My complaints are a bit different and basic:

1. Road and/or tire noise on less than ribbon smooth road surfaces, at highway speeds is unacceptable. I would suggest more insulation in these areas and better tire and wheel technology. BMW should have one of the premier tire manufacturers develop an ultra quiet tire for the I7.

2. Do away with the tacky “crystal” seat & other controls. These do not belong in any vehicle, let alone The Ultimate Driving Machine.

3. Lose the faceted, plastic light bar across the dash. Again, I find it to be glitzy, tacky and just so un-BMW LIKE. The ambient lighting in the current MB S Class is SO much more elegant. Much less shiny, black, dust catching, fingerprint grabbing, plastic would also be much appreciated.

4. I would much prefer another roller type volume control on the steering wheel, with a “push to mute” feature as on the console, but again, NOT the crystal material. The previous generation MB metal, “knurled” rollers were fabulous.

5. The HVAC vents need to be larger and provide more airflow. I have not yet experienced summer with my I7 and IÂ’m worried.

6. For the automatic doors, there should be a “close” button at the top, rear of the upholstered door panel. Trying to use the button on the dash when exiting is too tricky.

7. Make the glass roof OPTIONAL! It serves virtually no purpose and I would SO much prefer an all steel roof or one with an old fashioned “moon roof.”

8. More physical knobs, buttons & switches for the more basic functions.

9. A storage space for eyeglasses.

10. More effective shading from front sun visors. Right now, there are too many areas that the visors do not cover.

[pegogetem]

Originally Posted by Midwest Alpina

- Provide an option to make ANY "Driving Mode" default startup mode

- Digital rear view mirror considering you can't see out the back window when the rear shade is up

Digital Rearview Mirror