Ceramic Controls Question

[Blackhawks]

I've seen both the ceramic controls and standard in person. I like the ceramic version as it looks pretty sleek with black interior and the anthracite headliner. I'm usually one to pay for aesthetics... especially those that are hard to replace via aftermarket when buyer's remorse kicks in.

1. Do the controls get hot/hotter than their standard counterpart?

2. Do they scratch easily/more easily than the standard?

3. If the money is in the budget... is there any reason to NOT get them?

[Kzang]

1. Do the controls get hot/hotter than their standard counterpart?
Dark color always attract more heat.. either way I think the temperature rating from standard to ceramic is similar.

2. Do they scratch easily/more easily than the standard?
I am not sure about scratches but you do get more fingerprints.

3. If the money is in the budget... is there any reason to NOT get them?
Only reason not to get them would be fingerprints and the iDrive knob doesn't light up at night. Check this thread.. http://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...ght=knob+light

[Blackhawks]

Thanks Kzang. I read this thread a couple days ago and I think it gave me more questions than answers. I'm about to read it again...

[Blackhawks]

Ok... so the ceramic controls don't light up. Sounds like that's the verdict. lol.

I actually do like the little touch that the light provides... and may be enough to put that $650 towards something else.

[Kzang]

It's a personal preference.. I don't know if I would have gotten it even if the excessive fingerprint wasn't an issue.. not worth $600+ for it.. I rather put that money towards some other useful option.

[Blackhawks]

Originally Posted by Kzang

It's a personal preference.. I don't know if I would have gotten it even if the excessive fingerprint wasn't an issue.. not worth $600+ for it.. I rather put that money towards some other useful option.

Tell me one aesthetic mod that we do that's actually useful

Most are just the crap that we love to waste our money on. lol.

[HMN]

Is it possible though to get the ceramic controls after the car is finished production?

[1230vani]

Originally Posted by Hamad Nasser

Is it possible though to get the ceramic controls after the car is finished production?

You can retrofit them at the dealer. In europe on a seven series it was about eur 2k.

[1230vani]

They are free of sccratches. I would take them again, looks and feels awesome. When you actually touch them to use them the material feels better. I took the because i thought they look great.

[stewy604]

+1 for ceramic controls...look and feel is excellent. Having driven BMW's without the option (service loaners typically), I always look forward to hopping back in mine. Just feels more "polished" if that makes sense. I dont find that they get any hotter than any surface normally would. I've got a microfibre cloth that I keep in the glovebox to remove fingerprints, etc...

[Stunnaz]

I initially didn't order Ceramic controls, because just from the website description I think it's pretty ridiculous to spend $650 on a few buttons. However, I went to the Chicago Auto Show and they had a X15 with ceramic controls along with other BMWs without, and it changed my mind. Not only is the surface material different, but the control itself for the iDrive knob is heavier and just feels luxurious. The buttons for the climate controls in the rear are ceramic as well.

I ended up getting a new build with ceramic controls along with the leather dash. Both options I would absolutely get if I were to do it again.

[kamichael]

I have ceramic controls in my 2015 X5 5.0 and regular controls in my 2015 X5 M. I actually prefer the non-ceramic controls for a few reasons. First, the ceramic iDrive knob does NOT light up around the ring. This is a small touch, but looks nice at night time. The bigger issue for me however is the actual control itself lacks grip on the ceramic control. The volume and climate knobs are actually the biggest problem. Although you can still grab them, the non-ceramic version is easier to get a hold of between your fingers. The actual tactile notch you feel when adjusting the knobs feels different with ceramic - heavier with less of a click feel at each point. The regular version has a rubberized edge on it that is more functional. This may sound ridiculous, but it really does make a difference. Lastly, the ceramic controls do not match everything else in the car. The trim touches on the dash, steering wheel, the vents, little touches on the door window controls, control display frame, etc. are all in silver trim that matches the regular controls. The $600+ ceramic controls are only changing 5 items – climate (2), volume, iDrive dial and shift frame. Unfortunately, it came along with the Executive Package in the US on my 5.0 – I apparently had no choice. This is just my personal opinion though.

In agreement with others - the temperature does not seem to be an issue at all.

[BillK]

Kamichael, you are right. It does sound ridiculous. I love my ceramic option. It gives the car that extra "level" that you'd want in a 70k$ car. As for the lack of illumination, I never noticed. I'll check it out later tonight but if haven't noticed in almost a year of ownership, it can't be that bad.
And in all honesty, I'm a bit upset that this wasn't standard and as an option the price is a bit high.

[kamichael]

Well, I didn't say it was ridiculous - that was Stunnaz. In any event, much of BMW's option pricing is outrageous, I have added upwards of $20k in options on many of the cars I have ordered. The illumination is not a deal breaker, I just prefer it with the illumination and the matching trim. I do agree however that these sort of things should simply be standard on a car in this price range.

[Kzang]

Originally Posted by BillK

Kamichael, you are right. It does sound ridiculous. I love my ceramic option. It gives the car that extra "level" that you'd want in a 70k$ car. As for the lack of illumination, I never noticed. I'll check it out later tonight but if haven't noticed in almost a year of ownership, it can't be that bad.
And in all honesty, I'm a bit upset that this wasn't standard and as an option the price is a bit high.

If you don't know about it then you don't know if you are missing it right?
http://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...ght=knob+light