Ceramic Controls

HansRobert · 07-23-2014, 11:25 AM

For those who have ordered this option for $650 would you do it again? For those who chose not to opt for it are you happy with your decision?

This is one of the items I am unsure of and looking for opinions.

Thanks!

ch1731 · 07-23-2014, 11:27 AM

I have them and think its a nice touch to the interior. But if I was debating between this and another option and could only choose one I would skip it.

Clay

SpeedN8 · 07-23-2014, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HansRobert

For those who have ordered this option for $650 would you do it again? For those who chose not to opt for it are you happy with your decision?

This is one of the items I am unsure of and looking for opinions.

Thanks!

I'd do it again. It's something you'll touch every time you're in your car. I didn't get it on my last X5 and I regretted it. Same with the leather dash.

busta1978 · 07-23-2014, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HansRobert

For those who have ordered this option for $650 would you do it again? For those who chose not to opt for it are you happy with your decision?

This is one of the items I am unsure of and looking for opinions.

Thanks!

I definitely contemplated it but skipped it in the end. I just thought that the aluminium look of the i-drive controller together with the aluminium look of the gear lever matched the other aluminium trims already in the interior like the strips on the door and the door levers.....just felt like it made sense to keep the look like it was part of a family....

Plus I thought if ceramic controls were standard and the aluminium was an option one would definitely be wanting that....we are never satisfied

I spent my money on leather dash (best decision ever!!) plus active steering and HK sound system....among other fun options....

Karthik · 07-23-2014, 12:00 PM

I had this option enabled until a week before I ordered the vehicle. I skipped it after looking at other models which has ceremic controls.

I just thought its not worth it. Its my personnel opinion.

Kzang · 07-23-2014, 12:07 PM

For $650.00 it's a no brainer... Ceramic just feels better and looks better IMO.

stewy604 · 07-23-2014, 12:11 PM

Feels and looks WAY better IMO. I drove a 328i a few weeks ago as a service loaner, and it did not have this option. I hated the feel of the controls. Ok, 'hate' might be too strong of a word...but I've grown accustomed to my ceramic controls.

Kzang · 07-23-2014, 12:15 PM

Yeah everyone's opinion is very different. Whats awesome to one is bleh to others.. Some people drive the X5 very conservative while others "DRIVE" the X5.... its all about choices and options and that is what is great about BMW...

Armen383 · 07-23-2014, 12:21 PM

Ceramic controls + full leather interior (dash, etc.) = the only way to go. In fact I wish BMW started offering more leather options/packages when you could wrap even the steering column into it like Porsche. Completely changes the feeling you get from the car. Completely.

sand99 · 07-24-2014, 11:04 AM

The ceramic controls have a more tactile/clicky feel to them. I like it, as it makes it easier to scroll through the menus in iDrive.

I like the dark, glossy look of the ceramic controls too. Looks sharp. I wish the gear selector and other bits matched it, hence why I think it's a little overpriced at $650.

I'd do it again in a heartbeat though.

Buckerine · 07-24-2014, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by busta1978

I definitely contemplated it but skipped it in the end. I just thought that the aluminium look of the i-drive controller together with the aluminium look of the gear lever matched the other aluminium trims already in the interior like the strips on the door and the door levers.....just felt like it made sense to keep the look like it was part of a family....

Plus I thought if ceramic controls were standard and the aluminium was an option one would definitely be wanting that....we are never satisfied

I spent my money on leather dash (best decision ever!!) plus active steering and HK sound system....among other fun options....

Agreed. I honestly don't think ceramic controls adds that much. The leather dash is much better bang for the buck in terms of visual impact, even if it is slightly more than the ceramic controls.

HansRobert · 07-24-2014, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buckerine

Agreed. I honestly don't think ceramic controls adds that much. The leather dash is much better bang for the buck in terms of visual impact, even if it is slightly more than the ceramic controls.

Although the ceramic controls are very nice, after seeing and feeling it "in the flesh" I have decided that the $650 is better spent elsewhere. The leather dash, however, is a must have!

Thanks for everyone's input!

Jenya B · 07-24-2014, 11:20 PM

this is mine and i like it

bav29 · 07-25-2014, 01:14 AM

I too love them. Would be one of the first options I choose on my next!

wdimagineer · 07-25-2014, 01:20 AM

I will always add ceramic controls when available. They feel and look better to me than the silver plastic. I wish they were available in M cars.

I did not order them in my 550 and retrofitted them. I had to replace the entire AC panel both front and rear, and the radio panel. Some $2500 in parts for a $650 option. It's definitely worth it.

1230vani · 07-25-2014, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HansRobert

For those who have ordered this option for $650 would you do it again? For those who chose not to opt for it are you happy with your decision?

This is one of the items I am unsure of and looking for opinions.

Thanks!

Get it! I love that option

Propofoln · 07-25-2014, 09:06 AM

Ceramic controls FTW

BKMK5 · 07-25-2014, 12:22 PM

I have ceramic controls on the X5 and got in the F80 M3 for a test drive and felt like the controls were from a Toyota. Wish they would add ceramic controls to the new M3.

Zipforia · 07-28-2014, 01:04 AM

Looked like a shinnier plastic to me. Skipped it as well. Shows you priorities are different for everyone.

Z.

rlemek · 07-28-2014, 08:52 AM

I love how it looks love the feel of it. I will def get this option every single time. really enhances the look of the interior!

AEC · 07-28-2014, 10:38 AM

For me, it wasn't so much how the ceramic controls looked, but instead how they felt. The ceramic controls have a much better tactile feel. Much more substantial than the standard controls.

Definitely try to experiment with both at your BMW dealer and see if the difference is big enough to warrant the $650. For me, it was.

cy07 · 07-28-2014, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zipforia

Looked like a shinnier plastic to me. Skipped it as well. Shows you priorities are different for everyone.

Z.

Exactly my thought.

07-23-2014, 11:25 AM	#1
HansRobert First Lieutenant 71 Rep 315 Posts Drives: 2016 X5 xDrive 40e Join Date: May 2014 Location: South Central PA iTrader: (0)	Ceramic Controls For those who have ordered this option for $650 would you do it again? For those who chose not to opt for it are you happy with your decision? This is one of the items I am unsure of and looking for opinions. Thanks!
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

07-23-2014, 11:27 AM	#2
ch1731 New Member 0 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 2014 X5d Join Date: May 2014 Location: Moss Beach, Ca. iTrader: (0)	I have them and think its a nice touch to the interior. But if I was debating between this and another option and could only choose one I would skip it. Clay
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-23-2014, 12:00 PM	#5
Karthik Private First Class 8 Rep 179 Posts Drives: 2015 x35i M Sport Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Missouri iTrader: (0)	I had this option enabled until a week before I ordered the vehicle. I skipped it after looking at other models which has ceremic controls. I just thought its not worth it. Its my personnel opinion.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-23-2014, 12:07 PM	#6
Kzang Major General 3240 Rep 5,066 Posts Drives: 2015 X5 35i Msport SG Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: East Coast iTrader: (0)	For $650.00 it's a no brainer... Ceramic just feels better and looks better IMO.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-23-2014, 12:11 PM	#7
stewy604 Lieutenant Colonel 290 Rep 1,547 Posts Drives: 2014 BMW X5 xDrive 35d M Sport Join Date: May 2014 Location: Vancouver, B.C. iTrader: (0)	Feels and looks WAY better IMO. I drove a 328i a few weeks ago as a service loaner, and it did not have this option. I hated the feel of the controls. Ok, 'hate' might be too strong of a word...but I've grown accustomed to my ceramic controls. __________________ 2014 BMW X5 xDrive 35d M Sport Mineral White 2011 BMW 135i M Sport Space Grey 2007 Suzuki GSX-R 750
	Appreciate 0 Quote

		BMW X5 and X6 Forum (F15/F16) > BMW X5 (F15) and BMW X6 (F16) Forum > BMW X5 and X6 (F15/F16) Forum
Ceramic Controls

07-23-2014, 12:15 PM	#8
Kzang Major General 3240 Rep 5,066 Posts Drives: 2015 X5 35i Msport SG Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: East Coast iTrader: (0)	Yeah everyone's opinion is very different. Whats awesome to one is bleh to others.. Some people drive the X5 very conservative while others "DRIVE" the X5.... its all about choices and options and that is what is great about BMW...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-23-2014, 12:21 PM	#9
Armen383 First Lieutenant 83 Rep 346 Posts Drives: Mercedes-Benz E63S Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Limassol iTrader: (0)	Ceramic controls + full leather interior (dash, etc.) = the only way to go. In fact I wish BMW started offering more leather options/packages when you could wrap even the steering column into it like Porsche. Completely changes the feeling you get from the car. Completely.
	Appreciate 1 Quote

07-24-2014, 11:04 AM	#10
sand99 Second Lieutenant 92 Rep 247 Posts Drives: G05 X5/F80 M3 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: ATX iTrader: (0)	The ceramic controls have a more tactile/clicky feel to them. I like it, as it makes it easier to scroll through the menus in iDrive. I like the dark, glossy look of the ceramic controls too. Looks sharp. I wish the gear selector and other bits matched it, hence why I think it's a little overpriced at $650. I'd do it again in a heartbeat though.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-24-2014, 11:20 PM	#13
Jenya B Lieutenant 144 Rep 525 Posts Drives: Z4 , X5 F15d Msport Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	this is mine and i like it
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-25-2014, 01:14 AM	#14
bav29 Private 25 Rep 75 Posts Drives: G05 M50i on order Join Date: May 2014 Location: Upminster iTrader: (0)	I too love them. Would be one of the first options I choose on my next! Attached Images
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-25-2014, 01:20 AM	#15
wdimagineer Major 358 Rep 1,377 Posts Drives: 2015 X5 M Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: San Francisco, CA iTrader: (0)	I will always add ceramic controls when available. They feel and look better to me than the silver plastic. I wish they were available in M cars. I did not order them in my 550 and retrofitted them. I had to replace the entire AC panel both front and rear, and the radio panel. Some $2500 in parts for a $650 option. It's definitely worth it. __________________ Current: 2015 X5 M - Donington Grey/Mugello Red - DINANTRONICS Stage 2 + Free Flow Exhaust - Bimmerpost Featured! Past: Bimmerpost Featured 2014 X5 xDrive50i · 2014 Jeep SRT · 2013 Tesla Model S P85+ · Bimmerpost Featured 2013 F10 M5 · 2012 550 xDrive · 2011 M3 ZCP
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-25-2014, 09:06 AM	#17
Propofoln Speedster 50 Rep 277 Posts Drives: 2023 BMW X7 M60i Join Date: May 2014 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (0)	Ceramic controls FTW
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-25-2014, 12:22 PM	#18
BKMK5 First Lieutenant 29 Rep 344 Posts Drives: 2019 MB C43 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	I have ceramic controls on the X5 and got in the F80 M3 for a test drive and felt like the controls were from a Toyota. Wish they would add ceramic controls to the new M3. __________________ 2014 BMW X5 50i M Sport TOTALED-2013 Mercedes-Benz GL450 SOLD-2013 Porsche Cayenne S SOLD-2011.5 ///M3 Sedan ZCP SOLD-2008 E90 335i Sport
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-28-2014, 01:04 AM	#19
Zipforia Captain 98 Rep 693 Posts Drives: 2016 BMW i8 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: So. Cal. iTrader: (0)	Looked like a shinnier plastic to me. Skipped it as well. Shows you priorities are different for everyone. Z. __________________ 2016 BMW I12 \| 2017 Honda FK8
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-28-2014, 08:52 AM	#20
rlemek Private First Class 29 Rep 139 Posts Drives: 2014 X5 M-sport Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Naples, FL iTrader: (0)	I love how it looks love the feel of it. I will def get this option every single time. really enhances the look of the interior!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-28-2014, 10:38 AM	#21
AEC Lieutenant 119 Rep 402 Posts Drives: 2020 X5 xDrive 40i M Sport Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: MN iTrader: (0)	For me, it wasn't so much how the ceramic controls looked, but instead how they felt. The ceramic controls have a much better tactile feel. Much more substantial than the standard controls. Definitely try to experiment with both at your BMW dealer and see if the difference is big enough to warrant the $650. For me, it was.
	Appreciate 0 Quote