Azn_C300

So I got a chance to play around with the new command system at the MB R&D NA location that they're considering putting on the 204s. Keep in mind it's just a prototype so may or may not make it to final cut, but was interesting enough to share

1. Eliminating the number pad from the center console. Instead, numbers/letters will be entered via a digital display on the HUD.
2. New display interface scheme on the HUD.
3. New Favorites menu which allows you to on one screen save favorite tasks (like favorite dialed number, favorite GPS location, favorite radio station, etc) like a preset.

burnteggroll

cool.... i would like to see the new interface on the HUD... how different is it (in your opinion)???

jstaneff

I don't use the number pad much, except for radio stations, etc. But, if it becomes a touch-screen, that means:
- I'd have to have to screen up whenever I want to change stations?
- Would the touch-screen be active while driving? Is this akin to texting while triving? (E.g., distractive?)

vic viper

The one thing I hate with touch screens are that they get messed up and dirty very fast..

Azn_C300

never said touch screen. just all display through hud and you access everything through the knob plus some side buttons (there's a favorites button and a dialer button by the knob to bring up the dial pad on hud). i kind of got the impression they were thinkinh of going away with the whole pop up hud display as is was more trouble than it was worth.

Robbio204

Although it is annoying sometimes, they shouldn't get rid of it bc it is really cool

len56

Yeah, I hope they keep the pop up display, and keep the buttons... it makes it much quicker to cycle through favorites

Nuru

Yeah it is kinda cool. However, since i got the NAV option installed on my Instrument Cluster, i have not really used my pop-up display very much at all.

Gee I wish I could get the parts and software to make the Internet acces work like they can i the Nippon Market. i see it in the Engineering Menu, but I was informed that it takes additional H/W and it uses your phone like a modem.

rh71

coming to '11 cars?

chilledbenz

Funny if this would actually happen. All the car magazines have been ripping BMW for doing away with their buttons on the 7 series to the point where they brought them back for the 2010 models. I want a button I can push, I don't want to cycle through menus to do simple tasks such as choosing a radio station preset. Bad idea, but as mentioned its just a prototype. As far as the whole pop up screen, I think they have learned their lesson from that and it will be disappearing shortly, just look at the new models coming out and you'll get an idea where they are heading with the screens.

RLE

Head up display? Where is it?

Azn_C300

I mentioned also to them to keep the button option because of the efficiency aspect. Was faster for me to click through the buttons as opposed to scrolling through numbers/letters.....especially while driving.

Obviously, it's not a real HUD, but that's what they're calling the screens.