'11 X5/X6 Steering Wheel Buttons
 

Is there anyone besides who thinks the next audio source and recirculate buttons on the steering wheel are next to useless?

I really miss the assignable buttons from my '07 X6!

I sure would like to be able to assign turning on/off the side view cameras from the steering wheel instead of having to reach all the way down on the console to press the button

I find that the programmable buttons on my 07 X5 next to useless and never use them. Personally I would like to be able to programme them with a speed a limit for the cruise control.

I'm still getting used to it, but I don't care for the behavior of the audio buttons much to begin with (steering wheel or otherwise).

I'm used to being able to hold down PREVIOUS or NEXT and getting, say, the previous/next CD, but no. Audio Source is SORTA useful, but it's REMARKABLY squishy and I don't use it much. It's good because it will switch between radio and CD/Library but the behavior does not seem consistent and I can't figure the pattern out.

The documentation - unless I'm just missing something - is good at explaining the basics, but little else.

I just wish I could easily get from one album to the next. Or even if NAV could be a "source." (so I can switch to it easily - it's true that the iDrive buttons are not really located in the perfect spot)

The other buttons are fine - in more or less the right places, easy to use but not not intrusive.

It would be nice to have my Park Distance Control somewhere else - I notice it's right next to the shifter on the 5 series.

There are 6 assignable buttons on the dash right under the CD slot. They do not have to be audio presets.

The air-recirc button on the steering wheel is actually just a placeholder for vehicles not equipped with Lane Departure Warning. So for people who order that option, that button is more useful, turning the system on/off.

BMW has unfortunately gotten away from engineering buttons with a more tactile feel. On my old X3, everything from all steering wheel buttons, to the foglamp switch, to even the heated seat buttons, had a nice detent or "click" (not necessarily audible) to it.